The Iri-Ji Festival, also known as the New Yam Festival, is a cultural celebration that takes place in various communities across Nigeria, particularly among the Igbo people. The festival is an important event in Igbo culture and is typically held annually to mark the beginning of the yam harvest season.

Yams hold significant cultural and economic importance in many African societies, including the Igbo culture. Yams are considered a staple crop and symbolize prosperity, fertility, and abundance. The Iri-Ji Festival is a way to express gratitude to the deities and ancestors for a successful harvest and to ensure the well-being of the community in the coming year.