Nigeria Festivals and Celebrations

Nigeria's calendar of gatherings is one of the richest in Africa. Three of its inscribed traditions are gatherings a visitor could in principle attend, and this page covers each of them.

Sango, in Oyo

The Sango Festival of Oyo marks the beginning of the Yoruba traditional new year in August. UNESCO describes it as an ancestral worship held near the ancient Koso Temple, running for ten days and strongly connected to the social, religious, cultural and political institutions of Oyo State. It commemorates Tella-Oko, the third alaafin or king of the Oyo Empire, who is believed to be the incarnation of the mythical Sango.

Argungu, and the Durbar

The Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival takes place near the Matan Fada River in the north west, over four days between late February and March. UNESCO describes kabanci, a series of water competitions including hand fishing, canoe racing and wild duck catching, alongside local wrestling and boxing.

The Durbar in Kano, the horseback procession in the photograph above, is also on the Representative List.

Argungu is in Kebbi State and the Durbar is in Kano State, both in the north west. Both are extraordinary, and both are places to check the current situation locally before making any plan.