Traditional festivals

FESTIVALS IN NIGERIA

Festivals are organised in different parts of the world at particular tines. Some festivals are seasonal because they are organized to celebrate a bountiful harvest of agricultural products, especially in rural areas Modern societies also engage in various kind of festival.

Traditional Festivals In Nigeria, Africa

Traditional festivals could be organized to commemorate different cultural beliefs and heritage to honour Legendary people.

In the Fulani culture, there is the Sharo festival which allows single men to prove their worthiness. The men, in pairs, flog each other as the crowd cheers them and the beautiful girls who have accompanied them to the occasion watch and access their performances. The contestant who shows his plight or cries in pain may not get a lady as he is regarded as a coward.

In Kebbi state, which is located in the North Western part of Nigeria, the Argungu Fishing festival is celebrated between February and March every year. It's display of artifacts, performances and many interesting events make it one of the biggest tourist attraction in Africa. The fishing contest, the regalia on water and other performances are some of the aspects tourists do not want to miss. Did to up know that drummers do not just beat drums for entertainment? The idea was to attract fishes to the water surface so as to make it less difficult for the participants.

In Benin, an ancient city which is located in the Mid-western part of the country , the end of the rainy season and the gathering of the harvest is celebrated once every Four years. It provides the opportunity for single men and ladies to undergo a matchmaking ceremony. These singles are from wealthy parents because of the expensive nature of the event. The women are adorned with costly and enormous ornaments and beads on their bodies and in their hair.

The single men involved must be financially capable of taking care and protecting these single ladies. It's a colourful in which money, wealth and status are being displayed.

In Lagos State which is located in the Southern Western part of Nigeria, the Eyo Festival is the largest crowd-pulling festival in Nigeria due to the location of Lagos state. During the occasion, many areas of Lagos are blocked and vehicles are parked in designated areas. The Eyo Masqueraders who go in a procession are large in numbers that they can be found in different parts of Lagos Island. Tourists and Spectators stand on the sides of the road to watch them perform or walk fast. It is not a yearly event or celebration : the Eyo festival is organised to celebrate the passing of a very important personality. Sometimes, it could be staged for ritual cleansing of the entire streets to eradicate problems such as illnesses, untimely deaths and poverty. Locally made brooms are literally used to sweep the streets on such occasions. As a tourist or a passerby, you're not allowed to put on a cap, scarf or shoes during the festival or unfold your umbrella.