HUNDREDS came together in a "sea of colour and laughter" to celebrate Nigerian culture for the first time since the pandemic. 

The annual New Yam Festival has returned to mark the end of harvest for Nigerians in Hampshire. 

Organised by Nigerian community group Nzuko Ndi Igbo Hampshire, the event was held on Saturday at The Pavilion on the Park in Eastleigh. 

Members of the group filled the venue with vibrant outfits, dancing, singing, food, and prayers spoken over a tray of roasted yam.

Chairman of Nzuko Ndi Igbo Hampshire, Sir Henry Adu, said: "It's been a very good night. We all partied and had fun but it's all about our long traditions.

"It's about teaching our children born here in the UK our traditions too so that we can keep it alive and bring home to England.

"We eat the new yam once the harvest ending has been celebrated and the celebrations were very powerful for all of us.

"After the yam is eaten with the sarara (a soup made with chunks of grounded egusi seeds and meat) we exchange gifts and visit everyone at the festival.

"The rest of the evening is filled with dancing and jumping and everyone is happy."

Daily Echo: New Yam Festival 2022New Yam Festival 2022

The Igbo people are an ethnic group found in southeast Nigeria.

Henry says over 90 per cent of group members live in Southampton and Eastleigh.

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