According to the Umorotutu Leboku New Yam 2025 timetable released by bi Inahs in Council, the preliminary activities of the Ugep international Leboku New Yam Festival commence today 3rd July, 2025. The Obol Leboku of Ugep Obol Patrick Ubi Abam will commence the Leboku activities by visiting farm roads in Ugep to collect palm wine from palm wine tappers freely. This activity will end on the 1st of August, 2025.
2nd August, 2025 the Leboku Chief Priest will perform a significant function of the Leboku Kepeli – the heralding of the Leboku New Yam Festival. On this day, the girls and boys will wrestle as part of the day’s activities. According to the released timetable, the men wrestling is to select “prize winner”(sic) and there will be a football competition.
Friday, 8th August, 2025, is the Kepeli – outdoor meeting to intimate the residents on the do and don’t during the festival period and other important information to the people.
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The following day, 9th of August, 2025, there will be environmental sanitation in the kingdom. This is to keep all the nooks and crannies of the town clean throughout the period the festival will last. All residents are expected to participate.
On the 10th of August, 2025 is the Ikobase Leboku – Thanksgiving Church Service. This year, the Leboku Church service will be inter – denominational of all churches in Ugep to mark the festival in Thanksgiving to God Almighty for a bountiful harvest of the yam.
On the 17th of August, 2025 is the Ebokupom – the traditional way of opening supplications and appeasements to the Ugep fertility gods. The Obol Lopon will break the Leboku firewood for the roaring of the new yam.
On the 19th of August, 2025, is the Mblemi – the day the new yam will officially enter the kingdom. Also, according to the released timetable, there will be “exhibition of the new yam at the town square to select prize winners” The day will see heightening of the Leboku activities – “exchange of gift items to love ones”, drying of Ekoi drums, etc.
On the 20th of August, 2025, is the Janen Boku – the women’s day. Highlight of the day includes visitation to tourist sites in Ugep, traditional dancing/ carnival troops display, Miss Leboku contest, Ekponkara Society outing while exchange of gift items continues.
On the 21st of August, 2025 is the ladem Boku (men’s day) and the grand finale. This day is significantly important because it is the Ekoi day. Entangala masquerade will be displayed as the most attractive biggest street party in the West Africa sub region. It attracts more than a million participants every year it is staged. Beating of Ekoi drums with its requiem chants that will attracts the attention of the residents will start by 12:mid night. The parade of the Ekoi beautiful maidens in their leggy bangles is the main cynosure of the day, there will be Ekoi dancers from the four council wards of Ugep and other activities.
Friday, 22nd of August, 2025 will be the International version of the New Yam festival celebration. Awards shall be presented by His Excellency Prince Bassey Edet Otu Governor of Cross River State to those who will emerge winners in the various contests during the celebration.
On the 26th of August, 2025 will be Yekpi/ Lobo – the up rooting of life trees by young men and the parade of Master and Miss Leboku.
Monday, the 1st September, 2025, there will be Yeponfawa – final appeasement to be preceded by Odele dance accompanied with trumpeters and dancers to mark the end of 2025 Ugep International Leboku Festival.
All are invited to come to Ugep to witness the most scintillating cultural festival rooted in the ancient traditions of the Ugep people.
Obol Dr Daniel Ubana
Development Analyst and Media Director, Umorotutu Palace, Ugep.
