 The yam is very important to the Igbo as the staple crop . There are celebrations such as the New yam festival ( Igbo : Iwaji ) which are held for the harvesting of the yam . During the festival , yam is eaten throughout the communities as celebration . Yam tubers are shown off by individuals as a sign of success and wealth . Rice has replaced yam for many ceremonial occasions . Other indigenous foods include cassava , garri , maize and plantains . Soups or stews are included in a typical meal , prepared with a vegetable ( such as okra , of which the word derives from the Igbo language , Okwuru ) to which pieces of fish , chicken , beef , or goat meat are added . Jollof rice is popular throughout West Africa and Palm wine is a popular alcoholic traditional beverage . 
