One of the largest ethnic groups in Nigeria is the Yoruba people. The Yoruba people, who live mostly in southwest Nigeria, have a rich and distinctive cultural history that is celebrated through numerous festivals. The top ten festivals in Yoruba land are listed below for those who would like to visit the region.
1. The Osun-Osgogbo Festival
The Osun-Osgogbo festival is celebrated in the month of August at the grove. Yearly, the festival attracts thousands of Osun worshippers, spectators and tourists from all walks of life. For the people of Osogbo Land, August is a month of celebration, traditional cleansing of the city and cultural reunion of the people with their ancestors and founders of the Osogbo Kingdom.
The Osun-Osogbo Festival is a two-week-long programme. It starts with the traditional cleansing of the town called ‘Iwopopo’, which is followed in three days by the lighting of the 500-year-old sixteen-point lamp called ‘Ina Olojumerindinlogun’.
2. Sango Festival
Sango Festival is an annual festival in Nigeria held among the Yoruba people in honour of Sango, a thunder and fire deity who was a warrior and the third king of the Oyo Empire after succeeding Ajaka his elder brother. Renamed in 2013 to World Sango Festival by the government of Oyo State, the festival is usually held in August at the palace of the Alaafin of Oyoand.
3. Eyo Festival
The Eyo Festival, also known as the Adamu Orisha Play, is a Nigerian festival unique to the people of Lagos state. The 24 days festival features a major parade with participants dressed in white flowing robes that cover their entire body, top hats and sticks; and masquerades referred to as “Eyo” as well as costumed dancers.
The festival sweeps through the entire city with focus on the Lagos Island and attracts a large number of tourists from around the world
4. Ojude Oba Festival
Ojude Oba is a popular Yoruba annual festival in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria. The festival always holds on the third day after Eid al-Kabir. Ojude Oba Festival is a festival that showcases history, legends, conquest, and diversity. During the festival, a majority of indigenes of ijebu Ode travel from far and near to pay homage to their king.
5. Egungun Festival
The Egungun festival is a part of the Yoruba traditional religion. It is performed to mark the death of important personalities, the festival is common among the Egbas, Egbados, Oyo and other parts of south western Nigeria
6. Aje Festival
The Aje festival is one of the most prominent festivals celebrated in Yoruba land. The Aje Festival which is celebrated in the town of Ile Ife by the Ooni of Ife is a celebration of wealth and fertility. It also enhances the role of women in lineage maintenance
7. Igogo Festival
The Igogo Festival is a Yoruba festival which takes place every year. The festival is held in honour of Queen Orosen, a goddess and a mythical wife of ancient Oluwo of Iwo, Olowo Rerengejen. The festival takes place every year in the month of September and lasts for seventeen days.
During the festival celebration, the king of Owo and the high chiefs all dress like women wearing beaded gowns, coral beads, head gears and caps with their hair plaited.
8. Olojo Festival
Olojo Festival is an annual festival in Ile-Ife town in Osun State. The festival is a celebration of Ogun the god of Iron. Olojo festival day which can be literally translated as the “Owner of the day”, signifies the day of the year that the Olodumare (creator of the universe) has specially blessed.
The Ooni, the king of Ile-Ife appears in public on this day with the Are Crown after several days of being in seclusion. On this day, the Ooni will visit different shrines to offer prayers for the peace in Yoruba lands
9. Oro Festival
Oro Festival is a festival celebrated in almost all Yoruba settlements and towns in Nigeria. The festival is an annual one with only male descendants of the paternal natives of the town where the festival is taking place.
During the Oro festival, non-natives and females stay indoors because it is believed that it is a taboo for a woman or anyone who is not allowed to participate in the festival to see the Oro.
10. Edi festival
The Edi/Moremi Festival is a celebration of independence for Ife, it started as a means of celebrating the role the legendary Queen Moremi played and the ultimate sacrifice the Queen Moremi Ajasoro made for the people of Yorubaland.