15/09/2026
NTA NEW YAM FESTIVAL: CELEBRATING OUR HERITAGE, HARVEST AND SHARED FUTURE :
Today, the heart of Nta Nselle beats with the rhythm of culture, tradition and togetherness as we celebrate the New Yam Festival, a cherished occasion observed across the Bakor Nation in the Central and Northern parts of Cross River State.
But beyond the colourful attire, the drums, the dances and the delicious taste of freshly harvested yam, lies a deeper meaning: the celebration of who we are, where we come from, and what we can achieve together.
A Celebration of the Land and the Farmer
Yam is not merely a crop. It represents the sweat of our farmers, the richness of our soil, the patience of cultivation and the reward of honest labour. The New Yam Festival reminds us to appreciate the land that feeds us and the people whose dedication sustains our communities.
It is also an opportunity to reflect on food security, agricultural productivity and the need to encourage our young people to see farming not only as a tradition, but as a pathway to enterprise, employment and sustainable development.
A Celebration of Unity and Belonging
Festivals such as this bring families, clans, elders, youths, women, friends and visitors together. They create opportunities to reconnect, settle differences, strengthen relationships and renew the bonds of brotherhood.
For Nta and the wider Bakor Nation, this is a powerful reminder that our strength is not in our differences, but in our shared identity, collective responsibility and willingness to stand together.
When a community celebrates together, it creates a stronger sense of belonging. When its people work together, it creates the foundation for progress.
A Bridge Between Generations
The New Yam Festival provides a living classroom where our children and young people can learn from the wisdom of elders, understand the meaning of traditional practices, appreciate indigenous music, dance, dress and food, and discover the stories that shaped our people.
A culture that is celebrated is more likely to be remembered. A culture that is taught is more likely to survive. And a culture that is documented, promoted and passed on becomes a lasting inheritance for generations yet unborn.
A Platform for Community Development
Beyond celebration, a well-organised cultural festival can create meaningful opportunities for:
Local economic activity: Farmers, traders, artisans, food vendors, transporters and small businesses can benefit from increased patronage.
Tourism and cultural promotion: Visitors from within and outside Cross River State can discover the beauty, hospitality and heritage of Nta and the Bakor Nation.
Youth engagement: Young people can participate in cultural performances, creative arts, volunteering, entrepreneurship and community initiatives.
Women’s empowerment: Women’s contributions to agriculture, food preparation, crafts, commerce and cultural preservation can be recognised and strengthened.
Community networking: Indigenes at home and in the diaspora can reconnect, share ideas and support development initiatives.
Peace and social cohesion: Shared celebrations can encourage dialogue, mutual respect and a stronger commitment to peaceful coexistence.
Indeed, the festival can become more than an annual gathering. It can serve as a platform for mobilising ideas, resources and partnerships for the development of Nta and the wider Bakor Nation.
What Do We Stand to Gain as a Community?
We stand to gain a stronger identity, a more united people, greater appreciation for our heritage, increased visibility for our communities and renewed commitment to development.
We stand to gain opportunities to promote our agricultural potential, support local enterprise, attract visitors, encourage investment and inspire our youths to become active participants in the future of our land.
But perhaps the greatest gain is the reminder that a community’s future is shaped not only by what it celebrates, but by what it chooses to do together after the celebration.
As we enjoy the New Yam Festival, let us also ask ourselves:
How can we preserve our culture while embracing progress?
How can we turn our agricultural heritage into greater economic opportunities?
How can we ensure that our children inherit not only our traditions, but also a better future?
How can we make unity, peace and collective responsibility the foundation of our development?
From the farm to the festival ground, from our elders to our youths, from Nta Nselle to every corner of the Bakor Nation, the message is clear: our heritage is our strength, and our unity is our future.
May this New Yam Festival bring renewed hope, peace, prosperity and greater development to Nta Nselle, the Bakor Nation and Cross River State.
May our farmers be strengthened, our families blessed, our communities united and our cultural heritage preserved for generations to come.
Happy New Yam Festival to the good people of Nta Nselle and the entire Bakor Nation!
Our Culture. Our Heritage. Our Shared Responsibility.
