 | | United Igbo & Friends W.Mids |
The United Igbo and Friends Association is a community organisation for all the Igbos resident in the West Midlands. It was first started by a group of well meaning friends in and around the West Midlands who saw the need to formally support one another at times of difficulty such as at bereavement in our traditional manner. From that nucleus of friends the association has grown rapidly in the last few years into a vibrant union, which now has many members all over the West Midlands. The Igbo community  | | Chike and the Mayor and Mayoress 2003 |
The Igbo Community in Birmingham and the West Midlands has an estimated population of two thousand people. Igbos are resident in all parts of the United Kingdom but in the West Midlands they form a closely knit community of highly enterprising people with numerous professionals spread in the fields of Medicine, Engineering, Law, Pharmacy, Architecture, Business Administration, Accountancy to name a few. Igbo cultural roots The Igbos (as they are known) come from the eastern part of Nigeria in the West Coast of Africa and are one of the main Nigerian ethnic groups. They occupy at least six out of the thirty six states in Nigeria today. The Igbo culture is rich and versatile and dates back many centuries. Supporting the Igbo community in the West Midlands The United Igbo and Friends Association in the West Midlands was born out of the pressing need to provide support to the needy members of our community, especially the elderly, sick and bereaved.  | | Anuli Fashions in Handsworth |
It is a social and welfare voluntary organisation dedicated to the strengthening of the Igbo community in the West Midlands and the demonstration of Igbo culture to the people of the West Midlands and the UK in general. The association is non-profit making and seeks to promote equal opportunities amongst its members. Our mission: - To promote African culture, in particular the Igbo culture.
- To promote unity, friendship and solidarity amongst members.
- To harness the resources of its members towards the socio-cultural advancement of the West Midlands.
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Celebrating Iwaji (New Yam Festival)  | | Iwaji festival |
Yam is the main agricultural crop of the Igbos and also the staple food of our people. The New Yam Festival known as ‘Iwa-Ji’ or ‘Iri-Ji’ is a celebration depicting the prominence of yam in the socio-cultural life of our people. During the festival we thank God for the arrival of the new harvest of yams and perform traditional rites to declare the new yam fit for general consumption. It presents the right conditions for all and sundry, family and friends to come together and demonstrate their commitment and solidarity to the local community  | | Iwaji festival |
The United Igbo and Friends in the West Midlands stage the largest Iwaji event in the Midlands. The annual event draws people from all over the United Kingdom. Bringing communities together in celebration of an important event in the calendar of Igbo people all over world. More information For more information contact United Igbo and Friends, West Midlands, Tel no: 0121 747 8053 or visit their website. | 
