Entertainment
Check Out Nigerian Cultural Festivals To Enjoy In 2019
Festivals in Nigeria are a time to immerse fully in culture and be a more relaxed version of oneself. We are anticipating everything from food and music to art and film in some spectular locations. Check out the various cultural events this year.
Argungun Fishing Festival (February): One of the famous cultural festivals in Nigeria, the Argungu festival takes place in Kebbi state. Thousands of fishermen from the Northern region come together and compete in catching the largest fish in the river using only traditional nets.
Gidifest(March): It is an annual pop culture festival of foods,drinks,sports and music .
Lagos International Jazz Festival[(April): Scheduled to hold in Lagos Island from April 27-30,the Lagos International Jazz Festival brings together award winning jazz artistes and enthuasiasts including the likes of Grammy a3ward winning artistes like Jermaine Jackson, Lekan Babalola .
Lagos Carnival[(May): This is the celebration that emphasizes what a melting pot of culture Lagos truly is. From western Nigeria to Brazil and Cuba the colourful carnival usually involves dancing, music, dazzling costumes and visitors from all over Nigeria.
Durbar Festival(June): Durbar festival or Hawan Daushe is Northern Nigeria cultural treasure. The Durbar is celebrated at the end of Ramadan, Eid el-fitri and at the start of pilgrimage to Mecca. Eid el kabir, Durbar festival holds in Kano, Bida in Niger State, Katsina , Sokoto and Bauchi .
New Yam Festival(August) : The new yam festival or iwaji, ikei , iri iji is an annual festival that holds for a week in August. It is time when the people from southern and eastern Nigeria gather to celebrate the new yams of the season with folk dances, masquerades and parables. The yams are offered to gods or ancestors first before they are eaten.
Ojude Oba Festival (August): It holds in August 23, the Ijebu Ode people celebrate their culture and heritage three days after the start of Eid-el-kabir.
Osun Osogbo Festival(August): This is a two week programme of events in August that typically revolves around the cleansing of the Iwon ‘Iwopopo’. This is followed by the lighting of a 500 year old 16 point lamp ‘’olojomerindinlogun ‘’ .
Igogo Festival (September) : The Igogo festival lasts a total of 17 days in owo, Ondo State. Just like the new yam festival, it also features the blessing and release of new yams.
Lights Camera Africa Film Festival : The lights, camera Africa Film festival was created in 2011 to stimulate discourse on issues and experiences that are rooted in the African experience. The annual event shares a diverse range of African and independent cinema including documentary, feature and animation, supporting the work of emerging African Film makers .
programme of films, keynote conversations and discussions on issues affecting the cinema with participation from film makers, critics, directors and the press. The event usually takes place between November and December.
ABUJA CARNIVAL [NOVEMBER ] : It usually takes place at the end of November, the Abuja Carnival is organized by the carnival road show company and promises to showcase the diverse cultural events and practices in all 36 states of Nigeria. Road shows, music and dance, masquerades are just a few of the highlights.
CALABAR CARNIVAL [DECEMBER] : The Calabar festival is the most anticipated cultural festival in Nigeria with visitors and performers coming in from all over the world. It is tagged as Africa’s Biggest Street Party and holds in Cross River State all through December.
Popular businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, aka Cubana Chief Priest, has said that his relationship with singer Davido is beyond money and gossip.
He stated this in a recent interview with BBC Igbo.
“Davido is my friend. He is my in-law; he married Chioma who is from Imo State where I hail from.
“So the relationship I have with Davido is beyond money and gossip,” he said.
DAILY POST reports that Chief Priest disclosed via his Instagram page that his outfit for the wedding of the singer, Davido and his wife, Chioma, in Lagos on Tuesday cost seven million Naira.
The socialite recently appreciated Davido for not “discarding” Chioma.
He stated that the DMW boss has made Imo State proud by choosing to marry from the state.
Nigerian singer Simisola Kosoko, popularly known as Simi, has lent her voice to the ongoing anti-tax hike protests in Kenya.
The Tide’s source reports that Kenyan youths are marching against tax hike in widespread demonstrations tagged ‘RejectFinanceBill2024.’
Five people were shot dead and dozens wounded after police clashed with protesters who stormed the parliament building in Nairobi on Tuesday, according to Amnesty Kenya.
Reacting via her X handle on Tuesday night, Simi declared her support for the demonstrators.
She stated that “it is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights.”
The singer wrote, “I stand with the people of Kenya. It is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights. Godspeed and Strength. [Hash tag] RejectFinanceBill2024.”
In a series of other posts, she wrote: “Wow. When you’ve had enough, the fight is almost inevitable.
“African leaders- have not you done enough?
“I can’t wait for the day Africa is not a weapon fashioned against Africans. All of this amazing Black power and human resource, but the majority are not likely to thrive unless they run.”
Famous Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Davido was spotted among other top artistes at Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour concert in Atlanta, Georgia.
Asake’s performance at his sold-out show at the 17,000-capacity State Farm Arena in Atlanta began on August 16, 2024, and is set to run for 10 days.
In a trending video on social media, Davido appeared backstage with American rapper Quavo to support Asake during the live performance.
Other musicians in attendance included Nigerian hitmaker Zlatan and American rapper Russ Millions.
The Tide’s source reports that Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour is set to cover six U.S. cities, where he will headline notable venues including Madison Square Garden in New York, the Toyota Center in Houston, and the State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Asake’s tour comes just days after the release of his latest hit, ‘Lungu Boy,’ which features several superstars, including Wizkid, British rappers Central Cee and Stormzy, Travis Scott and Brazilian singer Ludmilla.
‘Lungu Boy’ set a new record for the biggest opening week on Spotify Nigeria, garnering 18.9 million streams in its opening week and breaking the previous record of 14.4 million streams held by Davido’s ‘Timeless.’