The Nigerian Festival and Cultural Tours
Nigeria is a federal constitutional republic in West Africa. The country’s rich historical traditions and culture marked it as one of the popular tours of travelers from other countries. The long history of the Nigerian people continues to evolve in its festivals and cultural celebrations. Many people from all walks of life enjoyed the cultural attractions combined with the scenic beauty of Nigeria.
Cultural and festival tours in Nigeria offer a wide variety of cultural highlights, from luxury tours to budget tours. The two main hotspots are the cities of Abuja and Lagos. These are the two important places and the main centers of tourism in Nigeria. Some of the popular festivals of the Festival and Cultural Tours of Nigeria are:
Argungu Fishing Festival
The Argungu Festival marks the end of the fishing period and the ancient opposition between the Kebbi Kingdom and the Sokoto Caliphate. It is held annually from March 12 to 15 in the northwestern state of Arugangu, Kebbi. The festival began in August 1934 when Sultan Dan Mu’azu visited the site.
The festival is one of the major cultural celebrations in Nigeria. A huge fishing festival was organized which was joined by hundreds of local men armed with fishing nets to catch fish. There are also canoes full of drummers. People rattle large gourds filled with seeds to lure fish into shallow water.
The Argungu Fishing Festival offers many fishing competitions as well as canoe racing, bare-hand fishing, wild duck hunting, swimming and diving competitions. The last day of the festival features a hunting competition for the biggest fish. Winners can take home up to $7,500. There was also singing, dancing and drinking after the event.
Benin Festival
The Benin Festival is held at the end of each rainy season after the harvest. It is also called the harvest festival but it is mainly focused on getting to know the men and women of the town. The matchmaking ceremony occurs once every four years for wealthy families. The girls are adorned with heavy bangles and ornaments and coral beads in their hair. Children participate in the game of tug of war to demonstrate their strengths. Both girls and boys have paint on their bodies.
Durbar Festival
The Durbar Festival (military parade) is a parade of horsemen dating back hundreds of years. This is the time when the emirate uses horses and guest regiments in the north during the war. The festival is held in Katsina and Kano. It was organized in honor of Emir.
A parade shows his horsemanship as a tribute to his loyalty to the emirate and preparation for war. Now, it is celebrated as an honor for heads of state and the end of two Muslim festivals such as Ide-el Kabir (sacrifice of a ram instead of the son of the prophet Ibrahim) and Id-el Fitri (end of the month of Ramadan). .
The celebration has many performances by drummers, singers, royal cavalry, and wrestlers. The day of Id-el-Kabir or Sallah begins with a prayer followed by a procession on horseback to the public square. Each district and village group takes its assigned place running at full gallop with flashing swords. Emir was the last to arrive where people pass and stops to greet him raising his swords. There was a lot of dancing, singing and drumming after the event with small bands playing shadi.
Eyo Festival
The Eyo Festival is held as the final funeral rites of a chief by the people of Lagos. He is the pioneer of the current Brazilian carnival. There is a procession from Idumota towards Iga Idunganran. People participating in the festival will pay homage to Oba de Lagos.
igue festival
Igue Festival is a thanksgiving festival that takes place in the city of Benim. It is one of the oldest cultural festivals held every year for peace and prosperity.
Sharo or Shadi Festival
The Shadi Festival (flogging gathering) is about ancient empowerments originating from the Jaful Fulani culture. There are bare-chested single men entering the center of the ring escorted by beautiful girls trying to scare their opponent. Cheers and drums are present as the challenger comes out wielding a whip (belt) to lash his opponent without showing pain.
Other festivals in Nigeria are the Shango Festival (celebrates the god of thunder), the Yam Festival in the south, Ikwerre, Kalabari and the Okrika festivals of the Niger Delta tribe.
Nigerian festivals were the origin of Nigeria’s traditional religious and cultural heritage. The Festival and Cultural Tours offers grand celebrations and fun-filled experiences of singing and dancing, as well as insight into the past history of Nigerian culture.