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Wole Soyinka
TRADITIONAL FESTIVALS
Festivals are common to all communities in Nigeria, and Lagos is no exception. These traditional events are avenues of celebrating all aspects of life such as the agricultural seasons, religion, history, traditional sports, homage to the traditional rulers, music and dance among others.
During festivals, the rich cultural heritage and the creative industries of the communities are showcased. They are spaced throughout the year except for the rainy season from May to July when outdoor activities are hampered by frequent rainfalls.
Eyo Festival
The Eyo Festival is is primarily a Lagosian festival that dates back to the twelfth century. The festival celebrates the Important social roles of a town: its chiefs, known-families, sons and daughters, achievers that have made the town proud. Male dancers from various indigenous families covered in hooded flowing sheets, a top-hat, and a bat-like stick (Or-kpan-bata) yells out screeching sounds in approaching seated dignitaries and invitees. It is disloyal for a spectator to have on shoes, hats, or head-ties in the presence of an Eyo. Climax of festival occurs when dancers, in a procession-like format before invited dignitaries, in masked voices, raised bats and on one-foot, ushering salutations, praise names, and songs as they pass by.
Olokun Festival
The Olokun Festival is the name of two annual Yoruba cultural festivals: one in late February that takes place in Usonigbe, the site of the orisha Olokun's original shrine, in Edo State, and another, more modern festival that is held in Lagos State in November. The Olokun festival has over the years provided a veritable platform where the Yoruba cultural and traditional values and heritages can be showcased, adding that it is an avenue where thousands of tourists from different parts of the world come to celebrate one of the cherished deities, the Olokun.
Shango Festival
The Shango Festival is celebrated every year in Yoruba land. It reaches its climax after 20 days of preparation and involves sacrifices made at the shrine of the god in the compound of the hereditary priest in Lagos. The priest becomes possessed by the god, gains magical powers, eats fire and swallows gunpowder. A procession then follows him to the Oba's palace, where there is a feast.
Lagos International Jazz Festival
The Lagos International Jazz Festival was first organized in 2008, based on similar festivals in Cape Town and London. The program includes approximately 20 jazz bands—both local and international jazz artists. The organizers have also developed workshops for schools, a photography and arts exhibition, and master classes.