1. Overview of Nnewi City - Nnewi City Portal | Anambra State, Nigeria (2023)

Nnewi is an industrial city and the second largest city in Anambra State in southeastern Nigeria. The city is known for producing a diverse range of transport companies, from hauliers to spare parts dealers and manufacturers. It is located about 24 kilometers south of Onitsha and has a population of about 958,000. The city occupies over 2,789 km2 in the state of Anambra. As of 2005, Nnewi Metropolitan Area and its satellite cities are home to nearly 2.5 million residents.

The Nnewi Kingdom is also known as Anaedo, meaning the Land of Gold (the supreme god and goddess of Nnewi).

Geographically, Nnewi falls within the tropical rainforest region of the world. And as such, it suffers from soil leaching and soil erosion. Despite these factors, which have reduced the soil to a porous sandy area, its citizens have survived these harsh conditions through subsistence agriculture and trade.

Before this period, an extensive network of trade routes has developed over the centuries connecting it with the coastal region, the river Igbos and the entire mainland of Igbo (Oru na Igbo). Dimensionally, Nnewi is ahead of all other units and is recognized by the 1953 figures as the largest inland city among all others in the eastern states.

Nnewi is a town in Anambra State, south-central Nigeria. It is located about 24 kilometers south of Onitsha and has a population of about 958,000. Geographically, it falls within the tropical rainforest region of the world. And as such, it suffers from soil leaching and soil erosion.

Despite these factors, which have reduced the soil to a porous sandy area, its citizens have survived these harsh conditions through subsistence agriculture and trade. Prior to this period, an extensive network of trade routes has developed over the centuries connecting it to the coastal region, the river Igbos and the entire mainland of Igbo (Oru na Igbo).

Nnewi is the only town in Nnewi North LGA. It has four villages (sub-towns) that are part of one town's local government, including; Otolo, Uruagu, Umudim and Nnewi-Ichi. The traditional ruler of Nnewi - Igwe of Nnewi - is currently Igwe Kenneth Orizu, the third of whom this royal family hails from Otolo Nnewi, and for this reason is considered first among equals of the four villages.

Other traditional rulers exist in other villages and they oversee the traditional affairs of their respective villages, namely Obi Nnamdi AC Obi (ogidi), Obi Umudim and Obi Onyekaba of Nnewichi.

History

Nnewi as a metropolitan city includes 4 local government areas: Nnewi North, Nnewi South, Ekwusigo and Ihiala Local Government; Nnewi North is commonly referred to as Nnewi Central and consists of four autonomous districts: Otolo, Uruagu, Umudim and Nnewichi. Nnewi North also includes Ichi, an autonomous neighboring city. Each quarter is further divided into villages and family units called Umunna. Each Umunna has a first family known as the obi.

Otolo is the first of four quarters in Nnewi and has been excellent in all aspects of human endeavor. Therein lay the mantle of leadership that has dominated the other neighborhoods in recent decades. Its central success can be found in commercial trade, but is not limited to it, as its cultural heritage has always been the beacon of light for other neighboring villages.

Before the British took control of Nnewi in 1904, Nnewi as a kingdom flourished according to oral tradition for about four to five hundred years. It is believed that the kingdom was founded around the 15th century. Throughout its history, Nnewi has used its military might to maintain and sometimes expand its borders as needed. Buffer zones were established against attacks. She accomplished this without a standing army. Based on the nature of the internal problem, mercenaries from Igboland were deployed to assist in a massacre campaign in the army.

Edo is the supreme god of all gods in Anaedo clans. The central shrine of this unifying deity is Nkwo Nnewi (Central Market). Nnewi, Ichi and Oraifite are members of Anaedo. These communities share common ancestry with regard to their beliefs and their traditional value system. In terms of entertainment and traditional festivities, Afiaolu (New Yam Festival) and Ikwuaru are among the traditional festivals held by Nnewi.

In 1940, the people of Nnewi were at the center of an international trade network that dominated the supply of car parts in Nigeria. The city subsequently became a center for trade and industry and has one of the largest auto parts markets in Africa. Nnewi Township is an authentic 'production marvel'. Small and medium-sized industries have settled in the city and produce not only for the Nigerian market, but – albeit still to a limited extent – for markets abroad. The industrialization of the town began around 1970 when Nnewi motorcycle parts dealers started marketing their own branded products instead of the reproductions of 'original' parts.

The first indigenous car factory in Nigeria is located in the city, while the first fully Nigerian-made motorcycle, the 'NASENI M1', was manufactured in Nnewi. This great city called Nnewi is known for producing great statesmen and trade leaders. The city is also one of Nigeria's major centers of trade and manufacturing. Due to its high commercial activity, the city has attracted millions of migrants from other states and countries.

The vast majority of industrialists in the cluster of spare parts factories in Nnewi are also traders, and most of these traders produce one or more of the products in which they specialize as traders (usually motor vehicle parts), and most of them started by distributing their Products. products through their pre-existing distribution networks.

Nnewi is part of the industrial axis of Eastern Nigeria. The city has expanded through culturally grounded institutions that act as advanced networks and has acquired an international dimension through trade links with exporters from Asia. Over the past ten years, the town of Nnewi has experienced relatively rapid industrialization. There are more than twenty medium to large industries located in various sectors.

Since 1970, Nnewi has been an important trading and manufacturing center in Nigeria. Nnewi residents control about 80 to 90 percent of the motorcycle parts trade in Nigeria. Nnewi (Nkwo) Market is the premier import and wholesale point for motorcycle parts in Nigeria. The industrialists of Nnewi adapt foreign technology to local needs, provide employment to thousands and make available goods and services that are relevant factual needs of the Nigerian citizens. Due to its high commercial activity, the city has attracted millions of migrants from other states and countries.

The Ofala Nnewi is a cultural festival held every year to celebrate the coronation of the Igwe of Nnewi. Afiaolu (New Yam Festival) and Ikwuaru are also among the traditional festivals held annually in Nnewi.

Oral history and mythology

The history of Nnewi dates back to the fifteenth century, when migrants from Benin, Agbaja, Abatete, Ikenga and Ndoni settled in the area and soon became grafted into various lineage groups. Nnewi's organizational structure is configured into four quarters or territories: Otolo, Uruagu, Umudim, and Nnewichi. Each quarter consists of a large lineage group, made up of minor lineages and led by an Obi, the head of the quarter. The four wards in Nnewi were the original names of the sons of Nnewi: Otolo was the eldest and Nnewichi was the youngest of the sons. Edo is the supreme god of all Alusi (Igbo: deity) in the Anaedo kingdom. The central shrine of this unifying Alusi is located in Nkwo Nnewi, the central market. There are four other gods in Nnewi: Ana, Ezemewi, Eze and Ele.

Three of the neighborhoods in Nnewi are connected by the high goddess Edo. However, when missionaries arrived in Nnewi in 1892, the inhabitants gradually converted to Christianity. The C.M.S. The church was the first to come to town and later established schools in Otolo, Nnewi and Uruagu.

The city's central market, Nkwo, established in 1901, is an important spare parts market in the country. It has several sectors dominated by spare parts division, wood and furniture sector, fabric sector and food sector.

Nnewi existed as an independent kingdom from the 15th century until 1904, when the British colonial administration occupied the kingdom. The arrival of British colonial officer Major Moorhouse marked a gradual change with the establishment of civil courts, a royal Nnewi court and the appointment of warrant officers.Igwe Orizu Igot an arrest warrant for Nnewi.

In Nnewi oral history and mythology, the "ewi" (Igbo: forest rat) played a major role in rescuing the Nnewi founding fathers during wars. Nnewi has used its military power to enforce its borders and so killing or eating ewi in Nnewi has been banned to this day. The town's name is a combination of ewi, a term for a rabbit, and nne, mother, meaning Nnewi, mother of rabbits throughout history.

Other version of Nnewi History

There have been several conflicting and controversial versions about the origins and initial migrations of the founding fathers of today's Nnewi city.

The four quarters as the ancestor's version

Some hold that the four quarters of Nnewi were the sons of the man Nnewi, arranged by seniority. According to Professor Awolalu, Otolo, Uruagu, Umudim and Nnewichi were made of chalk (Nzu) in a jar that Chukwu (God) gave to the goddess Edo. According to him, after Chukwu made them in the order of their seniority and breathed His breath into them, the goddess Edo said to them:

“I am the mother of all of you, Nnewi and the land you walk on is Ana-Edo – that is my prize of Chukwu because the Nzu (chalk) with which you are made and with which the land is made is a special privilege and a gift of Chukwu”.

According to him, when these four sons of Nnewi, Otolo, Uruagu, Umudim and Nnewichi, when they grew up, went to Arochukwu, took four sisters and married them. The problem with this version is that the ruling classes in Uruagu and Umudim neighborhoods emigrated to Nnewi from Oba and Ojoto in Idemili local government much later. Area” at a time when Nnewi Town and its monarchy had existed for more than two and a half centuries: and that neither had any historical connection with Arochukwu.

One Isu version stated that after the death of their father Lkenga, when his two sons, Ezeani Isu and his younger brother Nnewi went to consult the Arochukwu oracle at Arochukwu, Nnewi fell in love with an Aro princess. She later became his beloved wife and the mother of DIGBO, the first traditionally crowned Nnewi king. Digbo became the father of Otolo.

According to the version recorded by Okafor, Nnewi had four sons: Otolo. Uruguay. Umudim and Nnewichi. While the names represent the current four wards of Nnewi, historically they do not represent "their chronological order of seniority, as will be proved later." The closing words of Okafor himself: "From the foregoing it seems that Nnewi had no common putative ancestor".

Geography

The town is located near a bypass connecting Port Harcourt to Onitsha, the latter being a few miles from Nnewi.

1. Overview of Nnewi City - Nnewi City Portal | Anambra State, Nigeria (1)

Historically, the Nnewi local division consists of 14 towns. The surrounding population centers are Nnobi, Amichi, Orifite, Ichi, Ozubulu, Ukpo and Ezinifite. The area creates a contiguous and dense settlement of people engaged in agriculture, trade and industry.

Geographically, Nnewi falls within the tropical rainforest region of Nigeria. The city, like most of its surroundings, experiences two main seasons: the rainy season and the dry season, with the occasional instance of damage.

The area is a lowland rainforest with a wide swath of between 130 and 200 km² and is located in the highlands of Awka-Orlu, where outcrops of sandstone and shale have been variously carved by erosion. Although it suffers from leaching and erosion, which has reduced the soil to a porous sandy area in some areas, it remains an area of rich agricultural products and the epicenter of business commerce.

The city is located near the edge of a plateau that slopes down towards the Niger River, and is connected to the coast via Aboh on the Niger and about 22 kilometers southeast of Onitsha in Anambra State, Nigeria.

Government

Nnewi is a town in Anambra State, Nigeria. The state of Anambra is known as home to everyone. The estimated population of the state is about 4 million people. The state capital is Awka. The main cities and towns in the state are Aguata, Awka, Ihiala, Nnewi and Onitsha. The state was established on August 27, 1991, after the exercise of state creation in Nigeria. The state was created from the ancient state of Anambra and takes its name from the Anambra River, which itself is a tributary of the majestic Niger River. Anambra State has two of the largest markets in Nigeria. The markets are the Onitsha Main Market, known as the largest of its kind in the West African sub-region, and the Nnewi (Nkwo) Market, said to be the largest auto parts market in Nigeria. Few states in Nigeria have as many neighbors as Anambra State. The state shares borders with Abia State, Delta State, Enugu State, Imo State, and Kogi State.

The traditional monarch of Nnewi is called theMachine. The Igweship in the Nnewi Kingdom predates the arrival of the Europeans, making it a unique monarchy in Igbo land. The Igbos are known for having no kings, hence the popular Igbo saying Igbo é nwě Eze', meaning 'the Igbos have no king'. In other Igbo clans, the British colonial administrators created commissioned officers who then assumed the office and title of Igwe and are elected to this day. In Nnewi, the Igwe is the ISI obi (head of the Obis) and thus the Igwe, which literally translates as the celestial or highness, as he is the holder of the Ojo, the religious and political symbol. He is born and not made or chosen, and the institution of inheritance is the traditional right and privilege. The position is not transferable or negotiable. He is also an Obi. Obi is the title of the ruling chiefs; it is the equivalent of a duke in the nobility.

The current reigning monarch is His Royal HighnessIgwe Kenneth Onyeneke Orizu III; he is the longest serving monarch in Nigeria and he is currently the20th monarch in the Nnofo Royal line. Igwe Kenneth Orizu III is the First Class Chief in Anambra State from Nnewi and the Deputy Speaker of the Anambra State House of Chiefs.

The traditional rulers of Nnewi

There are Obis in the four clans that make up Nnewi. The tallest and oldest obi is the Obi of Otolo, which is also the Igwe of Nnewi. Chief Nnamdi Obi, Obi Bennett Okafor, and Obi George Onyekaba are the current obis of Uruagu, Umudim, and Nnewichi, respectively. These three obis with Igwe Kenneth Orizu, III as chairman, form the Igwe-in-Council and they deliberate on the spiritual, traditional and communal matters in Nnewi.

There is also an active town association called the Nzuko-Ora Nnewi. It is a forum for adult Nnewi natives (18 years or older) to contribute to the development of Nnewi. This union was created to encourage and promote the establishment of structures and facilities that will promote and improve the quality of life of the people living among the Nnewi people.

Legal system

The ancient Nnewi legal system was not based on a written law. It was pure natural law, involving custom, tradition, and civil and criminal matters. The legal process in Nnewi proceeded through the labyrinth of the extended family system. In the first instance, a report against an offender or criminal had to be made to the head of his family in his family home, known as obi. The head of the family invited the elders and minor obis from his extended family unit to participate in the ruling, while the complainant would also invite the elders and minor obis from his extended family if they were both not from the same family. This obi would serve as a court of first instance, depending of course on the nature of the offense or crime allegedly committed. The process could end here if both the complainant and the defendant were satisfied with the verdict given, or they could refer the case to the next senior obi of the same extended family, in ascending order, until the case was likely to come up. the tallest obi in the line. If the complainant was not satisfied on this point, he could appeal to the ward's obi and his family's leaders could be summoned to defend their judgment.

Guilt or innocence could easily be established through this legal process, as the decision was based purely on natural justice. Penalties for offenses and offenses were given in proportion to their seriousness. A man found guilty of a serious crime may have no choice but to be sold into slavery or expelled from the community for life. He would not be killed because killing people was against Edo Goddess' command.

The court system in Nnewi seems to have recognized three types of cases: the minor offenses, the real criminal case and the civil lawsuits involving debt, dowry and land. Violating the statutes was in reality an offense against a particular juju and as such had to be compensated by a sacrifice. For example, it was forbidden to kill an 'eke' snake, a type of python, or to eat 'ewi', a rodent from the rabbit family. It is likely that these laws were never voluntarily broken, and if they were accidentally broken, the offender would automatically make a sacrifice without any form of legal process taking place. The penal code, with regard to serious crimes, appears to be more developed in Nnewi than elsewhere in Igboland. There were seven main categories of offenses known as ori-obi, offenses against the obi, because their investigations were always conducted in the neighborhood obi.

Politics

In the political arena of Nigeria, Nnewi has contributed many key players in Nigerian politics. Some of the famous Nnewi politicians are

AA Nwafor Orizu; president of the Nigerian Senate in the First Republic and later the acting president before the first coup d'état of 1966,
MCK Ajuluchukwu; a nationalist, anti-colonialist and first republic legislator,
Chief Z.C. Obi (Onunekwuluigbo Igbo); First politician of the republic, President General of Ibo State Union (1951-1966).
Sir Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu, OBE,
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu (Ikemba Nnewi); former military governor of the defunct Eastern Nigeria and president of the defunct Republic of Biafra,
Comrade Dr. Edward Ikem Okeke; Vice President of the PRP and Special Adviser to the President (Second Republic),
Mr FC Nwokedi; the first Nigerian Permanent Secretary,
Dr. Fix Ikedife (Ikenga Nnewi); former president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo,
Professor ABC Nwosu; Former health commissioner in East Central and Anambra State, respectively, and also served as Federal Secretary of Health in the Obasanjo administration
Dr. Chu Okongwu; was a federal finance minister in the government of Babangida.
Dr. David Bennet Anagwu Ofomata; The first Indigenous Medical Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation, first CEO/Chairman Anambra Health Management Board and Chairman old Nnewi LGA;
General Samuel Ifeanyichukwu Momah was a federal minister of science and technology.
Senator Onyeabo Obi (Ose Oji Nnewi) is a federal senator,

Schools

Here is the list of secondary schools in the Nnewi North Local Government Area:

High School for Girls, Nnewi
Maria Regina Model Comprehensive High School, Nnewi
Nnewi middle school, Nnewi
Nigerian Science and Engineering College, Nnewi
Okongwu Memorial Grammar School, Nnewi
Educational Center for Women, Nnewi
Community High School, Nnewichi, Nnewi
Akoboezem Community Secondary School, Uruagu, Nnewi

Economy

Over the past fifty years, Nnewi has embarked on various types of community development programs, including the construction of primary schools, post-primary schools, hospitals, rural electrification and water supply projects. These infrastructures earned its urban status in the early 1970s. In terms of education, Nnewi has 48 primary schools, 6 post-primary schools, 15 hospitals, medical centers and a teaching hospital – Nnamdi Azikiwe University.

In addition to her contribution to Nigerian politics, Nnewi has created a vibrant economy since the civil war. Despite the setback, Nnewi made a great leap forward in economic development during and after the civil war. Ajulu Uzodike (Ozi Uzo Nnewi) was the president

Agbo Edo, a forest area that belonged to the deity Edo Nnewi, was cut down to make way for a new market called Nkwo Nnewi Market. The development of this market stimulated the rapid development of the local economy.

Nkwo Nnewi The auto parts industry started during the civil war. In the early 1980s, the production of cars, spare parts and other goods was added to the economy. These industries have survived through the years thanks to the quality of their products. Their market shares have increased enormously in recent years. Today, Nnewi accounts for more than 23% of the products in the Nigerian market related to motor vehicles and motorcycle spare parts.

As a rapidly developing city and a major industrial and commercial center in Africa, Nnewi experiences extensive financial activity and is therefore home to major banks and other financial institutions. Industries are scattered throughout the city and neighboring towns. Palm oil, cosmetics, spare parts for motorbikes and motorcycles, books and stationery, textiles, electric cables, etc. are produced in the area in commercial quantities. The main centers of trade include Nkwo Nnewi market (the largest spare parts market in West Africa) and Nwafor market, Eke Amaobi market, Eke Ochie, Eke Ichi market, Orie otube market, etc.

To support the aforementioned economic progress, Nnewi currently has six to seven modern hotels that are well-appointed with modern amenities. The main ones are:

Anaedo-pension
Beverly Hills Hotel
CONV-AJ Hotel
Universe Hotel
King's Palace
Regents
Sabena
Jideofo
Ofala Guest House en etc

Agriculture and forestry

The main occupation of the Nnewi people is trading and farming, therefore they mainly depend on agriculture and commerce for their daily livelihood. Most Nnewians have mbubo (home gardens) and ubi (outstation gardens) where they commonly grow their farm produce. When these crops are harvested, they are usually taken to the market for sale. Most of the major cash crops include oil palm, raffia palm, groundnut, melon, cotton, cocoa, rubber, maize, and so on. Food crops such as yam, cassava, cocoyam, breadfruit and three-leaf yam are also produced in large quantities. Nnewi's location in the tropical rainforest gives it the ecological base for the production of a wide variety of tropical agricultural crops with widespread industrial convention potential.

Industries

Nnewi is home to many major indigenous manufacturing industries including Ibeto Group of Companies, Cutix and ADswitch, Uru Industries Ltd, Omata Holdings Ltd, Cento Group of Companies, Coscharis of Companies Group, Innoson Group of Companies, Ebunso Nig. Ltd, John White Industries, Ejiamatu Group of Companies, Chicason Group, Louis Carter Group, etc.

The growth of small and medium-sized engineering and manufacturing companies in the city can be traced to several factors, including location and perceived non-economic social institutions such as family, culture, religion, and trust-inducing affiliations. Many of the companies employ relatives and associates in key positions and use age-old coordinated socio-political-cultural institutions, such as genders, to provide an economic function. Several of the companies started out as trading entities before branching out into manufacturing companies, leveraging technical skills and techniques acquired from Taiwan and a few other Asian countries. They were able to weather the structural adjustment program of the mid to late 1980s, showing significant growth during that period when other companies went bankrupt.

During the emergence of indigenous manufacturing clusters in the city, the corporations acted as state substitutes, often providing their own water, road and electricity services.

Nkwo Nnewi Market is the premier import and wholesale point for motorcycle parts in Nigeria. The industrialists of Nnewi adapt foreign technology to local needs, provide employment to thousands and make available goods and services that are relevant factual needs of the Nigerian citizens. The first indigenous car factory is located in the city, while the first fully Made in Nigeria motorcycle was manufactured in Nnewi by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).

The following are the names of the major manufacturing industries:

Ibeto group of companies
Cutix en ADswitch
Omata Holdings Ltd
Centro group of companies
Coscharis of Business Group
Innoson group of companies
Edison Nig. Ltd
John White Industries MOI Ltd.
John Ray Industries LTD
Luis Carter Industries LTD
Iju Industries LTD and etc

Car parts

Nnewi is known for the vibrant automotive industry in the city. The first Igbo man to own and drive a car was HRH Igwe. Orizu I (Eze Ugbo Onya Mba) in 1912. In 1940, the people of Nnewi were at the center of an international trade network that dominated the supply of motorcycle parts in Nigeria. The city subsequently became a center for trade and industry and has one of the largest auto parts markets in Africa. Nnewi Township is an authentic 'production marvel'. Small and medium-sized industries have settled in the city and produce not only for the Nigerian market, but – albeit still to a limited extent – for markets abroad.

The industrialization of the town began around 1970 when Nnewi motorcycle parts dealers started marketing their own branded products instead of the reproductions of 'original' parts. There are several car and motorcycle parts dealers in Nnewi; The spare parts market of Nnewi Motorcycles is well known throughout West Africa. There is also a new car factory, the first of its kind in Nigeria, owned by a Nnewi businessman, Innocent Chukwuma, Oon and a Chinese car company.

Culture

Nnewi as a historical city has many cultural events and places adorned with festivities and cultural monuments, including Edo Na Ezemewi Shrine, Udoogwugwu Shrine (Ichi), Kamanu Shrine (Ichi) and many other shrines spread across all parts of the town of Nnewi. Nnewi hosts many festivals, most notably including the New Yam (Afiolu, also known as Ifejioku Festival) in which all parts of the city participate and in which masquerades from all the federating cities participate. The festival attracts all kinds of activities and celebrations that all Nnewi residents hold in high esteem.

In the average home of any Nnewi citizen, they usually keep kola nuts, garden eggs, and peanut butter in the fridge, just in case a stranger or visitor comes into their home. Each visit to their home begins with the offering of the kola nuts to the visitor. The kola nut indicates that the visitor is very welcome. The kola nut offering ritual is inspired by offering prayers and blessings or lobbying for the supreme god and other gods, for the protection of the visitor and the host. It seems to be a custom for the people of Nnewi during their traditional ceremonies.

Arts and crafts

Local artists thrive in these municipal rural communities. Works of art produced in the area include carved doors, walking sticks of various designs, sculptures, flutes, wooden mortars and pestles, gongs, and the famous talking drums. Metalworking and various kinds of productions are manufactured locally.

Music

See Igbo music for more details on this topic.

The Nnewi people, like any other Igbo group, have a style of music in which they integrate several percussion instruments: the udu, which is essentially designed from a clay jug; an ekwe, which is formed from a hollowed-out tree trunk; and the oogene, a hand bell designed from wrought iron. Other instruments include opi, a wind instrument similar to the flute, igba, and ichaka.

Traditional marriage

There are three types of marriage in Nnewi, as practiced in Nigerian society: the traditional marriage held in the woman's home; the official wedding, held in a registry office and allowing only one woman; and religious marriage.

The official wedding ceremony is called "Igbankwu", which is the Igbo word for the traditional wedding ceremony. Nnewi does not have an 'engagement ceremony'. Instead, the Igbankwu is preceded by a series of events where the prospective bride and groom's families talk to each other to discuss the terms of the marriage. This can perhaps be characterized as a commitment. Keep in mind that Nigeria has 250 ethnic groups, all of which vary in terms of marriage traditions. Moreover, even more differentiation can take place within groups.

Cultural clothing

The traditional attire for the men is an overstuffed sweater or long-sleeved shirt worn over the gooji wrapper, which is tied around the waist and curves down to the ankles. This dress is combined with a cap and a cane, which helps as a support and defense tool. The traditional dress for women is a blouse worn over a loincloth. This feminine attire goes with earrings and headband necklaces or traditional necklaces

New Yam Festival

In Nnewi, the occasion of Iri-Ji ohuu (eating new yam) is a cultural festival due to its significance. Nnewi people usually celebrate their new yam festival in late August, with a series of festivities marking the eating of new yam. These festivities normally include a lot of varied entertainment, including the performance of ceremonial rituals by the Igwe (king), cultural dances by Igbo men, women and their children, as well as a display of Igbo cultural activities in the form of contemporary shows, masquerade dances, and feasting widely on a wide variety of dishes found on the menu of the Igbos.

On the first day of the festival, the Igwe of Nnewi will lead the harvest thanksgiving ceremony in his palace, where the yams are first offered to the gods and ancestors before being distributed to the villagers. After the prayer of thanksgiving to God, the Igwe eats the first yam as it is believed that his position gives him the privilege of being an intermediary between the Nnewi communities and the gods of the land. The rituals involved in eating the new yam are meant to express the community's appreciation towards the gods for enabling the harvest of their yams. This therefore explains the three aspects of the Igbo worldview: they are pragmatic, religious and appreciative. This ceremony has been celebrated for centuries and, as always, provides the right conditions for everyone, family and friends to come together to show their involvement and solidarity with their local community. Due to this fact, the Igbos all over the world celebrate this event in a very captivating way to protect and celebrate the enriched cultural heritage of her people.