EPLUS MAGAZINE E PLUS MAGAZINE APRIL EDITION 2017 | Page 2

TOP TEN FESTIVALS IN NIGERIA
With a population of 177 million people, Nigeria is obviously the largest black nation
on Earth; and very rich in cultural heritages that cut across over 250 ethnic tribes and
420 languages. The peoples of Nigeria are aware of their rich cultural diversity, and
this is evident in the various traditional festivals put on display across various
communities and regions in the country.
1. Calabar Carnival:If you want to witness a procession of colourful dancers
performing in street parades, then you must be at the Calabar festival in Cross River
State. Here you will see thousands of performers wearing colourful costumes and
feathered headdresses that capture the spirit of the celebrative season. This great
festival does not only attract Calabar indigenes from all over the world, the state
governor and his cabinet and federal ministers of Nigeria are always present to
witness the rich, cultural displays of the Calabar people. It lasts for about one month
2 Eyo Festival:It is not known why some people also refer to it as the Adamu Orisha
festival, but the Eyo festival in Lagos Island is a very spectacular celebration that
attracts tourists from all over the country. Participants are decked in white clothing,
and the main attraction of the festival is the Eyo masquerades who perform in white
regalia. They lead a colourful procession through the city, and it is a fabulous
celebration to be witnessed to experience the traditional values of the people of
Lagos.
3. Lagos/Abuja Carnival:Whether it is the Lagos or Abuja carnival, you are in for a
great time if you’re lucky to be in Lagos or Abuja when the festivals kick off. There
are series of cultural performances that tell the story of the local people, and that
project the vision of the people for their state. Here you witness colourful display of
local fashion embellished with the most imaginative costumes. You see participants
revelling in the spirit of the occasion and sharing in the memorable parties that attend
the celebrations in the evenings.
4. Osun Osogbo Festival:Although every day in any year is dedicated to a deity
festival in Ile-Ife, Osun State, the most spectacular celebration of the state is the Osun
Osogbo festival that takes place annually in Osogbo, followed by the Olojo festival of
Ile-Ife. The Osun Osogbo festival is a celebration dedicated to the Osun river
goddess, and during the celebrations people come from all walks of life to offer
sacrifice to the river goddess and to make supplications. It is a week-long celebration
taking place between July and August in the sacred forest groves of Osun river.
5. Sango Festival:The Sango festival is usually celebrated in Oyo township of Oyo
State. It is an annual festival dedicated to Sango, the most powerful deity and one of
the ancient Alaafin of the Old Oyo Kingdom in prehistoric times. The festival
showcases Sango worshippers eating and breathing fire from their mouths and
nostrils, and invoking thunder to strike across the land in the spirit of the fiery,
ancient ruler of the Old Oyo peoples.
6. Ojude-Oba Festival: The Ojude-Oba festival takes place in Ijebu-Ode of Ogun
State; a cultural activity where the locals and those in the diaspora come home to pay