Izuchukwu OkosiThere are several cultural festivals in Nigeria dating back to the last century. We acknowledge these festivals as unique identities of our people and tradition.
Some of these events created by historical figures and circumstances have been passed down to the next generations.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelPrime Business Africa here presents the five most popular cultural events that still make waves in Nigeria many years after it all began.
1. Ofala Festival In Onitsha
There is a popular saying in the city of Onitsha by the indigenes: “Ife Onitsha na eme erika” meaning: “Onitsha is capable of doing so many (great) things.”
The Ofala festival in this city is considered to be the first in the east of the Niger.
Ofala is celebrated in other eastern towns like Nnewi, Umuoji, Ukpo, Dunukofia, Agulu etc.
However the ceremony in Onitsha is unique as its people bring lots of colour, creativity and pride to it.
Obi Alfred Achebe has made it even better with corporate organizations identifying with it.
It starts with the ‘Azu Ofala’ celebrated with the youths and masquerade groups performing brilliant artistic movements and rites.
The ceremony which dates back to the 16th century is a two-day event and is currently powered by one of the leading communication giants operating on the African continent.
The every is usually held in the month of October annually which sees the Obi of Onitsha emerge in public space after a period of solitude to offer prayers and supplication on behalf of his subjects.
2. The Kano Dubar Festival
Kano is one of the most successful cities in Nigeria due to immense culture and history.
Its one of the most commercially viable cities in the country and one that takes it’s pride of place in historic events.
The Kano Darbur festival is a demonstration of the cultural identity in Northern Nigeria.
The event is lightened up by local musicians who serenade the crowd with their special brand of songs.
Horse parades, royal pageantry by the men and women who model their special attires and props especially the beating drum.
The festival showcases these special horse riders and dancers in their pomp.
The motrnach, Emir, offers a routine prayer while there a mounted parade follows afterwards.
READ ALSO:Ojúde Ọba Festival: Governor Abiodun Extols Virtues Of Ijebuland
3. Nupe Day Celebration
In exactly two weeks from the date of this publication (June 26), the Nupe Day Celebration will be observed by the Nupe people predominantly of Benue State.
The event is a traditional and festival which marks the day when the British Army was defeated by a native African army on 26 June 1896.
On that fateful day, the British Protectorate in Lokoja (present day capital of Kogi State) approached the Bida military camp at Ogidi.
This culminated in the defeat of the British Constabulary and the Union Jack was seized by the Nupe calvary.
The day starts with prayers in both mosques and churches on the first and last days.
4. The Ojude Oba Festival
The Ojude Oba festival is a successor of the Odeda festival, which was also an annual event in which the worshippers of several traditional religions such as Sango, Egungu, Osun, Ogun, Yemule and so on come together to showcase their identities by dancing in turns to drums and songs in front of the Awujale, Olisa.
“Ojude Oba” is a Yoruba phrase meaning “the kings forecourt”
The ceremony began over two centuries ago. Usually, the ceremony is usually held on the third day after Eid.
The occasion was originally a modest gathering of the Muslim faithful, thanking the king for allowing them to practise their religion freely.
The Ojude-Oba Festival is a one-day celebration of culture, fashion, glamour, candour, beauty and royalty as sons and daughters of Ijebuland.
The ceremony sees the convergence of the sons and daughters of the state from home and in diaspora.
5. The Calabar Carnival
This is a very popular annual carnival cum Festival l held in Cross River State, Nigeria.
Also known as Africa’s Biggest Street Party, akin to that of the Brazilian carnival, the Calabar Carnival is celebrated by the state government every December and was declared by the then governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke as an activity to mark Christmas celebration yearly.
Cross River State and in particularly Calabar city becomes a haven of tourists and fun seekers when the carnival comes around.
The festival used to be a month long but it has now become a two-week event.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
