Still on Ofala Day: Here Are Five More Nigerian Festivals That Will Make You Fall in Love with Naija Culture
ALIMOTU SHADIAT
Still on Ofala Day: Here Are Five More Nigerian Festivals That Will Make You Fall in Love with Naija Culture
Nigeria’s cultural richness shines through its vibrant festivals, each offering a unique lens into the country’s diverse heritage. The Ofala Festival is a traditional cultural event celebrated by the Igbo people, primarily in Onitsha, Anambra State and is marked by vibrant parades, royal dances, and masquerades, showcasing the rich heritage of the Igbo community.
If you love this festival and want to explore more, here are five other spectacular celebrations that capture the essence of Naija culture:
Argungu Fishing Festival, Kebbi State
The Argungu fishing festival is one of Nigeria’s most famous cultural events that was founded in 1934. It takes place between the months of February and March every year and marks the end of farming season and start of the fishing season
Held along in the Mata Fada, Argungu town, the four-day festival started in 1934 to mark the end of centuries hostility between the Sokoto Caliphate and the Kebbi Kingdom and quickly morphed into a celebration of life and unity.
The festival celebrates fishing traditions with a competition where thousands of fishermen use nets and even their hands to catch the biggest fish. With over 50,000 fishermen from Northern Nigeria and surrounding countries participating in the competition, the fisherman with the biggest fish catch called Giwan Ruwa wins the competition. Beyond fishing, it showcases cultural dances, wrestling, and canoe racing, creating a dynamic display of local customs.
Eyo Festival, Lagos State
The Eyo festival also known as the Adamu Orisa Play dates back to at least 1854, although it is believed to have earlier origins tied to Iperu-Remo, Ogun state, it’s mostly presented by the people of Lagos and held on Lagos Island to honour the passing of notable Lagos chiefs and royalty.
The first procession was held in Lagos on 20 February 1854 to commemorate the life of Oba Akintoye and has since then been held to celebrate special occasions or the death of a royal or notable person with no fixed annual date.
The Eyo Festival is a fusion of s cultural history with a vibrant masquerade parade. Participants, dressed in white robes and iconic hats, honour the spirits of ancestors while showcasing traditional Yoruba culture.
Calabar Carnival, Cross River State
Regarded as one of the biggest festivals in Nigeria, attracting millions of revellers every year, the Calabar carnival was established in 2004 by the Cross River State government to mark the Christmas celebrations as well as spotlight African hospitality and boost tourism.
Held in December every year, it has developed over time into a month-long celebration that now forms a mainstay of Nigeria’s cultural calendar and features dance, theatre, and music. The street parade is the primary event, where many bands, like Freedom, Masta Blasta, and Seagull, compete in the Battle of the Bands and Street Parade while wearing colourful costumes that each tell a different tale. Bands perform Afrobeat, highlife, and other Nigerian music as they parade through the streets of Calabar.
Osun-Osogbo Festival, Osun State
The Osun-Osogbo festival,believed to have begun over 600 years ago, is a fourteen-day festival held in August every year in Osogbo, Osun State
Starting with a massive procession from the Atáọ́ja’s (the town’s King) palace to the main Ọ̀ṣun Shrine, it attracts thousands of worshippers, spectators, and tourists to honour Osun, the goddess of fertility, at the Sacred Grove of Osogbo. Devotees and tourists gather to witness rituals, blessings, and colourful ceremonies, all set in a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The festival offers an intimate look at Yoruba spirituality and the power of traditional beliefs with a remarkable feature of the priests and priestesses wearing white robes in honour of the deity. They plait their hair in the traditional way of olórìṣà (those who are initiated in a Yorùbá divinity).
New Yam Festival, Igbo Land
The New Yam festival known as Orureshi or Iri Ji festival is a longstanding Igbo tradition celebrated across Nigeria and other countries including Ghana. While the festival is believed to date back centuries, its exact origin remains unclear. This annual festival usually takes place in August at the end of the rainy season.
The New Yam Festival is a thanksgiving event to honour the harvest. Traditionally, yams are cooked and shared, symbolising unity and prosperity. Each village celebrates with masquerades, dances, and feasting, creating a heartwarming, community-centred atmosphere.
These festivals are a perfect example of Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage, celebrating tradition, unity, and leadership.
Through initiatives like MTN’s See Naija platform, MTN helps in showcasing the beauty and diversity of these cultural celebrations, MTN helps to connect people nationwide, fostering pride and awareness of Nigeria’s unique traditions. With See Naija, MTN aims to preserve and promote Nigeria’s cultural heritage, ensuring these traditions continue to thrive in modern times.
