Whether you were born and raised in Nigeria or are merely visiting, there are some Nigerian cultural festivals that nobody should miss out on.
Here is a quick list of 5 of Nigeria’s craziest cultural festivals, starting with the fish festival based in Argungu…
#1. Calabar Festival in Nigeria, also tagged " Africa's Biggest Street Party", was created as part of the vision of making the Cross River State in Nigeria, the number one tourist destination for Nigerians and tourists
all over the world. The carnival which begin on every 1 December and
last till 31 December has boosted the cultural mosaic of Nigeria people
while entertaining the millions of spectators within and outside the
State, and boosting industry for all stakeholders.
#2. Argungu Festival
If you visit Argungu during most of the year, you will see nothing remarkable about this quiet riverside town in Kebbi State. But during four days a year (around February / March), this town plays host to one of the most remarkable festivals in Nigeria – the Argungu Fish Festival.The festival began life as a memorial to the end of hostilities’ between the Sokoto Caliphate and the Kebbi Kingdom. Today, this Nigerian cultural festival plays host to parades, boxing matches, camel races, musical performances and much more.
But the true spectacle is the fishing competition that happens on the final day. Thousands of young men dive into the Matan Fada River, all with the aim of finding the largest fish.
It seems that even the UN agrees with our rating, after UNESCO awarded the Argungu festival protected status back in December 2016.
But there’s many more unmissable Nigerian cultural festivals and number 2 is the famous Osun Festival…
#3. Osun Festival
The Osun Festival is perhaps the pinnacle of the Yoruba calendar. The festival happens each year towards the end of the rainy season (August or September) in the Sacred Forest near to Oshogbo.This very important Nigerian cultural festival is in honor of the Yoruba goddess of fertility, Osun. Those attending the Osun Festival wear white and make food offerings.
The Osun Festival reaches its climax when the devotees form a procession to the main shrine. The procession celebrates the life force behind the Osun River, the central artery of water through Yorubaland.
By the way, the Sacred Forest is a “must-see” if you’re visiting Nigeria for the first time. The festival was awarded a UNESCO World Heritage Site status back in 2005 and was even written about in the New York Times.
#4. New Yam Festival
The Igbo communities across Nigeria hold the New Yam Festival during August each year. The New Yam Festival marks the start of the yam harvest season and is a particularly big deal in Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Beneu and Edo states. The New Yam Festival was even mentioned in Chinua Achebe’s famous novel When Things Fall Apart (a novel that Amazon placed in its 100 Books To Read In a Lifetime List)“The Feast of the New Yam was held every year before the harvest began, to honor the earth goddess and the ancestral spirits of the clan. New yams could not be eaten until some had first been offered to these powers.”The celebrations around the New Yam Festival tend to vary according to local custom. Generally, the yams from the previous year are thrown out and a ritual offering is made to the Igbo ancestors and gods. It is then time to throw a feast for everyone, featuring of course plenty of yam.
#5. Eyo Festival
The Eyo Festival is perhaps Nigeria’s most unusual cultural festival. The reason is that it celebrates the passing of a well-known person in Lagos society and, therefore, there can be years between events being held.When the Eyo Festival is held, it lasts for a six day period and features special ceremonies at the shrine of the eyo (i.e. the spirit of the ancestors). The last day of the Eyo Festival features a huge procession throughout Lagos Island. Amidst much music, dance and fanfare, certain attendees dress up as the Eyo and become the ancestors of the city who return to cleanse all evil from Lagos.
The eyo are responsible for protecting the orisa (like minor deities) who lead the procession. The eyo dress up in white robes and wears a cream coloured veil called a asha-oke. Meanwhile the orisa wear different coloured hats. All in all, it’s a true spectacle and one of Nigeria’s most incredible festivals.
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