The 2022 New Yam celebration of the Boki nation may have come and gone, but the worthy memories will leave for a long time.
For years, Boki 2 State Constituency was under siege by a militia group that held the constituency to ransome. This militia group reigned in Boki 2 for years, branding AK47, cutlasses and other weapons to deter whoever stood against them. They killed innocent citizens, sent some on exile, burnt down houses, left others with amputated legs and hands while some traditional chiefs were dethroned and their loyalist installed.
The activities of this sect could not allow for any major gathering within the constituency, people were afraid to assembly in large numbers, night life and social activities were also lost. The media space was saturated with with too many gory pictures and negative stories emanating from the deadly activities of this then militia sect.
But, he who kills by the sword, dies by the sword, hence the kingpin and his lieutenant were killed like cockroaches.
In view of returning back the lost glory of the constituency, Hon. Bisong sponsored the first ever large gathering of Boki sons and daughters to come together and participate in different events on the festival day.
Speaking to newsmen at the end of the celebration, Hon. Bisong said that the objective was to unite Boki 2, promote unity, foster peace and prosperity and above all, keep the festivity alive.
The festival, the first of its kind, witnessed a mass participation from all the wards of Boki 2.
There were several competitions; ranging from best farmer, best dressed masquerade, best dance masquerade, best farmer from each ward amongst others.
Cash prizes were given to the respective winners to boost their participation and harvest ahead of the next edition.
The lawmaker has received hundreds of commendation for using the festival to re-unite Boki 2.
The origin of the Bokyi new yam festival celebration is traced to 1957 by the Late Ambassador Matthew Tawo Mbu, the Otu Agrinya one of Boki Nation.
Late Ambassador M.T. Mbu having considered the importance of yam as the King of food crops in Africa, decided to sell the idea to illustrious sons and daughters of Bokyi on the need to celebrate yam as the King of the nation's food crop.
This idea led to the emergence of 18th August of every year as the new yam celebration day, the first of its Kind in 1957.
Subsequent celebrations have been marked with traditional rites and social merriments. During the celebration, the elders appease the gods of harvest and protection early in the morning before the members of the community are allowed
to taste the yam.
The first form of the eating is the boiled yam and salt after which the yam is pounded and eaten with Bokyi Traditional soup "THE ERURU OR
BENI SEED SOUP' which are served with palm wine in a native calabash.
This palm wine is taken after the meal to wash down the food. Traditionally, there is always the exchange of food among members of the community to signify oneness, unity and love among members.
At sunset, community members visit their love ones on their best dresses, children also put on
new cloths bought for them by their parents or guidance on the occasion to visit friends and relatives whom are close to them.
Various form of traditional dances
and cultural displays such as ATAM MASQUERADE , ENYIATU, AKATA, OBAM, AGUT and many others are performed to remember great Bokyi farmers,
fallen heros and warriors.
The wrestling competitions are also carried out and
prizes awarded to winners on the bases of age grades. The finals of football competitions are played and trophies are awarded to winners to encourage talented youths for future career.
After the celebration, people return to their homes to rest and to continue the reminisce on the 19th of August.
However, the end of 18th August does not end the
celebration, everyone continue celebrating according to his wish and capability.
Conclusively, the Bokyi New Yam Festival is worth a national outlook.
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