Festivals

Lagos shines at sango festival celebration in Oyo

Published

2 years ago

August 20, 2024

Isese Day: Traditionalists offer special prayer for Nigeria’s peace, unity, stability

In a vibrant display of cultural exchange and heritage preservation, the Lagos State Government proudly supported the 2024 Sàngó Festival in Oyo State. The CEO of the Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture, Mr. Idowu Johnson, led a team of officials to witness the grand celebration, which took place from August 8 to 17, 2024, at the Festival Arena, Aragon Oyo.

The festival was a spectacular showcase of the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people, featuring stunning dance displays, including the Eyo Masquerade performance by the Lagos State Cultural Troupe. The Lagos State Government, under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has continued to demonstrate its commitment to preserving and sustaining the cultural heritage of the state.

The Sàngó festival, enlisted by UNESCO in 2023, marks the beginning of the Yoruba traditional new year in August and involves ancestral worship, chanting, storytelling, drumming, and dancing. It is an expression of shared identity and social cohesion.

Honourable Minister of the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa underscored the importance of collaboration with local communities, traditional leaders, and international partners to ensure the thriving of cultural heritage in the modern world.

The Oyo State Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal highlighted the state government’s recognition of the significance of culture and tourism in improving the state economy and promoting people’s cultural heritage.

The festival attracted dignitaries from around the world, including representatives from UNESCO and others. Their presence underscored the importance of the Sango Festival on both a national and international level.

The Honourable Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Oyo State, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun expressed his gratitude to the Lagos State Government for their constant support and attendance over the years and extended his prayers and greetings to the state government and people of Lagos.

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Culture

OLOJO….Ile Ife’s September Gift To Culture

Published

2 days ago

October 5, 2026

Mariam Balogun

By Halima Adaba,

It was a featubal if the people. It was for the anciebt town of Ile Ife, which the Yoruba race refards as the Source.

Also read: Olojo Festival 2026: Ooni Urges Leaders to Prioritise Citizens

And ut was a festivsl for the King, Arole Oduduwa, Oonirisa, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.

And so between September 24 and 28th 2026, the annual featuval dazzjed in all its white glory.

Tge Monarch paid the traditional ancestral homage and offered propitiation as part of the sacred rites of the Olojo Festival.
It was a powerful expression of Yoruba heritage, spirituality, and enduring tradition.

Call it a collection of beautiful moments, faces, colours and cultural expressions.

Every frame tells a story.

Every face carries the energy.

Every moment keeps the heritage alive.

Undoubtedly one of the most sacred cultural celebrations in Ilé-Ifẹ̀. It marked a day associated with creation, thanksgiving, ancestral heritage, and the sacred appearance of the Ooni of Ife wearing the revered Aàrẹ crown.

There were also the devotees of the famed god of thunder – Sàngó who were hardly conspicuous at the festival.

Many other traditional groups came out with candor, showing a powerful expression of Yoruba cultural identity, spiritual devotion, and respect for the ancient traditions of Ilé-Ifẹ̀.

Devotees of Sàngó bekieved the ‘appearance’ of the god of thunder on Seotember 26th could be understood as a symbolic meeting of ancestral heritage, spiritual devotion, and the celebration of creation.

It was a moment when the sounds of drums, chants, and traditional praise poetry brought the history of the Yoruba people to life.

Although Olojo is closely associated with Ogun, the god of iron, and the sacred traditions of Ile-Ife, the presence of Sàngó devotees reflected the rich diversity of Yoruba spiritual heritage.

Also read: Olojo Festival 2026: Ooni Urges Leaders to Prioritise Citizens

As a participant enthused at the festival, “To witness Sàngó Olúkòso emerge on Olojo Festival day is to witness a living expression of history, identity, and ancestral pride.”