Everyone knows Nigeria for its diverse and unique culture. This diversity makes Nigeria the perfect place for traditional, religious, social, and cultural festivals.
Societies, groups, and communities often partake in festivals together for a variety of reasons. Most importantly, traditional reasons.
Festivals in Nigeria
Nigeria has numerous festivals. These festivals are usually very colorful and entertaining, with the rich cultural heritage of people. There are usually masquerade displays, colorful cultural dances, and observation of traditional religious rites during festivals.
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List of popular Nigerian festivals
The Egungun festival
The Egungun festival is celebrated to mark the death of ancestors in the Yoruba kingdom. Egungun refers to Yoruba masquerades that are connected to their ancestors.
The Egbas, Egbados, and the people of Oyo in the Southwestern part of Nigeria celebrate this festival in the dry season. Legend says that the spirit of the ancestors must not suffer in the rain.
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The Argungu Fishing Festival
Argungu Dance/Fishing Festival holds annually in Kebbi State. A rite of the Hausa people, this festival is in February, often at the beginning of the fishing season and the end of the farming season. It is a four-day event that promotes unity.
The celebration first took place in 1934 to mark the end of decades of hostility between the Kebbi Kingdom and the Sokoto Caliphate. It is one of the most popular Nigerian festivals.
Calabar Festival
This is Africa’s Biggest Street Party. It is an annual festival held in Cross river in December.
This festival is marked by traditional dances, beauty pageants, and fashion shows.
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Carniriv
The Carniriv is an annual seven-day celebration in Port Harcourt. It is widely regarded as one of the top music festivals in Nigeria.
Some of the highlights include musical performances by local and international artists, tourism attraction displays, and dancing competitions between the people.
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Durbar festival
This Muslim festival is a four-day event, a magnificent display of Islamic and equestrian activities. It often takes place at the end of Ramadan and is popular in Katsina and Sokoto.
Oro festival
The Oro Festival is an annual event celebrated by the male descendants of the Yoruba tribe. The event was established to worship Orò, the Yoruba deity of bullroarers and justice.
It is important that females and non-natives stay indoors, as it is taboo for them to see Orò.
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Ofala festival
This takes place in Anambra State and is one of the oldest traditional festivals in Nigeria, dating back to about 700 years ago.
The event’s name derives from two Igbo words, ‘ofo,’ meaning king, and ‘ala,’ meaning land.
New yam festival
This is one of the most popular Nigerian festivals, belonging to the Igbos. It is used to mark the beginning and the end of the farming season and bring together the various Igbo tribes.
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The Lagos carnival/Caretta carnival
The Caretta Carnival of Lagos was abandoned for several decades and was brought back in 2010.
Participants mark the event through songs and dance, drama performances, and numerous other culture-related activities.
Sango festival
This is an annual festival observed by the Yoruba people in honor of Sango, a thunder and fire deity.
Sango was the third king of the Oyo Empire and assumed the throne after succeeding his elder brother, Ajaka.
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The Abuja Carnival
Some say this is the most thrilling Nigerian cultural jamboree. It takes place in Abuja in November or December. This event was established in 2005, to showcase the city’s rich culture and creative spirit.
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The Eyo Masquerade
This is also known as the Adamu Orisha Play. It usually takes place in Lagos on a Saturday.
The origin of this festival remains unknown, with some saying it is the inner workings of secret societies. It is held to escort the soul of a departed Lagos King or Chief.
Conclusion
As seen above, Nigerian festivals showcase unique culture, art, and most importantly, pieces of music.
These festivals make Nigeria an exciting destination for tourists. We recommend you go for one festival.
