NIGERIAN FESTIVALS
Nigeria is the most populated black country in the world with a population of over 180 million people. Nigeria is a country that is very rich in cultural heritages with this country having over 250 ethnic groups with 420 languages being spoken in the country.
People in Nigeria love their cultures and this shows in the different traditional festivals displayed across different regions of the country. Here are some of Nigeria’s top festivals you will love to know about;
(1)EYO FESTIVAL
The Eyo Festival is a festival for the Yoruba people it is celebrated in Lagos state of Nigeria. The festival is said to have been started by a man called Adamu Orisa. This festival is usually performed when an Oba (King) or an high chief dies. It can also be performed when a notable person from Lagos, who has contributed tremendously to the improvement of the state dies.
(2)SHANGO FESTIVAL
The Shango festival is also a Yoruba festival and it celebrates Shango the god of thunder and fire who was a Yoruba god. According to stories this god was said to have committed suicide by hanging himself. The festival lasts for as long as 20 days and sacrifices are offered to the god in the in the place of the god’s priest.
(3) THE OFALA FESTIVAL
This festival is celebrated by the people of Onitsha in Anambra state of Nigeria. This festival is believed to be an opportunity for the indigenes of Anambra to come together to sing, dance and meet up with old friends. This festival takes place every October and it takes place for 3 days.
(4) NEW YAM FESTIVAL
The new yam festival is practiced by the Igbo people of Nigeria especially those from the middle belt and the people of Southern and Eastern part of Nigeria. It is held every year at the end of each rainy season ranging from the start of August to October. It is said to represent the end of a harvest and also the beginning if another working period.
(5) THE DURBAR FESTIVAL
The Durbar festival is celebrated in the Northern part of Nigeria it is celebrated by the riding of horses to celebrate the ancient wars fought by the ancestors of the Northern people. The festivals commences with prayers accompanied by a march by the Emir and his followers on horses and this festival ends at the Emir’s palace.
I am a Nigerian and I am proud of my country’s Traditions and Festivals.
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