Strange Cultural Festivals to Experience in Nigeria

Alright, we know civilization has come to Nigeria and seems to have eaten up the tradition of the people. English language has become the norm of the day, and technology has entered into every home as cell phones and television. However, his hasn’t stopped some strange cultural festivals from taking place. We are calling out out five strange cultural festivals that would stun some international visitors who may not have heard about them before.

Sharo Cultural Festival

The Sharo cultural festival is mean and notorious with its rites. You think you are a man who is ready to marry? Forget about giving of flowers to the ladies and opening the doors, and come for flogging – serious flogging. The Fulani tribe of the northern Nigeria practice this hard culture where men are armed with whips. These armed men would descend on the suitors with these whips expecting them to shed tears amid drumming and loud cheering. Very strange, but very real.

Eyo Festival

The Eyo Festival may look beautiful on the television. But, you shouldn’t try to break any of its rules if you are participating. You are not expected to ride bicycles, come out with suku hairstyle (popular among the Yoruba people), wear sandals – and if you are caught smoking, you are going to pay dearly for it. The white clad masquerades may punish you if you do any of the above listed rules. You just have to do your homework before you come here.

Sango Festival

The number of people dressed in red might scare the kids. The festival seems like a ritual, but no human beings are killed. Here you would witness things that you may believe only happen in Nollywood movies. This is a serious business, and there is no room for those here to play around.

The Onitsha Ivories Festival

The Onitsha Ivories Festival is different and exotic. It is luxurious and weird as well. You may be surprised to see some high class ladies in Nigeria gathering ivory and coral for their costumes. The 25 kilos ivory seen here is a sign of prestige and wealth. These women spend hundreds of thousands to be presentable for their ‘ozo’ titles by the king.

The Benin Festival

Every four years, we see thousands of people come home to witness a bizarre matchmaking festival among the eligible men and women. They are acquainted in a ritual manner. In the beginning, clothes weren’t allowed in this event which made it even more strange.