NIGERIAN CULTURAL HERITAGE

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Nigeria is a country that is endowed with a lot of cultural heritages from its multicultural communities. These heritages and traditions are passed down to generations and serve as a basis of identity which distinguishes a nation or ethnic group from another. Here in Nigeria, there are several occasions and carnivals marshalled from January to December.

Carnivals and Festivals lined up to intoxicate (like we say in our local palace, "E CHOKE") anyone and everyone. Festivals to mare you with indecision on which one you should celebrate. Without further ado let me introduce you to the various Carnivals that always make Nigerian cultural heritage special in this part of the world.

Experience the most exciting and thrilling moment of your life with the biggest and most colourful carnivals served to you in Nigeria. Carnivals such as;

CALABAR CARNIVAL

This is the most gorgeous festival in Nigeria popularly known as the "pride of the street" as it is ranked "Africa's Biggest Street Party". It is a week-long event which is usually celebrated from 24th December to 31st annually.

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_{Foreign dancers in calabar carnival source}

It is deemed the closest thing to the Rio de Janeiro carnival of Brazil. The Calabar Festival is a carnival marked for its creativity and culture, as it integrates both the conventional and contemporary lifestyles of the people of Cross River State. It showcases colourful costumes, music and mesmerising dancers from all over Africa and the world beyond.

_{Dancers in calabar carnival source}

_{Nigerian Dancers source}

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ARGUNGU FISHING FESTIVAL

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Is an annual festival that usually lasts for four days and it is celebrated by the people of Kebbi State, Nigeria, and other neighbouring states like Niger. People of this region are mostly fishermen so they use this means to show the world and tourists their culture and traditions.

^{A participant of the Argungu Fish Festival source}

_{A participant with his kill Image source}

It is also known as a Fishing-Frenzy Festival. As it is celebrated to mark the inception of the new fishing season in Argungu, a riverside town in Kebbi State. It is usually observed between February and March every year.

EYO FESTIVAL

^{Dancers in Eyo Festival source}
Also known as the Adamu Orisha Play is a festival celebrated by the people of Lagos State, Nigeria (The Yorubas). It serves as a platform for showcasing its history and rich traditions to tourists all over the world.

_{Eyo festival Stilt performer source}

_{Masquerades dancers at Eyo festival source}

_{Masquerades dancers at Eyo festival source}

"Eyo" which refers to costumed dancers, otherwise known as the masquerades, is the reason why all dancers are dressed as masquerades. The Eyo festival served as a traditional rite of passage to escort the soul of a departed King or Chief (Oba) and to usher in a new one.

THE DURBAR FESTIVAL

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The Durbar Festival also referred to as Hawan Sallah or Daushe is one of the most beautiful festivals observed in Nigeria by the northern people of Nigeria in honour of the Eid-Adha and Fitr. It is typically performed after the Eid celebration.

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_{Riders during the Dubar Source}

The Durbar festival is celebrated by the colourful display of Horses by the emir (ruler) and his people and also entails contests in African music and flutes.

THE NEW YAM FESTIVAL

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The new yam festival is an annual binge performed by the people of the southern, western and Idoma tribes in Nigeria. The festivity is among the popular festivals in the country with a very high proportion of the country’s population taking part in it.

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New yam festival is celebrated in August as a rite to mark the conclusion of a harvest and the beginning of the new farming season with colourful traditional and cultural costumes, masquerades, peculiar dance, and as traditional rites to appease the gods for a successful farming year and to also kick start a fresh farming year. Various delicacies of the season’s yam are served as part of the celebration.

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LAGOS CARNIVAL

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This, like the Calabar Carnival, is so colourful but of bare differences, Lagos Carnival is among the most spirited celebrations in Nigeria. It attracts tourists from different parts of the world. The carnival came into origin to celebrate the Brazilian former slave returnees who came back to reside in Lagos in the 19th century.

_{Dancers at Lagos carnival Image source}

_{Sato drummers at Lagos carnival Source}

The event which usually takes place on Lagos Island is filled with displays of colourful costumes and numerous forms of entertainment comprising of music and dancing. The carnival also illustrates the diverse mixture of Nigerian, Brazilian and Cuban lineage of the city.

OFALA FESTIVAL

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The Ofala festival is also known as Ofala Nnewi and it is celebrated by indigenes of Onitsha State as a rite of renewal of their king (traditionally knowns as Igwe or Obi). This festivity usually lasts for 2 days In December.
_{Igwe in Afola carnival source}

_{Models in Afola carnival source}

It is portrayed as the most extraordinary cultural extravaganza in all Igbo lands as it celebrates the rich culture of the Igbo indigenes. _{Masquerade in Afola carnival source}

So why not book a ticket now as these are all festivals one should not miss, as they displays an array of masquerades and incredible parades. Come! Join in the fun of these Carnivals, Make new friends and share memorable junctures with family and friends.

Like always, because I can't be here to write without you all on the other side, I can never stop being appreciative of your great works. Thank you all for always making out time to go through my work. I can never say thank you enough. You are my real MVPs.

THANKS TO YOU ALL!!!

NOTE: Always have a smalle on your face, as you are never fully dressed without one.