Ijele masquerade: The living Human Treasures

The Ijele masquerade of  the Anambra State in Nigeria is not simply a 'Carnival King' but the King of all  Masquerades, and carries 45 other masquerades on it and performs alone.
Look listen and learn...these are the origins of carnival...
Traditions of mas.

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Photos From Calabar International Carnival 2012

The 2012 edition of one of Africa’s biggest street carnivals, the Calabar International Carnival, lived up to expectations as it attracted more foreign tourists who visited Calabar for the carnival.

It is gradually matching up to the standard big carnivals like the Nottinghill Carnival in the UK and the Rio Carnival in Brazil have set.

Even with absence of the ailing governor of the state, Liyel Imoke, the carnival didn’t fail to hold as the atmosphere around the streets of Calabar was lively. Top Africa’s pay-TV provider, DSTV did a live broadcast of the event. Both local and international media had their reporters covering the carnival.

Brazilian Sampa performed on the stage right before the performance of TRINADAD AND TOBAGO who used drums and acoustics to play many local tunes.

2012 CALABAR INTERNATIONA CARNIVAL is great fun filled event that truly worths all the troubles and roads closed to allow the processions of the entertainers. The carnival was started by Donald Duke, governor of the state between 1999-2007.

SOURCE 

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Nigeria Celebrates Another Eyo Festival

There was a blend of culture, tradition and dance as Lagos State recently concluded this year’s Eyo festival at the Tafawa Balewa Square, held in memory of Chief Yesufu Oniru. The Eyo Festival is also known as Adamu Orisha Play. Being a unique festival among the people of Lagos, there is a widespread belief that Eyo was the forerunner of the modern day carnival in Brazil.

The white-clad Eyo masquerades represent the spirits of the dead, and are called “agogoro Eyo (tall Eyo). It is a one week event that usually ends with the parade and display of colours. The show is restricted to the Island area of Lagos and it is forbidden to be staged outside the approved boundaries in the Island.

The fiesta is regarded as the highest post-humous honour that any community can bestow on a deceased person in appreciation of his contributions to the society. It is primarily held to celebrate and commemorate the passage of an Oba or an illustrious son who contributed immensely to the development of the state. Although it does not have a specific date for the celebration, the Oba of Lagos, on who’s land the celebration takes place, grants an approval for the hosting of the event after holding due  consultations with the Akinsilu of Lagos and the custodians at Awe-Adimu, the base of the senior Eyo group. After consultations, the Akinsilu announces the date but not without him communicating first with the deity after the family of the deceased must have offered gifts to him which would be distributed among the deity families.

The Eyo groups that participated in the procession are Bashua, Erelu Kuti, Egbe, Eletu Iwashe, Eletu Ijebu, Ologun Agbeje, Opeluwa, Aromire, Obanikoro, Oshodi- Bukku, Bajulu, Onitana, Oloto, Akogun Olofin among others.

Speaking at the event, the Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola said that the festival was designed differently to accommodate a larger audience without diluting the core values of the play.

According to him: “We have chosen again to use the Tafawa Balewa Square which was befittingly the spot where our nation gained independence and where our national colours were hoisted for the first time 51 years ago. My administration is mindful of the economic effects and benefits of festivals and tourist destinations in our State and this edition of the Eyo has not been an exemption as it has stimulated economic and other entrepreneurship opportunities for our people”.

He recalled that the late Chief Yesufu Oniru in whose honour the Eyo was being staged, was a leader who through the instruments of law, sought to ensure that his people were not deprived of their inheritance.

Fashola continued: “The late Chief who was also the father of the present Oniru of Iruland, Oba Idowu Abiodun won many legal battles against the acquisition of his ancestral property by the then emerging colonial authorities. Whilst the Eyo festival provides an occasion for us to celebrate, it is also important for us to be introspective. We should remember this festival’s significance which is largely within the context of preparations and performance of formal acts by the Oba of Lagos and the elders of the craft.

Speaking to LEADERSHIP SUNDAY, a native of Lagos State, Mr. Akeem Olorundare said that the Eyo was a unique festival that differentiated the Yoruba’s among other ethnic groups in the country. He called on the government at all levels to continually support the fiesta saying that the late Chief Yesufu Oniru was one man that exhibited good leadership qualities during his reign.

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Variations on a carnival theme:

One Nigeria... Oyo State’s float at the jubilee carnival.
 Photo: AKINTAYO ABODURIN

While the floats, designs, costumes and performances of some states that participated at this year’s Abuja Carnival, held from November 27 to 30, reflected the ‘Celebrate Nigeria’ theme, others completely missed the mark.

States including Akwa Ibom, Nasarawa, Oyo, and Anambra were outstanding in their interpretation of the theme during the street parade which opened the carnival. Akwa Ibom, host of the last National Festival of National Unity, not only came with a large contingent, the beautiful, periodic costumes of the contingent wowed many. Its float comprised an oil rig, the eagle and horse to reflect its status as an oil producing state in Nigeria.

Photo by Chuks Ezeilo    

Nasarawa, which had the largest contingent, had a spectacular and realistic roaring lion for its float. As usual, its contingents were attired in colourful costumes. Oyo chose to highlight unity with the imposing figures of a Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo man holding the Nigerian flag. The agricultural resources of the country were also reflected in its float.

Anambra had a figure of late statesman, Nnamdi Azikiwe, on its float, painted in the national colours, though its costumes and dances were not exactly spectacular. Rivers appeared to make Abuja a dress rehearsal for its own carnival holding later this month, with another large contingent, cheerful costumes, and dances. The jeans and t-shirt wearing awigiri dancers of Bayelsa drew squeals of excited laughter from the crowd, with their gyrating hips, though their float was a fish of indeterminable specie. In all, it was an enjoyable opening featuring different interesting presentations.

Durbar-less carnival

Photo by Chuks Ezeilo  

The fact that the durbar, one of the regular features of the carnival since its inception six years ago, did not hold this year surprised many. Nigerians and foreigners who had thronged the Royal Polo Ground, expecting to see the grand performance, were disappointed to see Polo being played instead. Though Polo was part of the carnival events last year, no one expected it to be the only equestrian feature this year.

That many of the foreigners were not interested in the Polo on offer became evident as they left the venue no sooner than they arrived.

“We came to see the durbar, and not Polo; we are disappointed, though we know there must be a reason for it,” said a foreign couple as they walked back to their car.

There was indeed a reason for it. Artistic director of the carnival, Rasaki Ojo-Bakare, disclosed that the carnival management committee was not to blame. He said the committee prepared adequately for the durbar, but that states from the north east, regular participants in the durbar, stayed away. Only Taraba and Yobe States featured, but they didn’t bring their horses.

He further explained that the late arrival of some governors of the states who went on pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia and returned a day to the start of the fiesta affected their states.

Finance, however, was the major obstacle. Ojo-Bakare said the management committee couldn’t afford the N55 million bill sent by an Emirate to bring its horses and riders.

“The Durbar is an equestrian performance, Polo is a game, so we decided to collaborate with the Nigerian Army to have Polo,” explained the artistic director.

Wooing the private sector

Photo by Chuks Ezeilo  

Government’s intention to free itself from the burden of hosting the carnival was loudly trumpeted at the just concluded fiesta. In fact, it became the official line. The president, Goodluck Jonathan; minister of tourism, culture and national orientation, Sadiq Mohammed; father of Abuja Carnival, Salihu Alfa Belgore, and carnival director, Rasaki Ojo-Bakare, all canvassed for private sector participation.

“This is one single product that would bring a lot of benefits to companies if they key into it through sponsorship at both local and international levels,” Jonathan reiterated during the opening ceremony. He, however, assured that government will play its part by ensuring that an enabling environment for tourism to flourish in the country is created.

Foreign participation

Photo by Chuks Ezeilo  

Prior to the commencement of the carnival, organisers had disclosed that seven countries, including Trinidad and Tobago, India, Ghana, and Egypt would participate. Interestingly, only two, Egypt and India, or three, if you include Ijo Vudu Dance International, a Nigerian company based in Canada, featured at the jubilee carnival.

The trio participated in the street carnival, opening ceremony, and command performance held at Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotel, on Monday, November 29. Apart from the artists that featured, a number of their nationals also saw their performances.

What this translates to is that organisers have to step up their efforts to attract foreign participants. Nigeria has bilateral agreements with a number of foreign countries in the area of culture and tourism; it wouldn’t be a bad idea to explore such links further if organisers are really serious about involving other countries in the fiesta.