Leboku New Yam Festival

View on map
MusicUgep/Yakurr
DatesDates TBA · Usually AugustCheck locally before booking
DurationSummerEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLive music, late nightsLeboku is distinctive for how it distributes
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: NGN
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

Leboku New Yam Festival in Ugep/Yakurr

Leboku is the three-week-long New Yam Festival of the Yakurr (Yako) people, celebrated across five communities in Cross River State and centered in Ugep. It honors the earth goddess and ancestral spirits while marking the start of the yam harvest, running from mid-August through mid-September each year.

For the Yakurr people of Cross River State, the arrival of new yam has never been just an agricultural milestone, it is the occasion around which an entire traditional calendar turns.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Leboku is distinctive for how it distributes celebration across five Yakurr-speaking communities, Ugep, Idomi, Ekori, Mkpani and Nko, each observing the festival on its own named day, before the international, best-known celebration converges on Ugep once a year

02

The mystery stays covered

Beyond the harvest thanksgiving common to yam festivals across Igbo and Cross River cultures, Leboku includes a public parade of engaged maidens and a commemoration of the Yakurr people's historical migration from their ancestral homeland to their present site, layering historical memory onto agricultural celebration

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Leboku honors the earth goddess and ancestral spirits of the land

Water and renewal

Living ritual

incorporates the Yakurr traditional calendar which runs from August to July

The sacred route

Living ritual

and requires a pause in intense farming activity during the festival period

The local code

Living ritual

a custom meant to usher in peace

Tradition 5

Living ritual

good health and prosperity for the community

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually August

Getting around

Use Ugep/Yakurr transport around the venue or route first; event-day controls can change normal timing.

What to wear

Bright, festive traditional attire is common among Yakurr participants, especially for the maiden parade; visitors should opt for light, breathable clothing suited to Cross River State's...

Safety

At Leboku New Yam Festival, agree on a meeting point and plan food, water and the return route before crowds thicken.

Where to stay

Stay near workable transport in Ugep/Yakurr, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Tickets/cost

Ticketing varies by venue and stage. Confirm official passes before booking travel.

Language/currency

NGN

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map6.45 N, 3.39 EOpen in Google Maps

Ugep/Yakurr, Cross River, Nigeria

Nearest airportENU — Akanu Ibiam
TransportUse Ugep/Yakurr transport around the venue or route first; event-day controls can change normal timing.
Stay areaStay near workable transport in Ugep/Yakurr, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Ugep/Yakurr via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Ugep/Yakurr, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for August.Compare faresFestival gearBright, festive traditional attire is common among Yakurr participants, especially for the maiden parade; visitors should opt for light, breathable clothing suited to Cross River State's humid climate, with comfortable shoes for outdoor gatherings.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Nigeria and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Leboku New Yam Festival?

Leboku New Yam Festival is listed for August · Summer. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Leboku New Yam Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Ugep/Yakurr, Nigeria. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Summer is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Ugep/Yakurr, Cross River, Nigeria

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLnico.gov.ng
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually August
Source statusOfficial source linked
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