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EYO Festival
Eyo Festival is unique to Lagos area. The festival is so rampant with people that the highway in the heart of the city (from the end of Carter Bridge to Tinubu Square) is closed to traffic to allow the procession from Idumoto to Iga Indunganran. Here all the poeple pay their respects to the Oba (King) of Lagos. This festival takes place whenever occassion and tradition demand, but noramlly it is held as the final burial rights for a highly regarded chief.
Sharo/Shadi Festival
This is a festival brought by the complex Jaful Farani who are thought very highly of. Sharo or Shadi means flogging. It starts where by an unmarried man is placed in a ring escorted by beautiful girls. A challenger must then apporach him. The party then erupts into drumming and singing. After it has quietened down a little the challenger must whip (flog) the other man. If the other man whinces in pain he is branded a coward.
The Atilogwu Dance
This is a vigorous dance which literally means "Is this magic?". Uses brilliant colours and gymnastic type foot-stomping rhythms. The persons (both men and women) doing this dance have to undergo intense training before doing it in public. This dance is an art form, done particularly well by the Igbos in Anambra State.
Osun Festival
Named by the wife of Sango who was the god of thunder and former King of Oyo. Widely worshipped in Yorubaland, especially near the River Osun. The water in this river is supposed to have powerful fertility properties for women. Her most important sanctuaries are in Oshogbo, which is contracted from 'Oso Igbo', or spirit of the forest, centered around a palace shrine where the chief priest performs rites and rituals.
Durbar
This festival dates back to when people used horses to get around in the Emirate (state) in the North. Back years ago each town, district and nobility household was expected to contribute a regiment to the defence of the Emirate. A military parade (or Durbar) is held once or twice a year. The Emirate Military Chiefs invite all the various regiments for Emir and his chiefs. During the parade regiments would showcase their horsemanship, readiness for war and loyalty to the Emirate. Nowadays, the Dubar has become a welcoming gesture of visiting Heads of State. There is a Id-el Fitri (commemorating the end of the holy month Ramadan) and Ide-el Kabir (commemorating Prophet Ibrahum sacrificing a ram instead of his son). Of all present day festivals Katsina Durbar is the most magnificent and specracular. Id-el Kabir or Sallah Day, in Katsina begins with prayers outside town, followed by horsemen to the public square in front of the Emir's palace, where each village, group, district and noble house take their assigned place. The Emir arrives last with his splendid retinue taking up their places in front of the palace to receive the jahi, or homage, of their subjects.
The beginning of the festival starts with each group of horsemen racing across the quare at full gallop, swords glinting in the sun. They pass a few feet away from the Emir, stop abruptly to salute him with raised swords.
The last of the riders are the Emir's household and regimental guards (the Dogari) and are the most fierce. After the celebrations, the Emir and his chiefs retire to the palace and the enjoyment of the occassion reigns. Intense drumming, dancing and singing continue through the night, with small bands of Fulanis performing Shadi.
Argungu Fishing Festival
This colourful annual festival is set in Arugungu, a riverside townin Kebbit State, 65 miles from Sokoto. This festival was originated in August 1934 when the late Sultan Dan Mu'azu made an historic visit and is a popular tourist attraction. In tribute, a big fishing festival was organised. Since then, it has become a yearly event held between February and March. Hundreds of local men and boys enter the water with large fishnet scoops. They are joined with canoes full of drummers and men rattling huge seed-filled gourds to drive the fish to sahllow waters. Nets are cast and the fish are harvested. The catch can be from huge Nile Perch to the peculia Balloon Fish. Canoe racing, wild duck hunting, bare handed fishing, diving competitions ann swimming goes on too. Drinking, singing and dancing then continute thorugh the night.
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| QUICK INFO |
Full Name:
Federal Republic of Nigeria
Area:
924,000 sq km (360,360 sq mi)
Population:
125 million
Capital:
Abuja
People:
250 different ethnic groups, including: Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba, Ibo, Kanuri, Ibibio, Tiv, Ijaw
Language:
English and French. The main African languages are Hausa, Yoruba, Ibo, Edo, Efik
Religion:
Muslim (50%), Christian: mostly Roman Catholic (40%), animist (10%)
Government:
Parliamentary democracy
President:
Olusegun Obasanjo
GDP:
US$143.5 billion
GDP per head:
US$1380
Annual Growth:
1.6%
Inflation:
14%
Major Industries:
Crude oil, natural gas, coal, palm oil, peanuts, cotton
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