Festivals, masquerades that make Nigeria’s tourism glitter

Argungu Fishing Festival An annual celebration to mark the beginning of the fishing season in Argungu, Kebbi State, the fiesta is one of the most famous cultural festivals in Nigeria. Bare-hand fishing competitions amongst over 1,000 fishermen, equipped with a hand net and large gourd, is the main event of this cultural extravaganza. For a […]

Argungu Fishing Festival

An annual celebration to mark the beginning of the fishing season in Argungu, Kebbi State, the fiesta is one of the most famous cultural festivals in Nigeria. Bare-hand fishing competitions amongst 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 scope 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.

Though there have been records of dishonesty on the part of contenders, many still flock there to awe themselves at the massive fishes caught.

Mmanwu  Festival

Enugu’s ‘Mmanwu’ meaning ‘masquerade’ in the Ibo language, is a popular social institution among the Igbo people of Nigeria. Masquerades at festivals play the role of incarnated ancestral spirits visiting their descendants to entertain, give guidance and exorcise evil spirit. Souls of departed people take on the state of the immortal 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 is said to have the largest concentration of masquerades in Africa and perhaps in the world. It is a major attraction at gatherings like the Abuja Carnival.

Osun/Osogbo Festival

Osun/Osogbo Festival, which is said to be 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-Iyalode, the Yoruba water spirit of love, marriage and gold is one of the ‘Orishas’ that form the famous seven African powers.

This worship has gone beyond Nigeria to South America. In the Santeria religion amongst the Cubans, West Indies, Brazilians and the Americas where it is practiced the goddess is called ‘Our Lady of La Carida del de Cobre’.

According to legend, Osun has unlimited powers and is invoked during difficulties in pregnancies. Osun is described as 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.

The immortalization of Osun came about as a result of her magical powers and the love for children. This is why the goddess is referred to as ‘Osun Osogbo Olomoyoyo’ meaning, ‘Osun Osogbo with many children’.

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

Apart from serving as the birthday of Osogbo and the remembrance day of its ancestors, it is a time when sons and daughters of the land as well as tourists who believe in her powers come there from far and near to pay homage as well as discuss the development of Osogbo.

The festival which is referred to as 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 which 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’ which are sacrifices for the head and crown and sacrifice for the deceased wives of the past Obas would follow.

The worshipping of the Osun goddess at the Osun Shrine climaxes the end of the festival where the ‘Arugba’- the virgin girl carries the calabash to the shrine and Kabiyesi hosts visitors to a big feast.

Durbar

Durbar, the spectacular traditional parade of horsemen from the various sections of Northern Nigerian emirates 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 honour for important visiting dignitaries.

This colourful procession full of pomp and pageantry is usually led by the Emir and features contests 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

This oldest cultural festival in the ancient Benin Kingdom came into existence 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.