A Nigerian community in Sunderland, otherwise known as Ndi Igbo Sunderland, brought colour, music, and tradition to the city, as they celebrated the New Yam Festival.
The Iri Ji festival is an annual cultural event marking harvest and thanksgiving.
The event, which is one of the most significant in the Igbo calendar, was held in Sunderland with traditional dances, drumming, prayers, and a feast.
The Mayor and Councillor of Sunderland, alongside other dignitaries graced the occasion.
Sunderland Mayor and Cllr, Ehthesham Haque delivering a speech at the Ndi Igbo New Yam Festival in Sunderland. The Giste
Speaking at the event, Cllr. Ehthesham Haque said:“My experience has been absolutely amazing. From the food, music and the people. Culture is what binds us together as human beings, and festivals such as this remind us of the strength that comes when communities share their traditions openly.
Also, culture is not a wall that separates us , it is a bridge that brings us closer. Sunderland is proud of its diversity, and proud of Ndi Igbo Sunderland for enriching our shared life together.”
Cllr. Haque also noted that: “This event shows that when we come together, whether as neighbours, friends, or colleagues, we build not just bridges, but a stronger and more welcoming city for all.”
Meanwhile, Chairman of the group, Nnamdi Obaji reflected on the wider significance of the New Yam Festival, saying:“The New Yam Festival we celebrate what the Igbo call Ịri Ji is an ancient ritual that ends one farming cycle and begins another. It’s the moment we give thanks to God, to our ancestors, to the Earth, for the protection through planting, rains, labour, and hope.
“For us Igbos, the yam is not just food, it is the king of crops. It carries meaning, patience, resilience, identity. We hold the first yam, bless it, offer it before we eat, to recognise the mystical and communal spirit that sustains us.
Members of Ndi Igbo Sunderland group. Photo: The Giste
“But this festival is not only for us who were born Igbo. For immigrants and children born here, it is a way to remember, to root ourselves.”
Dr. Obaji added that Culture teaches values, gratitude, respect, unity, that do not vanish “even if you live far from your ancestral land.”
“When we share our Iri Ji here in Sunderland, we invite everyone into our space, that belonging does not mean losing one’s heritage, but living with both.”
Chairman of the event, Eze Ifeanyi, “To me, this festival is a reminder of who we are. It connects me to my ancestors and to the land of my birth, even while I live here in the UK. “
“In a world where identity can be easily lost, festivals like this ground us, teaching our children that they come from a people with values, history It tells me that our culture is not bound by geography. It lives wherever we, the Igbo people, gather”, he added.
Members of the Ndi Igbo community.
“This gathering roots us in gratitude and reminds us that though we live in a new land, we remain Ndi Igbo, strong, proud, and united.”, and dignity.”
Kelechi Ejelonu-Victor, member of the group spoke about what the festival means to her family:
“For my children, this is not just about food and dance. It is about learning who they are and being proud of it. They will grow up, yes, but they must also grow up knowing the beauty of their Igbo heritage.
“This festival is about learning who they are and being proud of it. If they understand their roots, they will never feel lost, no matter where life takes them. Events like this make that possible.
The mother-of two also said: “The songs, the attire, the prayers, the taste of yam dipped in palm oil, all these are lessons that cannot be taught in classrooms. They show my children, and others like them, that you can belong in two places at once.
Kelechi and Ejelonu Victor.
Ms. Ejelonu-Victor added that beyond her family, the festival to her is about cultural integration.
“When our neighbours in Sunderland come here, they are welcomed to share our food, hear our music, and see our traditions. It becomes a two-way exchange, we give part of ourselves, and in turn, we build stronger friendships with those around us. That is how community grows,” she added.
The day ended with the symbolic breaking of the yam, shared among the community and guests.
For Ndi Igbo Sunderland, it was not just the marking of a new harvest, but a sign of hope, unity, and belonging in their adopted home.
Godstime David is a Nigerian multimedia journalist based in the UK, with several years of experience covering investigative stories, particularly in fraud and financial misconduct as well as insightful community reporting.
She is an NCTJ-accredited journalist, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and a Master’s degree in Journalism.
Beyond the newsroom, Godstime is a skilled communications strategist, passionate about creating compelling content that resonates with diverse audiences.
A self-proclaimed foodie with a soft spot for flavours, Godstime balances her love for great food with a commitment to staying fit and eating healthy. She believes indulgence and wellness can go hand in hand."
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3 comments
Kelechi Ejelonu-Victor
Oh yes that me. Mrs Kelechi Ejelonu-Victor, I live for cultural literacy, heritage and preservation. I love to display culture in its richness and also share my cultural heritage with my host community. I love the UK and have imbibed their culture and I will love to integrate mine to my host community as well, to continue to build a diverse community where beauty shines through our differences…
Oh wonderful, Mrs Kelechi Ejelonu-Victor! That’s such a beautiful vision. Your passion for cultural literacy, heritage, and preservation truly shines through. The way you embrace the richness of your own culture while also valuing and integrating with your host community in the UK is inspiring.
Wow! This is pure culture across borders. I see Mrs Kelechi Ejelonu of Culture Across borders. She’s been fantastic with arts and culture in Sunderland
Kelechi Ejelonu-Victor
Oh yes that me. Mrs Kelechi Ejelonu-Victor, I live for cultural literacy, heritage and preservation. I love to display culture in its richness and also share my cultural heritage with my host community. I love the UK and have imbibed their culture and I will love to integrate mine to my host community as well, to continue to build a diverse community where beauty shines through our differences…