Feasting on Nigeria’s many festivals

Osun Festival which is as old as Osogbo itself started in the 18th Century to commemorate and renew the pact between Osun goddess and Oba Laroye, the founder of Osogbo. It is meant to seal the deal that Osogbo will always be protected and blessed if the people continue to worship her. Osun-Lyalode, the Yoruba […]

Osun Festival which is as old as Osogbo itself started in the 18th Century to commemorate and renew the pact between Osun goddess and Oba Laroye, the founder of Osogbo. It is meant to seal the deal that Osogbo will always be protected and blessed if the people continue to worship her.

Osun-Lyalode, the Yoruba water spirit of love, marriage and gold is one of the Orixhas that form the famous seven African powers. It is known in Santeria religion as our Lady of La Carida del de Cobre and is worshipped in Cuba, West Indies, Brazil and America. According to legend, Osun has unlimited powers and is invoked during difficult pregnancies. Osun is always pleasant and fun loving but has a ferocious temper when her anger is aroused. She is often referred to as the Venus of the African continent. The ancient shrine of Osun is located at Oshogbo. Traditional offerings are made to the spirit annually to bring peace and harmony to the land and the people.

Osogbo became immortalised as a result of her magical powers and the love of children. For this reason, the goddess is referred to as ‘Osun Osogbo Olomoyoyo which literally means, Osun Osogbo with many children.

The Osun Festival is associated with offering of sacrifices at the Osun shrine, drumming, dancing, feasting and other merry-making as the main features.

Apart from serving as a birthday of Osogbo and the remembrance day of the Ataoja’s ancestors, it is a time when sons and daughters of Osogbo, near and far, come home, where series of meetings are held about the development of Osogbo.

The festival which is the mother of the festivals in Osogboland succeeds other mini festivals like Egungun, Oro sango, Ifa Obatala, Ogun which have their significance like Osun.

Osun festival commences with ‘Iwopopo’ which is traditional clearing of the main road. Then, Ijuba fun awan Oba to ti waja – sacrifice to the past Ataojas will proceed Olojumberindinlogun’ – lighting of the sixteen lamps believed to have been seized from the Osanyin by the co-founder of Osogbo. Ibori and Iboade ; Ijo-ayaba Isale-sacrifice for the head and crown and sacrifice for the deceased wives of the past Obas would follow.

The worshipping of Osun goddess at the Osun Shrine will climax the end of the festival where the ‘Arugba’- the virgin girl will carry the calabash to the shrine and Kabiyesi will host the visitors from near and far to a big feast.

Argungu Fishing Festival

An annual celebration to mark beginning of the fishing season in Argungu, Kebbi State, is one of the most famous cultural festivals in Nigeria. Bare-hand fishing competitions among over 1,000 fishermen, equipped with a hand net and large gourd, is the main event of this cultural extravaganza. For a whole year preceding the festival, fishing is prohibited on the river Sokoto, venue of the festival. Traditional rituals are performed to prevent all the fishes in the area from migrating to neighboring waters. Prizes are awarded to the fishermen with the biggest catches. Since 1940, the score of the festival has been expanded to include traditional water sports, wild duck catching, swimming, diving, wrestling contest, arts and craft exhibition, agricultural shows and traditional music and entertainment. Your tour includes Kabanchi displays, tour of Sokoto and visit to the palace of the Emir of Gwandu, shopping & sightseeing.

Durbar

Durbar, the spectacular traditional parade of horsemen from the various sections of the Katsina emirate assembled to exhibit horsemanship and pay homage to the Emir during Sallah (Islamic celebration) and on special occasions. It is sometimes held as a mark of honor for important visiting dignitaries. This colorful procession full of pomp and pageantry is led by the Emir and features contest among the royal cavalry, drummers, trumpeters, praise singers and wrestlers. It depicts the past glories of the emirate before the influence of western culture.

Igue Festival

The oldest cultural festival in the ancient Benin Kingdom came to the fore in 1440 A.D. during the reign of the Oba Ewuare. The annual thanksgiving festival is the climax of all traditional festivities in the Kingdom. It is celebrated to mark the end of the Benin year through prayers offered for peace and prosperity in the New Year. This colourful festival featuring the best of Benin life and culture is one of the rare occasions when the Oba dances in public at his palace.

“Mmanwu” Festival

Enugu’s “Mmanwu” or masquerade is a popular social institution among the Igbo people of Nigeria. Masquerades at festivals represent incarnated ancestral spirits visiting their descendants to entertain, give guidance and exorcise evil spirit. Souls of departed people are in a state of personal immortality because the process of dying is never complete. This is one of the rich African cultural heritages which have survived Western influences. The “Mmanwu” festival features an assemblage of over 2,500 masquerades of various designs shapes and sizes from different communities in Anambra State of Nigeria and is said to be the largest concentration of masquerades on the African continent and perhaps in the world.