Leboku facts for kids

The Leboku festival is a special annual event for the Yakurr people in Cross River State, Nigeria. The word "Leboku" means "festival" in their language. It's also known as the New Yam Festival because it celebrates the start of the yam harvest.

This festival is very important to five main Yakurr communities: Ugep, Idomi, Ekori, Mkpani, and Nko. Each community has its own special day for the celebration. For example, Ugep celebrates Lemomor boku, Idomi has Lelomi boku, Ekori celebrates Lekoli boku, Mkpani has Lekpanikpani boku, and Nko celebrates Lekakaa boku.

The Leboku festival honors the earth goddess and the spirits of the ancestors. It's a three-week celebration that marks the yam harvest, a time to thank the gods, and a period for families to visit each other. It also brings peace, good health, and good fortune to the community. The Yakurr calendar runs from August to July, and Leboku usually happens from mid-August to mid-September. During this time, people take a break from hard farming work.

Celebrating Leboku: A Three-Week Festival

The Leboku festival lasts for three weeks and is filled with many exciting events.

Mblemi: Kicking Off the Harvest

The celebration begins with a day called Mblemi. This day officially marks the start of harvesting new yams. Women from different farms and groups dress up beautifully. They then parade through the town, proudly showing off their fresh harvests.

Janenboku: A Day for Women

The second day is called Janenboku, which means "women's festival day." On this day, friends and family give gifts to the women. There are also traditional dances. In the evening, visitors can choose between two fun activities:

• A traditional carnival with drumming and dancing to the rhythm of Ekoi drums. This event welcomes the next day, Ledemboku, and is held in the playground.
• A modern Miss Leboku Beauty Pageant, which takes place in one of the town's hotels.

Ledemboku: A Day for Men and Maidens

Day three is Ledemboku, or "men's festival day." On this day, gifts are given to the men. Male Ekoi dancers perform, and the Obol Lopon (the traditional ruler) and his Bi-Inah (council of chiefs) parade through the town.

A special part of this day is the parade of Leboku maidens. These young women wear leg-bangles that make rhythmic sounds as they dance to the Ekoi drums. The Etangala masquerade also makes its only appearance of the year on this day. The leader of the Etangala group, Chief Ig Ekpenyong, is actually an Efik man, showing how the festival brings different people together.

Leteboku: Poetry and Dance

After a day of rest, called Nkokeboi, the festival continues with Leteboku. This is a poetry contest where Leboku maidens from different parts of Ugep perform. They sing and dance, creating beautiful rhythms with their leg-bangles. It's a truly delightful sight to watch.

Yekpi and Yeponfawa: Peace and Prosperity

Two days after Leteboku, which are usually rest days, comes Yekpi. On Yekpi, boys and Leboku maidens parade through the town. This ceremony is believed to bring peace and good fortune.

Next is Yeponfawa. This is a special ceremony only for members of the Libini group. It marks the end of the first part of the Leboku festival. Even though it happens at night, people who are not part of the group stay awake to listen to the songs.

Egbendum and Oka: Youthful Celebrations

After Yeponfawa, young boys and girls take part in a week of music and dance. The boys have their dance groups called Egbendum, and the girls have theirs called Oka. Each neighborhood has its own group, led by an adult who teaches them songs and dance steps.

Festival's End: A Feast for Children

The Leboku festival concludes when the Egbendum and Oka sessions finish. Children are treated to a special feast of yam porridge and palm wine. The yams and palm wine are gathered from parents, relatives, and farmers in the children's neighborhoods. It's a happy way to end the long celebration.