SEC-S17W3: National Festival
Nigeria as a nation has many national festivals that used to be celebrated annually, festivals like democracy day, children's Day, Youth Day, and Independent Day, it also has cultural festivals like Calabar Carnival, Durbar Festival, etc. I have written about some of these festivals before, and today I will write about a new one, and how it's been celebrated, so stay glued!
The greatest festival in my country Nigeria is Independence Day which is also known as the National Day. It Commemorates Nigeria's independence from British colonial rule on October 1st, 1960. Nigerians celebrate this day yearly with cultural displays, speeches, parades, and festive activities throughout Nigeria.
Until October 1st, 1960 Nigeria was under the control of the British Empire. On this day it was freed from the colonial master and became a sovereign state with the first president who was Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. This was remarkable, it marked an end to colonialism and the beginning of a democratic and independent nation. Independence Day has been celebrated as a national festival for more than 60 years now, to honor our country's cultural heritage and independence.
Nigeria's Independence Day is celebrated with a lot of patriotism and enthusiasm all over our country. Numerous activities usually take place to mark the occasion:
1. Flag-hoisting Ceremony: The Nigerian flag is hoisted in public places, like Schools, parks, stadiums, and government offices. The ceremony is usually open with the national anthem sung.
2. Parades and Marches: Military and civilian parades are held in all the states in Nigeria. Pupils, Students, and People normally participate in colorful processions, dressed in school uniforms, and traditional and modern outfits.
3. Speeches and Addresses & Cultural Displays: The President normally gives an open speech to address the importance of this day and the future of the country. Nigeria is a diverse Country with many ethnic groups, and as such Independence Day celebrations allow showcasing the country's rich culture. There are cultural displays, talent showcases, debates, speeches that used to be given by School children, dances, and music performances organized to entertain people.
5. The celebration often concluded in the evening with a display of fireworks.
Special Rules:
The foremost rules and regulations are to ensure that the people in the event are safe and the celebration is peaceful for example fireworks might not be allowed in certain areas to prevent fires and accidents. Security Men are usually rampant on this day to prevent any untoward incident.
Yes, there are special outfits and foods for celebrating National Day in Nigeria.
Outfits:
On Independence Day school children often dress neatly in their unique school uniform, white socks, and sandals. Dancers normally dress in their various traditional attires same goes with Musicians. But generally is common for people to put on Ankara our traditional clothes. Ankara is patterned and brightly colored fabric worn to celebrate our heritage and culture. In addition to these people used to wear green-and-white-themed clothing to represent the colors of the Nigerian flag.
Foods:
We have several traditional foods that are commonly enjoyed on this special day and they include:
1. Jollof Rice: This is the most popular dish in my country, it is made with tomato sauce, vegetables, meat, and spices.
2. Suya: This is a spicy grilled meat kebab made with lamb chicken, beef, pork, or goat that is marinated in a mixture of spices before being grilled.
3. Akara: This is a fried bean cake made with black-eyed peas that's typically served as a breakfast or snack. Is a fried bean cake made with black-eyed beans, pepper, onions, salt, and seasoning cubes.
4. Pounded Yam and White Soup: one of our staple foods made with pounded yam and eaten with white or egusi soup.
Overall, Independence Day in Nigeria is normally a time for reflection and celebration with special traditional outfits and foods being a big part of the festivities
To be very sincere, I never took part in this celebration due to my religious beliefs, however, I can tell you that it's one of the biggest and eventful celebrations in Nigeria, commemorated every 1st of October to celebrate Nigeria's freedom from the colonial masters.
The day is observed with various parades from both military personnel and civilians, Flag-raising ceremonies, and cultural events throughout the country. Citizens often wear their traditional outfits and displays of fireworks in big cities. It's the day of reflection for leaders, thinking about how to improve the country, and a day of pride for Nigerians to celebrate our culture, heritage, and tradition, to celebrate our progress as a nation.
Hello @ruthjoe, @jozzie90 and @blessedbee join this contest.
1st October 1960 is the year our beloved country gained her independence from the British rule, and this national festival is celebrated yearly, that's come every 1st October. And during the process of the celebration that day is set aside for public holiday, whereby schools, banks and every other government agencies would be closed for that day. And different organizations including students and pupils would be seated in the stadium, parades, match pass and all kinds of cultural displays would be seen there.
Infact that day you'll see people wearing green white green, and even in my church we use to have a music concert that falls within that period. I enjoyed reading from you ma'am, best of luck
It's good to learn this from you, I'm glad you like my post, thanks for reading me
My pleasure ♥️
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In your country, Nigeria, they celebrate Democracy Day, which began on October 1, 1960. These celebrations take place annually with cultural exhibitions, speeches, parades and festive activities, since this date was when Nigeria was liberated from British command.
For this day they usually hold ceremonies, parades, marches, speeches and cultural exhibitions, as for the schools, they wear their uniform giving an attribute to this day of independence of their country.
Saludos 👍🇻🇪
Thank you so much for visiting me today Wilmer Friend. I appreciate your contribution
Independence day is very dear to all of us. This day is a symbol of our sovereignty and freedom from foreign interference. This day is special to all of us. People from different levels of government and private institutions of the country make this day special through various activities. Especially military and children's parade make the day festive.
You did not attend this festival because of Ampa's religious restrictions. So I salute your faith in religion. Stay well.
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•@nasir04
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You're absolutely right! Thanks for contributing meaningfully to my post, I appreciate the fact that you respected my stance. Thank you!
I think, first religion then other things.
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Thank you so much @eliany
This is lovely, I remember back in school days we use to celebrate this with a match past. Nigeria has such a wonderful festival.
You're right, our cultural heritage is very rich and it's high time we fully adopt it. I hope you will join the contest!
Hi @goodybest! Your photography of Nigeria's Independence Day celebration vividly depicts the nation's pride and unity in commemorating its liberation from colonial rule. The celebrations, which feature flag-raising ceremonies, parades, cultural performances and traditional foods, reflect the depth of patriotism and cultural richness. Your personal reflection adds nuanced perspective, recognizing diversity while honoring the importance of the day to the nation. Best luck!
Thank you so much for the compliment, contribution and good wishes @kouba01
Growing up as a kid I always loved independence day celebration, firstly because I will not be going to school for learning rather I would going to the national stadium neatly dressed to match.
It's a holiday for me and Dad will always take us out. This is my second reason for loving it.
Thank you for the invite, success!
Aww, it's good to learn how you feel about this day dear, and of course, it's a holiday, thanks for responding, I appreciate your contribution.
Dear,@goodybest
I enjoyed your contest post, it's great to know about your country's national festival, independence day through your post, actually there is nothing better than celebrating your country's national festival, patriotism first and for most, I enjoyed your reading.