Home
TOURISM
Posted by Chester Morton / Saturday 28 July 2018 / No comments
Some major festivals in Nigeria
FESTIVALS IN NIGERIA
Introduction
Festivals are a major factor in the Nigerian tourism industry
apart from their cultural significance. Over the years, many festivals in
Nigeria have evolved into international dimensions. Visitors come from wide and
near just to witness the activities associated with a particular festival. Some
selected festivals are discussed in the following write up.
Image: tourguidenigeria.com |
Argungu International Fishing Festival
One of the
major festivals celebrated in Nigeria is the Argungu International Fishing
Festival of the people of Kebbi State in North-Western Nigeria and which takes
place near the Mmatan Fada River. This annual festival is usually celebrated in
the later part of February into early March. It is celebrated for four straight
days. Some of the activities engaged in include hand-fishing, canoe racing,
wrestling and boxing. One major reason for the festival is to contribute to
peace between the Argungu and neighbouring communities of Sokoto. Another
reason is to maintain the quality of the water and ensure the fish stock is not
depleted. One advantage of the festival is that it helps to transfer unique
fishing techniques to the younger generations.
Oshogbo International Festival
The Oshogbo International Festival was first celebrated as a
local festival dating back about six hundred years. The people of Osun, in the
South-Western area of Nigeria, have been celebrating this festival since 1370.
The foundation of this festival is the ancient relationship between the River
Goddess and the first chief of the town called Oba (Chief) Gbadewolu Laroye. Currently,
the festival has assumed an international proportion with visitors coming from
both outside the state of Osun, where the festival takes place and also from
outside Nigeria. The festival is based on the belief that Oshogbo town was
founded by the Osun river goddess that is why the Osun Oshogbo festival must be
celebrated to honour the goddess. In the month of August every year, the people
gather at the sacred groove of the goddess to partake in the activities or to
just observe and admire the traditions of the people. In recent times, the
festival is attended by tens of thousands of devotees, well-wishers and tourists.
New yam festival
The New Yam Festival is another major festival that is
celebrated in Nigeria. This time, it is celebrated by the Igbo ethnic group.
The festival is usually celebrated at the end of the rainy season of every year;
this is mostly in the early parts of the month of August. Typically, the
festival marks the end of one season and the beginning of another one. The
underlying elements in the festivities show the prominence that is given to the
yam crop in the social and cultural lives of the people. The festival is marked
by ritual cleansing of the people to prepare them for the new yam. This festival
attracts a large group of people from all walks of life and from different
parts of Nigeria and the world. It has also become a significant schedule on
the tourism calendar of the people of Nigeria.
Shao mass wedding
The Shao mass wedding is organized annually by the Shao
community of Moro Local Government Area in Kwara State. On this occasion, every
girl who has reached the marriageable age by traditional standards and has
gotten a suitor is married off. Marriage ceremonies are restricted to this time
of the year alone. The uniqueness of this marriage festival has attracted
international attention and many tourists come every year to witness the
ceremony. Its full potentials are waiting to be tapped by the people of the
community and the State’s Tourism Board.
Sharo festival
The Sharo (flogging) Festival is a rite of passage where male
adolescents of the community are accepted into adulthood. The ceremony is
common among the Fulani community in West Africa. In Nigeria, one of the most
prominent Sharo Festivals is the one celebrated by the Fulfulde-speaking
nomads. One activity associated with the festival is the flogging of young men
by other young men who challenge each other to a contest. At this ceremony, the
endurance levels of the young men are tested to highest point of elasticity.
The festival is celebrated biannually; the first one during the harvesting of
guinea corn and the second one is celebrated during the Muslim festival of
Id-el-Karbir. Usually, after this festival, the young men are accepted as adult
members of the society and can therefore assume adult roles such as getting
married.
Fare Wrestling Festivals
Fare wrestling is a common phenomenon in many Nigerian
communities. It dates back to pre-colonial times and some communities have kept
the practice going and have turned it into great annual tourist destinations.
One of these many fare wrestling festivals is the Kokowa
Wrestling Festival in Zamfara State. The festival takes place mostly in the dry
season when there is less farm work. At this wrestling festival, young men gather
at the village square to exhibit their skills and supremacy in wrestling
matches. The winners of wrestling matches are handsomely rewarded and are
accorded much respect in the village, especially among their peer groups.
Another one is the Anioma Cultural Festival in Delta State.
It is an annual event which is organized by the Organization for the
Advancement of Anioma Culture (OFAAC). The festival involves drumming and
dancing in addition to wrestling contests.
SAMPLE QUESTION(S)
1. a. What is a festival?
b. Identify and
highlight five festivals in your country.
ALSO READ:
The roles of private agencies in tourism in Nigeria
The roles of public agencies in tourism in Nigeria
<<Back to Home Page
Go to other topics tourism>>
Go to the list of subjects>>
Related Posts