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From August to early September each year, Nigeria celebrates a traditional event known as the New Yam Festival. I learned about this festival from my Nigerian friend, Austin.
This celebration originates from the Igbo people in southeastern Nigeria and honors the harvest of the new yam—similar to how we celebrate new potatoes in Japan. It’s a deeply rooted tradition that has been passed down for hundreds of years and remains an important occasion for local communities. The festival is also a time to give thanks to gods and ancestors and to reflect on daily life. Yams, in this context, refer to crops from the Dioscorea genus, similar to Japanese varieties like jinenjo and nagaimo.
On the day of the festival, people dress in vibrant traditional attire and dance to music, enjoying a wide variety of yam-based dishes. Traditional dances, songs, and theatrical performances fill the venue with joy and energy. The sight of children and adults celebrating together speaks to the strong bonds within the community.
“It’s not just a harvest festival,” Austin said warmly. “It’s a time to give thanks for nature’s blessings with family and villagers. Watching this festival reminds me that no matter how busy life gets, we should never forget to say, ‘thank you.’”
His words made me realize that I, too, need to be more grateful—for the meals I eat every day and for the people who support me. Though this culture is from a faraway country, the feeling of gratitude is truly universal.
Augustine Okafor
Nickname: Austin
4th-year student, College of International Management
（Published in the morning edition of the Oita Godo Shimbun on June 24, 2025）
Based on a comprehensive cooperation agreement with Oita Godo Newspaper, since January 2022, Student PR Assistants (SPA) have been contributing their interviews with international students to the life and culture section of the newspaper’s morning edition. SPA will introduce different cultures and the interesting topics they raise from an authentic, student perspective. These student writers take this opportunity to get the newspaper’s readership and students interested in the world. They also aim to improve their skills with the aid of professional editors.
I am Yukina Kiyosue, a 4th year student in the College of International Management (APM) who loves comedy! I commute to APU from the Kunitachi Peninsula, which is rich in nature. I decided to start writing because I was motivated by this university, where there are many people who are willing to try new things and who can seriously devote themselves to something. I will do my best!
Copyright (c) 2016 Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
