8 annual festivals in Nigeria

Cultural festivals are a high point on Nigeria’s tourism calendar and each part of the country has something unique to offer tourists all year long. Igue festivalChristmas season is a bubbly time of the year and the Edos make the most of it when they celebrate the Igue festival. Originally celebrated in the Benin Empire […]

Cultural festivals are a high point on Nigeria’s tourism calendar and each part of the country has something unique to offer tourists all year long.
Igue festival
Christmas season is a bubbly time of the year and the Edos make the most of it when they celebrate the Igue festival. Originally celebrated in the Benin Empire to renew the magical powers of the then Oba, Ewuare, it is also believed that the event coincided with his marriage to his wife, Ewere.
At this time, the Oba is prohibited from being around foreigners. Young ladies go around town in costumes with fresh green leaves dancing, singing and visiting households who in modern times give them token gifts. It is also a time when singles are acquainted with prospective spouses. The celebration which takes place during the yuletide season is also a time when the Oba gives his blessing to the land and his subjects.
Eyo Festival
Eyo Festival is synonymous with Lagos State and is believed to be the root of carnivals in Brazil.  Participants in the street parade are usually dressed in white flowing robes covering their entire body, topped with hats and a stick as they parade main streets of Isale Eko on Lagos Island. The 24-day event is meant to pay homage to the Oba of Lagos as well as form part of the burial rites of a highly placed chief.
The masquerades are regarded as ancestors and each day a participant, supposedly possessed by one of the ancestors, dances through the town and on the last day, a priest offers animal sacrifices at the shrine which afterward serve as food for the feast.
Argungu Fishing Festival
To mark the end of the farming season, once a year between February and March, in Kebbi State, Argungu’s 64-mile stretch from Sokoto plays host to the multitude who throng there for its fishing festival. The river is a sight to behold with the several gourds and fishing nets set to trap fish. The competitive feast is a show of skill and dexterity of the locals, who accompanied by music, drums and dance, try to outdo each other to ensure their trap has the biggest catch.  For side attractions, there are diving, wild duck hunting, bare-hand fishing, canoe racing and swimming competitions. The festival’s origin is traced to the visit of the late Sultan Dan Mu’azu in 1934 who was honoured with a similar festival. After each festival, the river is protected to ensure it produces fish rich in number for the next festival.
Sharo/Shadi Festival
For a first timer witnessing the Sharo or Shadi amongst the Fulanis, it may seem somewhat extreme. But for the locals it is a significant show of initiation into manhood which all young single men who have come of age must pass through.  The ritual which is a rite of passage for participants is traced to the Jafun Fulanis and involves bare-chested contestants, surrounded by beautiful ladies who form a ring around them. They attempt to impress the ‘damsels’ and avoid being called cowards with their bravery to withstand as many floggings as possible from an opponent, as they are oblivious to the cheers and drumming around them.
The Sango festival
Amongst the Yorubas, Sango is a deity described as the god of thunder who committed suicide by hanging himself.  A 20-day festival in his honour towards the end of the rainy season, is marked predominantly in Oyo, celebrated with sacrifices made at the shrine of the god, in the compound of a priest. The priest becomes possessed by the god and gains magical powers on the twentieth day of the festival, and eats fire and swallows gunpowder. A procession again goes to the Alaafin’s palace where the feast begins with food, drinks, dance and performances.
Calabar Carnival
Now a destination for tourists from all over the world, the Calabar Carnival has positioned itself as a major event in Nigeria. With participants drawn from all over Nigeria who rehearse over weeks leading up to December 27 when it happens, the carnival is a display of colours and spectacle. It involves a competition in costumes and presentation amongst others of the five bands Bayside, Masta Blasta, Seagulls, Passion 4 and Freedom. Covering twelve kilometres, the carnival route has over the years given rise to other side attractions which keep visitors busy all through Africa’s biggest street party.
Durbar
The Durbar festival is typical of northern Nigeria where horses were used in wars in emirates, centuries ago. Districts and households made the fighters who defended the territories and once or twice a year, these fighters who formed the regiments gave a military parade to the emirs and their councils.
In a display of loyalty, aesthetics, colours and strength they showed the emir their preparedness for war. Over time it has become a ceremonial display as is practiced today. Maiduguri, Kano, Katsina and Zaria are some cities reputed for giving the best Durbar displays. It is a major part of the Id el Kabir celebrations and also a welcome gesture to important visitors. Sometimes it is also a part of the Id el Fitri marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
Osun-Oshogbo festival
For spiritual and cultural tourism multitudes turn to the Osun-Osgogbo festival annually to satisfy their hunger. Celebrated at the sacred grove the festival takes place in August with thousands of Osun worshippers, spectators and tourists witnessing it from all over the world.
From as far as can be remembered, August is considered a month of cleansing the land and of celebration and a time when children of the land reunite with their ancestors and seek their blessings. The two-week fiesta begins with ‘Iwopopo’ a traditional cleansing of the land and is followed by the lighting of the 500-year-old sixteen-point lamp called ‘Ina Olojumerindinlogun’, three days after.
This is followed by the blessings, ‘Ibroriade’, which is an assemblage of the crowns of past rulers, Ataojas of Osogbo, performed by the current Ataoja of Osogbo; Arugba, Yeye Osun and a committee of priestesses.