Cross River women celebrate cassava as ‘queen of crops’

Rural women in Obubra communities on Monday trooped out into the roads chanting local songs, stressing the important role of cassava in the communities and why it should be seen as “queen of the crops’’ just as yam is seen as the king of crops. The celebration of the cassava festival is now an annual […]

Rural women in Obubra communities on Monday trooped out into the roads chanting local songs, stressing the important role of cassava in the communities and why it should be seen as “queen of the crops’’ just as yam is seen as the king of crops.

The celebration of the cassava festival is now an annual event in the riverine Obubra communities, especially by women.

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According to them, they have decided to honour and celebrate cassava because of its major role in the well-being of mankind.

According to Bright Ibingha, who facilitated the celebration, this year’s edition is bigger and bolder compared to last year’s.

Calling for partnerships from government and private sponsors, he said the cassava festival has the potential to grow bigger in the future.

“Amongst all the crops in Obubra LGA, cassava is predominant, which is the reason the women have decided to champion its importance.

“Cassava is an all season crop and multivariate too in nature, a feature that is not inherent in yam and is used in a variety of ways.

“We see cassava crop as a gift to mankind from God, hence our decision to pay more attention to it by celebrating its importance,” he said.