Festival fever: Largely overlooked by international travellers, the vibrant festival scene is unexplored and unspoiled

With more than 250 ethnic groups, hundreds of languages spoken, and a reverence for traditional beliefs and customs, Nigeria boasts a vibrant cultural heritage which is preserved and celebrated in numerous festivals around the country. Nigerians’ flavour for exuberance, unabashed bravado and natural inclination for showmanship make these festivals true spectacles. In a country which is short of traditional tourism infrastructure, visitors can find unique experiences here.

“Nigeria’s most valuable tourism asset is cultural diversity, but it is currently only packaged for local consumption and not for the international market,” former minister of culture and tourism and executive chairman of tourism resources, ambassador Franklin Nchita Ogbuewu, told OBG. “The best way this can be achieved is through festivals, such as the Abuja, Calabar and Lagos carnivals, which already attract many foreigners, even without any significant marketing.”

CALABAR CARNAVAL: Cross Rivers State has been at the forefront of tourism development in the country, and at the turn of the millennium introduced the Calabar Festival as the centre of its destination marketing efforts. Held in November and December each year, the festival runs for 32 days and is attended by millions of onlookers. The festival’s entertainers have included local and international musicians, with South Africa’s late Lucky Dube and Alpha Blondy on a distinguished list of previous performers. The two-day Calabar Carnival is the main event, featuring 100,000 costumed revellers and more than 1m spectators. There are numerous other attractions throughout the festival, including boat regattas, fashion shows, food fairs, sporting events, and educational seminars and workshops to help drive awareness of social issues.

DURBAR FESTIVAL: Every year, hundreds of horsemen gather for three-day Durbar festivals in Kano, Katsina and Niger states to mark the end of Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha. This tradition dates back centuries to an age when noblemen would commit a cavalry regiment to the protection of a local emirate, converging annually for a parade to showcase their military prowess. Communities uphold this tradition today, sending horsemen to compete in races to mark Islamic celebrations and honour traditional leaders and visiting dignitaries. Kano and Katsina are home to the most notable Durbar festivals, which are marketed by tour operators, such as the Nigerian Field Society.

ARGUNGU FISHING FESTIVAL: This four-day festival in Argungu, the capital city of Argungu Emirate Council in the north-western state of Kebbi, has long captured foreign interest. In February or March every year when the harvest is in, thousands of local fishermen armed with traditional fishing tools descend the banks of the Argungu River in a bid to tip the scales with the largest catch, which earns them a substantial cash prize. The ritual began in 1934 to mark the end of hostilities between the Sokoto caliphate and the Kebbi kingdom. In addition to the 45-minute fishing frenzy are canoe races, swimming galas, and the usual revelries of local music and dance that mark traditional Nigerian celebrations. The occasion has inspired similar festivals around the country, such as the Akata Fishing and Cultural Festival in Katsina-Ala, Benue State, and the Nyonyo Fishing Festival in Taraba State.

EYO FESTIVAL: Masks are typically associated with African cultures, and masquerades remain a tacit thread in Nigeria’s cultural fabric. Residents of Lagos will be familiar with Eyo, a Yoruba masquerade that adorns the city in statuettes and carvings. The spirit comes to life during the Eyo Festival, which began in the late 19th century to mark the passing of a traditional Yoruba leader, or oba, and is rumoured by some to be the forerunner to Brazil’s Carnival. There is no specific calendar date for the festival, which customarily takes place to mark the passing of a leader. Eyo refers to the whitecloaked dancers that represent the spirits of the dead. The senior Eyo group known as Adimu, distinguished by black broad-rimed hats, will emerge on a Sunday signalling the festival is to take place the following Saturday, marked by a procession on Lagos Island.