Yam cultivation is a significant agricultural activity in Nigeria. Some major yam-producing states include Adamawa, Nasarawa, Benue, Cross River and Plateau states. In Nigeria, yam is typically grown on smallholder farms using traditional methods, with some adoption of modern techniques. Normally, the yams are planted between April and July when rainfall is abundant, and harvested between October and January, with the peak period being November and December. In the peak season, yams are fresher, of better quality, and cheaper. Common species of yam grown in Nigeria include White Guinea, Yellow Guinea, and Water Yam.

Culinary Uses of Yam

Yams are a versatile food crop used in many ways. Here are some common uses of yams by Nigerians:

• Boiled or roasted: Yams are boiled or roasted and served as a side dish, often with sauces or stews.
• Pounded yam (fufu): Boiled yams are pounded into a thick paste and served with soups like egusi, okra, or light soup.
• Yam porridge, known locally as Asaro: A thick, flavorful porridge made from yams, onions, peppers, and spices.
• Yam and vegetable stews: Yam can be combined with vegetables and spices to make delicious stews.
• Yam flour (elubo): Dried and ground yams are used as flour for making baked goods like yam bread, cake, and pancakes, or as a thickening agent.
• Yam in soups: Yams can be added to soups like pepper soup, bitter leaf soup, or egusi soup for added flavor and nutrition.

Traditional Uses

In Nigeria, as in many other African countries, yams are not just a food staple; they also hold spiritual, cultural, and symbolic importance. The crop plays a significant role in traditional ceremonies such as festivals, weddings, traditional rituals, and harvest celebrations. Here are some traditional uses of yams in Nigeria.

• Festivals: Nigerians celebrate several yam festivals to showcase the cultural significance of yams in the Nigerian society. Some yam festivals in Nigeria include the New Yam Festival, locally known as Iri Ji, which is celebrated by Igbo people in August or September to mark the beginning of the new yam harvest season. The Igala people celebrate the Iwaji Festival in October to mark the beginning of the yam harvest season and honour their ancestors. Additionally, the Efik people celebrate the Ekpe Festival in either September or October to celebrate the yam harvest.

• Marriage Ceremony: Yams are sometimes used as part of the bride's wealth payment during traditional weddings. For example, in a typical traditional Igbo marriage ceremony, the groom’s family presents yams, along with kola nuts and palm wine, to the bride’s family. The yams symbolize respect, appreciation, and a promise for a prosperous married life. This act of presenting yams during Igbo weddings is considered a way of strengthening the bond between the two families, signifying their commitment to supporting each other in life.
• Ancestral worship: Yams are offered to the gods and ancestors as sacrifices and used in rituals for fertility, prosperity, and protection.
•  Fertility rites: Yams are used in fertility rites to ensure a good harvest and abundance.
• Naming ceremonies: Yams are used in naming ceremonies to symbolize growth and development.
• Traditional medicine: Yams are used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments, such as diarrhea, fever, and skin conditions.

The importance of yam to the people of Nigeria cannot be overstated. It is a source of daily sustenance and wealth, a cultural symbol, and a part of life’s special celebrations.

REFERENCE

Information from https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/109051587138119387/yam-consumption-and-production-in-nigeria, https://resonate.travel/homegrown-yams-significance-in-nigeria/ and https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20240805-the-ancient-lore-of-the-humble-yam was used in this story