Deep in the heart of the Ashanti Kingdom lies Ejura, a historic town revered not only for its rich cultural heritage but also as the sacred land where one of Ghana’s most cherished food crops—yam, known in Akan as Bayere—was first discovered. The fascinating story of this discovery, handed down through generations, connects the Asante people to their roots, reflecting the ingenuity, resilience, and deep spiritual relationship between humans and nature that defines the Asante civilization.
According to traditional accounts preserved by Nana Akua Tiwaa II, the revered Queen Mother of Ejura, the origin of yam dates back to the 16th century, when the people of Ejura, then an emerging Asante settlement, depended largely on hunting, farming, and gathering for survival. During this era, hunters from Ejura frequently ventured deep into the thick forests surrounding the community, establishing temporary resting shelters known as “Ennanso”—small forest camps where they stored game and prepared food before returning home.
It was during one of these hunting expeditions that a brave royal hunter named Nana Boakye, from the Ejura royal family, made an astonishing discovery that would later transform the Asante diet and agricultural culture forever.
While tracking wild boars in the dense forest, Nana Boakye observed the animals furiously digging the ground as though searching for something precious. Out of curiosity, he killed the boars and examined the spot they had been disturbing. To his surprise, he uncovered several large, brownish roots buried beneath the soil. These unknown tubers were unlike any plant he had seen before. Intrigued, Nana Boakye collected a few and carried them home to show to his elders.
Initially, the root was called “Sekyerene”, reflecting its mysterious and wild nature. To test its suitability as food, the hunters boiled and tasted it—finding it surprisingly delicious, starchy, and filling. It quickly gained acceptance among the people, who began experimenting with different ways of preparing and preserving it. The edible root eventually became a regular delicacy, cherished by all who tasted it.
In those days, cooking the newfound root was not an ordinary act—it was a ritual reserved for a specific person in the household: the wife of the hunter’s son, locally known as “Boffuo Ba Yere.” She alone had the privilege of preparing the yam for communal feasts and family meals.
Whenever the meal was served, neighbors who tasted it would praise its flavor, referring to it as “Boffuo Ba Yere no aduane,” meaning “the wife of the hunter’s food.” As generations passed, the phrase gradually evolved in pronunciation and meaning to become “Bayere,” the name by which yam is known today across Asanteman and other Akan-speaking communities.
From this humble beginning in Ejura, yam spread across the Ashanti Kingdom and beyond, becoming one of the most significant crops in Ghanaian agriculture and cuisine. Over time, different varieties of yam emerged, including Pona, Serwaa, Dente, Esum ne Hyen, Afase, Apoka, and Afum, each with its unique texture, taste, and cultural importance.
To commemorate this legendary discovery, the people of Ejura established the Ejura Sekyerene Festival, popularly referred to as the Bayere Festival, celebrated annually—usually in October. The festival is a time of reflection, thanksgiving, and celebration of the land’s fertility and the ancestors’ blessings. Chiefs, queen mothers, elders, and citizens of Ejura, both home and abroad, converge to honor the legacy of the yam discovery through drumming, dancing, storytelling, and communal feasting.
Beyond its cultural pageantry, the Bayere Festival serves as a rallying point for unity and development. During the festivities, traditional leaders and government representatives collaborate to discuss community projects, including road improvements, education, and youth empowerment. The event reinforces Ejura’s position as not just an agricultural hub but also a spiritual and cultural center in Asanteman.
For centuries, yam has remained more than a food crop—it is a symbol of life, abundance, and continuity in Asante tradition. It features prominently in festivals, rituals, and daily meals, representing both sustenance and social connection. The journey from a hunter’s curiosity to a national staple is a testament to the deep bond between the Asante people and their natural environment.
Today, as Ghana continues to celebrate yam as one of its major crops, the people of Ejura stand proud as the custodians of this priceless legacy—the land where the Ashantis first unearthed Bayere, a gift from nature that continues to nourish generations.
—By Kwame Agyenim Boaten (Nan
a Kokooto), OTEC FM Newsroom
