Nigeria is a nation with diverse tribes and ethnicities. These ethnic groups are what make Nigeria a beautiful place to live in. The unique languages, food, dressing, and cultural festivals add spice and colour to the country.
Cultural festivals have been a part of Nigeria since its existence. It is interesting to watch the cultural festivals in each tribe because it is not only a source of entertainment but can be enlightening as well. Through cultural festivals, we learn a lot more about the tribe, the background of the festival, and why it is celebrated.
It also helps in bonding with people from other tribes across the country.
Nigeria has many cultural festivals, some of which go back to the time before the arrival of major religions.
The states and the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation have been collaborating to improve the traditional festivals, which may develop into significant sources of tourism income. According to the Minister of Information and Culture, Mr. Lai Mohammed, there are more than 365 cultural festivals in Nigeria. The government is working hard to use these festivals to promote and showcase the nation’s rich cultural diversity.
Importance of cultural festivals in Nigeria
It is impossible to overstate the value of festivals to culture and society. We require the return of every kind of festival there is on the planet, and here’s why:
The layers of significant cultural importance that go into even the best festivals represent a long journey within a particular culture, society, and history. It’s easy to think that festivals are just about a bunch of affluent people dancing and drinking cider in a field. Some of the importance of cultural festivals are:
To understand one’s culture and heritage
Festivals are a wonderful way to learn about one’s heritage and culture. People should learn more about their culture, cultural standards, and traditions during Nigerian festivals. Additionally, they learn more about their nation. They learn about their origins as a result of this. They learn to be proud of their heritage and nation as a result of this. They become more nationalistic as a result.
During festivals, older generations in rural villages narrate historical tales to the younger generation. These tales aid in their comprehension of and appreciation for the significance of observing these festivals for many years. Festivals ensure that a particular group of people’s culture is promoted and presented to the world.
To boost the country’s economy
Festivals draw people willing to spend money, which boosts the local economy both on and off the festival grounds. They spend money on parking, entrance, food, beverages, and even the selling of trinkets at the festival. They also spend money outside the festival settings, which brings in money for the neighbourhood.
The money they spend outside of their base includes what they pay at a local gas station, what they pay at a souvenir shop to buy gifts, what they pay at a restaurant to eat, and what they pay at the local markets to buy other items they’ll need while they’re there, and what they pay when they carry those items back to their base. Each of these actions helps to boost the economy greatly.
To promote employment and create job opportunities
Many job opportunities are created during festivals. Even the unorganised labour class benefits from it since jobs are created. Even craftspeople are included.
People in the neighbourhood can get temporary or long-term work at festivals. Working individuals are more able to battle poverty. The people’s quality of life will thereby be dramatically raised. Festivals enhance the social and economic conditions of the populace by providing jobs for those living in the areas.
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The fact that festivals enhance people’s social lives, is another benefit. People have the chance to meet people from other tribes and locations at festivals. Festivals in a local community draw guests from all walks of life. Then, the visitors establish connections with the locals. The connections made could be quite significant for both the host communities and the tourists.
Additionally, festivals allow people to let go of all their troubles and rejoice in the good things in life. It brings people together and allows them to develop loving, peaceful relationships. It lessens hostility amongst family members and friends. To make a festival succeed, everyone puts their differences aside.
It promotes tourism
Festivals are used to promote tourism in Nigeria. The events’ schedule invites visitors to visit the towns during the festive occasions. This specific act provides the possibility to contact residents of the neighbourhood for the tourists.
They frequently learn more about the inhabitants’ way of life. They take in the atmosphere of the surroundings as well. They get knowledge about the people’s culture and traditions. Tourism and visitor attractions are improved during festivals. Tourism contributes to economic development since social and commercial activities are increasing.
Popular cultural festivals in Nigeria
Nigeria’s various tribes and ethnic groups use cultural festivals as a platform to showcase and celebrate their shared cultural heritage. These tribes and ethnic groups commemorate these unique events to pay homage to their gods and deities or carry out specific cultural and religious rituals.
These celebrations are typically quite colourful and engaging, showcasing the rich cultural history of the participants through masquerade performances, vibrant cultural dances, and religious ritual observance.
Following is a list of the top 10 popular cultural festivals in Nigeria that you should attend.
Eyo Festival
The Eyo Festival is a Yoruba celebration that is exclusive to Lagosians; it is typically observed in Lagos by residents of Isale Eko.
The celebration includes agogoro Eyo, a traditional Eyo masquerade that portrays the spirits of the deceased and is dressed entirely in white, as well as other performances of regional dance forms.
Calabar Carnival
The Calabar Carnival, also referred to as Africa’s Biggest Street Party, takes place every year in Cross River State, in the South-South of Nigeria.
A carnival with band competitions, parades, cuisine, and dancing is held every December. Up to 50,000 costumed participants and two million spectators attend the carnival, which is televised across the nation.
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Osun-Osogbo festival
In order to highlight the rich cultural legacy of the Osun people, the Osun-Osogbo festival is a two-week celebration that takes place in Osun state.
The celebration, which honours a deity known as the Osun river goddess, is held in the revered Osun Grove.
New Yam Festival
The easterners in Nigeria, especially the Igbo, celebrate the New Yam Festival as a cultural event. It is observed in August at the end of the rainy season to cap off a productive farming year and usher in a new one.
The New Yam Festival serves as a kind of unity celebration by uniting the various tribes to rejoice and includes rituals carried out to express gratitude to the various deities of the various tribes.
The Argungu Festival
Fishing enthusiasts from all around the state gather for the fun Argungu fishing festival, where they compete to capture the biggest fish.
In Argungu, a riverside town in Kebbi State, the festival is held to signal the start of the fishing season. Every year, it is observed between February and March.
The Durbar Festival
The Durbar festival, which takes place every year in the majority of Nigeria’s northern cities, is a celebration of culture, religion, and equestrian sports. It also commemorates the end of Ramadan and the Muslim holidays of Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitri.
A colourful mounted parade led by the Emir and his entourage of horses, musicians, and artillerymen follows the early morning prayers. Noblemen travel to the Durbar festivities to honour the Emir and renew their allegiance to their respective emirates.
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The Ofala Festival
Southeast Nigeria’s Igbo people hold an annual rite known as the Ofala Festival. This vibrant cultural event is conducted at the traditional ruler’s palace.
On the anniversary of the monarch’s ascension to the throne, it is customary to celebrate the ruler’s legitimacy and authority. The Ofala Festival provides the traditional leader with a chance to interact with and thank his subjects for their devotion.
Ojude Oba Festival
Awujale, the supreme king of Ijebu-Ode in Nigeria, is honoured with the cultural festival of Ojude Oba. The event was first held in 1892 when the Awujale granted Muslims land so they could construct a mosque. Additionally, he gave British missionaries the property on which Ijebu’s first church was built.
Although the celebration began as a Muslim religious holiday (it takes place on the third day of Eid-el-Kabir), it is now commemorated by the majority of Ijebu people. The lavish celebrations and partying, which include dances by many groups dressed in complementary traditional attire, draw tourists. The main draws during Ojude Oba are the warriors’ horse displays, the vibrant traditional clothing worn by ethnic groups, and the beauty pageants.
Egungun Festival
In the Yoruba kingdom, the Egungun festival is held to commemorate the passing of notable figures. The festival is observed by the Egbas, Egbados, residents of Oyo, as well as other ethnic groups in the southwest of Nigeria. It is a part of the Yoruba traditional religion.
The festival is held between November and April, when there are no rains, and includes a variety of masquerade displays, singing, and dancing. The general belief is that the ancestors’ spirits shouldn’t suffer in the rain.
Sango Festival
In the Western region of Nigeria, the Yoruba people celebrate the Sango Festival to commemorate Sango, a Yoruba deity.
Every year, Yoruba people from all across Nigeria and the world gather for the festival to commemorate the deity. It has a variety of vibrant cultural exhibitions that highlight the Yoruba people’s rich heritage.
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