30/08/2025
Anticipating and Celebrating the Tiv New Yam Festival in Benue State
The New Yam Festival is one of the most cherished and colorful celebrations in Tiv land, Benue State. It is more than just a feast; it is a moment of gratitude, renewal, unity, and pride in the rich cultural heritage of the Tiv people. As the season approaches, excitement fills the air across towns and villages, with expectations of dances, songs, traditional displays, and communal joy. This year, all roads will lead to Old Barn Hotels and Resorts, Gboko, on 27th September 2025, where Tiv sons and daughters, friends, and visitors will gather to honor this age-old tradition in grand style.
For the Tiv people, yam is not just a crop, it is a symbol of life, wealth, and sustenance. The New Yam Festival marks the end of the farming season and the beginning of a new agricultural cycle. Families and communities gather to thank God (Aondo) for a fruitful harvest and to seek blessings for the seasons ahead. It is a time when elders, farmers, and youths come together to acknowledge hard work and resilience, celebrating the dignity of labor that has always defined Tiv identity.
One of the most anticipated parts of the festival is the cultural display. Tiv traditional dancers in colorful anger (woven cloth) showcase energetic swange dance steps, accompanied by rhythmic beats of drums and flutes. Chiefs and elders sit in honor while young men and women participate in performances that tell the story of Tiv strength and unity. The sharing of roasted and pounded yam symbolizes hospitality and togetherness, reminding everyone of the value of community.
The New Yam Festival is also an opportunity to promote Tiv cultural heritage beyond the boundaries of Benue State. It attracts visitors, tourists, and cultural enthusiasts from across Nigeria and even beyond. By celebrating it with pride, the Tiv people preserve their traditions while opening doors for cultural tourism and economic growth. The festival promotes peace, unity, and cultural awareness, especially among the younger generation who are encouraged to value their roots in a fast-changing world.
Amongst the prominent dignitaries expected to grace the occasion are Dr. Jeffery Kuraun and his wife, Mrs. Torkwase Kuraun, alongside other notable sons and daughters of Benue who continue to promote the culture and unity of Tiv land. Their presence will add color, prestige, and inspiration to the festival, as the people come together to celebrate both tradition and progress.
As Tiv land prepares once again for this year’s New Yam Festival at Old Barn Hotels and Resorts, Gboko, on 27th September 2025, there is much to anticipate—colorful attire, joyful dances, tasty meals, and the warm spirit of unity. It is not only a celebration of the yam harvest but also a reaffirmation of Tiv resilience, strength, and cultural pride. The festival reminds us all that heritage is a treasure to be cherished and passed on to generations to come.
This year, let us celebrate with open hearts, honor our traditions, and promote Tiv culture for the world to see. The New Yam Festival is not just an event; it is a living legacy of the Tiv people, one that deserves to be celebrated with pride and promoted with passion.
