Some of the most popular festivals in Nigeria are the New Yam Festival, Eyo Festival, Calabar Carnival, Osun Festival, and more. Keep reading to learn more about each of these Festivals.
From Music festivals to Traditional and religious festivals, the sheer number of these events are a whole lot! In this post, Travelrichee takes a look at all the most popular festivals that are celebrated in the country.
Cultural Festivals in Nigeria (& their States)
Nigeria, a country rich in cultural diversity, celebrates a wide array of festivals that reflect its ethnic, religious, and cultural heritage. These festivals, many of which are centuries old, are vibrant expressions of tradition, spirituality, and communal identity. Below is an overview of some of the major cultural festivals in Nigeria, categorized by region, State and cultural background.
1. Eyo Festival (Lagos)
- Region: Southwestern Nigeria
- Ethnic Group: Yoruba
- Significance: The Eyo Festival, also known as the Adamu Orisha Play, is celebrated in Lagos, usually as a precursor to the modern-day Lagos Carnival. It is traditionally held to honor the passing of an Oba (king) or a prominent Lagosian. The festival is famous for its masquerades, where participants dressed in white robes and hats (called “Agbadas”) parade through the streets, carrying staffs called “Opanbata.”
- Highlights: The festival features colorful processions, music, dance, and the display of the Eyo masquerades. It symbolizes the spirits of the dead and is believed to cleanse the city of evil.
2. Durbar Festival (Kano, Katsina, Zaria)
- Region: Northern Nigeria
- Ethnic Group: Hausa/Fulani
- Significance: The Durbar Festival is an ancient tradition dating back to the times of the Sokoto Caliphate. It is celebrated at the end of Ramadan and during other significant Islamic events. The festival showcases the rich culture of the Northern people, with horsemen and warriors parading in traditional attire to display their horsemanship and loyalty to the Emir.
- Highlights: The festival features colorful horse parades, traditional music, and displays of local martial arts. The Emir usually leads the procession, which is followed by the display of loyalty and strength by the participating horsemen.
3. Osun-Osogbo Festival (Osogbo)
- Region: Southwestern Nigeria
- Ethnic Group: Yoruba
- Significance: The Osun-Osogbo Festival is one of the most famous and sacred festivals in Nigeria, held annually in Osogbo, Osun State. It is dedicated to the river goddess Osun, who is revered as the goddess of fertility and protector of children. The festival is a two-week-long event filled with various traditional activities.
- Highlights: The climax of the festival is the procession to the Osun Sacred Grove, a UNESCO World Heritage site. During this procession, prayers and offerings are made to the goddess Osun. The festival is characterized by traditional drumming, dancing, art exhibitions, and the presentation of the Arugba (a virgin girl who carries the sacrificial offering).
4. Argungu Fishing Festival (Kebbi State)
- Region: Northwestern Nigeria
- Ethnic Group: Kabawa
- Significance: The Argungu Fishing Festival is one of the most well-known festivals in Nigeria, attracting participants and spectators from around the world. It is held annually in Argungu, Kebbi State, usually in March, to mark the end of the farming season. The festival has its origins in a peace treaty between the Sokoto Caliphate and the Kebbi Kingdom.
- Highlights: The festival’s main event is the fishing competition, where thousands of fishermen armed with large fishnets dive into the Matan Fada River to catch the biggest fish. The winner is celebrated and awarded prizes. The festival also includes traditional wrestling, music, dance, and other cultural displays.
5. New Yam Festival (Igboland)
- Region: Southeastern Nigeria
- Ethnic Group: Igbo
- Significance: The New Yam Festival, known as “Iri Ji” or “Ike Ji,” is an annual harvest festival celebrated by the Igbo people to mark the end of the farming season and the beginning of the new one. It usually takes place between August and October. The festival is deeply rooted in the agrarian culture of the Igbo people, as yams are considered the king of crops.
- Highlights: The festival begins with the offering of the first yam to the gods and ancestors as a sign of thanksgiving. After the rituals, the community feasts on yam dishes, accompanied by traditional music, dance, and masquerades. The festival symbolizes unity, thanksgiving, and the beginning of the harvest season.
6. Calabar Carnival (Calabar)
- Region: South-South Nigeria
- Ethnic Group: Cross River State (Multi-ethnic)
- Significance: Dubbed “Africa’s Biggest Street Party,” the Calabar Carnival is a month-long celebration held in December in Calabar, Cross River State. It was initiated in 2004 to promote tourism and showcase the cultural heritage of the people of Cross River State.
- Highlights: The carnival features colorful parades, costume competitions, traditional dances, and musical performances. It attracts participants and tourists from all over the world, with different bands competing in various categories. The festival is a blend of modern entertainment and traditional cultural displays.
7. Sango Festivals in nigeria (Oyo)
- Region: Southwestern Nigeria
- Ethnic Group: Yoruba
- Significance: The Sango Festival is an annual event held in Oyo State to honor Sango, the Yoruba god of thunder and lightning. Sango was also a historical king of the Oyo Empire, and the festival celebrates his mythical powers and the cultural heritage of the Yoruba people.
- Highlights: The festival features traditional drumming, dancing, and fire-spitting performances, symbolizing Sango’s control over fire and thunder. Rituals and prayers are offered to Sango for protection and blessings. The festival also includes the display of masquerades and other cultural performances.
8. Ofala Festival (Onitsha, Anambra State)
- Region: Southeastern Nigeria
- Ethnic Group: Igbo
- Significance: The Ofala Festival is the most important annual ceremony in Onitsha, celebrated to mark the reign of the Obi (king) of Onitsha. It is a two-day event that serves as a celebration of the king’s authority and a time for the people to show their loyalty and respect.
- Highlights: The Obi, adorned in royal regalia, addresses the people and offers blessings. The festival features traditional music, dance, and the performance of cultural rites. It is also a time for the Obi to honor individuals who have contributed to the community.
9. Igue Festival (Benin City, Edo State)
- Region: South-South Nigeria
- Ethnic Group: Edo (Bini)
- Significance: The Igue Festival is celebrated by the people of Benin to mark the end of the year and to offer thanks to the gods for a successful year. It is also a time to renew the Oba’s spiritual powers. The festival is rooted in the ancient traditions of the Benin Kingdom.
- Highlights: The festival involves the offering of sacrifices, the performance of rituals, and the wearing of traditional attire. The Oba of Benin plays a central role in the festival, offering prayers and blessings for the prosperity of the land. It is also a time for cultural dances, music, and the display of traditional arts and crafts.
10. Egungun Festival (Yorubaland)
- Region: Southwestern Nigeria
- Ethnic Group: Yoruba
- Significance: The Egungun Festival is a masquerade festival celebrated by the Yoruba people to honor the ancestors. It is believed that during the festival, the spirits of the ancestors come back to visit the living, providing guidance, protection, and blessings.
- Highlights: The festival features colorful masquerades, drumming, dancing, and singing. The Egungun masquerades, dressed in elaborate costumes, perform in the streets, and the community offers sacrifices and prayers. The festival is both a religious and social event, bringing the community together.
Music festivals in Nigeria
Nigeria has a vibrant music scene, and its music festivals are a testament to the country’s rich cultural heritage and contemporary creativity. Here’s a detailed look at some of the most prominent music festivals in Nigeria:
1. Felabration
- Location: Lagos
- Month: October
- Genre: Afrobeat, Highlife, Traditional Music
- Overview: Felabration is an annual music festival that celebrates the life and legacy of Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the legendary Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer. The festival features performances from a diverse lineup of artists, both local and international, who draw inspiration from Fela’s music. It includes concerts, art exhibitions, dance competitions, and a symposium that discusses social and political issues, in line with Fela’s activist roots. The New Afrika Shrine, Fela’s famous venue in Lagos, serves as the primary location for the event.
ALSO READ: Lagos To Ibadan Train Booking
2. Lagos International Jazz Festival
- Location: Lagos
- Month: April
- Genre: Jazz, Afrobeat, Highlife, Soul
- Overview: The Lagos International Jazz Festival is one of the most significant jazz events in Africa. It brings together a mix of jazz musicians from Nigeria and around the world, celebrating the diversity and evolution of jazz music. The festival provides a platform for both established and emerging artists, offering audiences a mix of classic jazz, contemporary interpretations, and fusions with traditional Nigerian sounds.
3. AFRIMA Music festivals in nigeria
- Location: Lagos (varies annually)
- Month: November
- Genre: Various (including Afrobeat, Hip-Hop, Pop, Reggae, Dancehall)
- Overview: Although AFRIMA is more of an award ceremony, it is also a significant music festival in Nigeria. The event celebrates African music and musicians, recognizing talents across various genres. The award show is accompanied by performances from top artists across the continent. It’s a glamorous event that attracts music professionals, celebrities, and fans from all over Africa.
4. The Experience
- Location: Lagos
- Month: December
- Genre: Gospel
- Overview: The Experience is one of the largest gospel music events in the world, held annually at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos. It attracts millions of worshippers and features performances from top gospel artists from Nigeria and around the world. The event is a massive gathering of Christians who come together for a night of praise and worship.
5. One Lagos Fiesta
- Location: Lagos
- Month: December-January
- Genre: Various (including Afrobeat, Pop, Hip-Hop)
- Overview: One Lagos Fiesta is a New Year’s Eve celebration that spans several days and features performances by some of Nigeria’s biggest music stars. It takes place in five different locations across Lagos, ensuring that the entire city can partake in the festivities. The event includes concerts, fireworks, and cultural displays, making it one of the most anticipated events in Lagos.
Religious Festivals in Nigeria
Nigeria is a country rich in religious diversity, and it celebrates a variety of religious festivals. Here are three major religious festivals observed in Nigeria, representing the country’s Christian, Islamic, and indigenous religious traditions:
1. Eid al-Fitr (Sallah)
Eid al-Fitr, also known as Sallah in Nigeria, is one of the most significant Islamic festivals celebrated by Muslims across the country. It marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting.
Related: Eid al-Adha 2024: 10 Fun Places To Visit To Celebrate
- Celebration: The day begins with a special prayer session held in large open spaces or mosques, where Muslims gather to thank Allah for the strength to complete the fast. The prayer is followed by a sermon. After the prayers, people visit the graves of their loved ones to pray for them. The festival is also a time for charity, with Muslims giving Zakat al-Fitr, a form of almsgiving, to the poor.
- Cultural Practices: In Nigeria, Eid al-Fitr is celebrated with a feast, where families and friends come together to enjoy special dishes such as rice, meat, and sweets. Traditional attire is worn, with men typically dressed in agbada or kaftan and women in buba and wrapper. People also exchange gifts, and children often receive money or sweets.
- Significance: The festival symbolizes the virtues of self-control, gratitude, and community. It is a time for reconciliation, reflection, and renewal of faith.
2. Christmas
Christmas is widely celebrated by Christians in Nigeria to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. It is one of the most important festivals in the Christian calendar.
- Celebration: The Christmas season in Nigeria is marked by various religious and social activities. Churches hold special services, including carol singing, nativity plays, and midnight mass on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Day, families attend church services, followed by a festive meal.
- Cultural Practices: Nigerian Christians often travel to their hometowns to celebrate with extended family members. The festive meal usually includes jollof rice, fried rice, chicken, goat meat, and various local delicacies. Homes and streets are decorated with Christmas lights, and people exchange gifts and cards. Christmas carols, both in English and local languages, are sung, and traditional masquerades, known as “Eyo” in some parts of the country, may perform in public spaces.
- Significance: Christmas is a time of joy, love, and giving. It is a period when Christians reflect on the message of peace and goodwill, and it fosters unity among family members and communities.
3. Osun-Osogbo Festival
Where my Traditionalists at? The Osun-Osogbo Festival is a major cultural and religious festival celebrated by the Yoruba people in Osogbo, Osun State. It honors the river goddess Osun, one of the deities in the Yoruba religion.
- Celebration: The festival spans two weeks and culminates in a grand finale held at the sacred Osun Grove, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The festival includes various rituals, including the lighting of the 16-point lamp called “Atupa Olojumerindinlogun,” traditional drumming, dancing, and offerings to the goddess. The high point is the procession led by the “Arugba” (a virgin girl who carries the sacrificial offerings) to the Osun River, where prayers are offered for fertility, prosperity, and protection.
- Cultural Practices: The festival attracts thousands of devotees, tourists, and cultural enthusiasts. People dress in traditional Yoruba attire, and there is a display of Yoruba art, music, and dance. The Osun-Osogbo Festival also serves as a platform for the Yoruba people to reconnect with their cultural heritage and pass on traditions to the younger generation.
- Significance: The Osun-Osogbo Festival is not only a religious event but also a celebration of the Yoruba culture and identity. It reinforces the community’s connection to their ancestors and the natural environment, particularly the sacred Osun River, which is believed to have healing powers.
Frequently Asked Questions about Festivals in Nigeria
1. What is the most famous festival in Nigeria?
The most famous festival in Nigeria is the Calabar Carnival, known as “Africa’s Biggest Street Party,” celebrated every December in Calabar, Cross River State.
2. What are the festivals in Lagos?
The main festivals in Lagos include the Eyo Festival, a vibrant cultural parade; the Lagos Carnival, known for its colorful street parades; and the Lagos International Jazz Festival, which celebrates jazz music with performances from local and international artists.
3. How many festivals are there in Nigeria?
it is estimated that there are over 500 festivals celebrated across Nigeria, including major national festivals, regional cultural celebrations, and numerous local community events.
Conclusion
Nigeria’s festivals are a testament to its rich cultural diversity and heritage. Each festival is unique in its customs, rituals, and significance, reflecting the deep-rooted traditions of the various ethnic groups in the country. These festivals not only serve as a means of cultural expression but also as a way to strengthen communal bonds, preserve history, and celebrate the rich cultural tapestry that makes Nigeria a vibrant nation.