Here are some of the top Carnivals in Nigeria
Yam festivals – the festivals are usually held at the beginning of august or at the end of the rainy season. It is named after yams, the most common food in many African countries. In Nigeria, dancers wear masks, people offer yams to gods and ancestors before distributing them to the villagers. Some states in Nigeria mostly the Igbo call the yam festival different names like Orureshi in the Idoma area, Iwa Ji, Iri Ji or ike ji, Iriji-mmanwu in the Igbo area depending on the dialect. At the festival, over two thousand masqueraders from across Igbo land and from other states in Nigeria dance and give displays, wearing unique and colorful costumes.
Carniriv Festival - is an annual festival, held in Port Harcourt. The carnival starts few weeks before Christmas and lasts for seven days. During this time several ceremonial events are held, most of which hold some cultural and or sacred significance. The government of rivers state recognizes Carniriv as its biggest tourism export.
Calabar carnival - the Carnival has been held in Calabar since 2006, including band competitions, a parade, food, and dancing. It has been called Nigeria’s biggest street party. People wear different costumes. The Calabar carnival holds at the end of the year in Nigeria.
Ogun festival - is an annual festival observed by the Yoruba people of Ondo State, Nigeria in honour of Ogun, a warrior and powerful spirit of metal work believed by the Yoruba to be the first god to arrive on the earth.
Igogo Festivals - The igogo festival is an annual festival held in Ondo states, It is a festival that usually lasts for seventeen days in which the olowo of owo and high chiefs of owo kingdoms are dressed as women to celebrate and pay homage to queen oronsen a mythical wife of olowo rerengejen in appreciation for her protection.
Eyo festival - The festival is held in Lagos, Nigeria, it is usually performed in Lagos island. Eyo also refers to the masquerades that come out during the festival. It is widely believed that eyo is the forerunner of the modern-day carnival in brazil. No one is to wear hats during the festival.
Ofala (authority of the land) festival - also called ofala Nnewi, is an annual ceremony practiced by the indigenes of Onitsha in Anambra state. The festival which is described as the most important surviving traditional ceremony of Onitsha indigenes is celebrated within two days mostly in December and January in honour of the obi (king).
Osun festival - is held at the end of the rainy season, usually in August, at the oshogbo sacred forests. The week-long festival is held in honor of the river goddess Osun, an important Yoruba deity, and is attended by thousands of people. It includes ceremonies where priests seek protection for their local communities through gifts and sacrifices to the goddess.
Sharo / Shadi Festival - is a traditional rite of passage for jafun Fulani men. The youths, escorted by girls, are led into the ring of spectators bare-chested and armed with whips. As the noise of singing, drumming, and cheering rise to a crescendo, each young man must stoically endure a flogging to demonstrate his manhood. The young man only qualifies to marry if he passes the test, most do pass, but carry scars for the rest of their life. The sharo is generally staged at the time of the dry-season guinea corn harvest, and again during the festival of id-el-Kabir. Usually, it lasts for a week and is held in a marketplace. Entertainment includes dances, musical performances, and tricksters, but the flogging ceremony is the main event.
Sango festival - Sango festival, also known as the world sango festival is usually held in august at the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo. The festival which is observed in over forty countries in the world is held in honor of sango, the thunder and fire deity.
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