20/12/2025
THE EYO FESTIVAL OF LAGOS 💃
The Eyo Festival does not hold yearly, as most other established festivals in Nigeria do.
That's because the festival is tied to death and dying.
That also explains why the last time Lagosians saw an Eyo Festival was May 2017 (8 years ago).
Whenever the Eyo Festival holds, it means that a dead Lagosian is being honoured for his good works while he was alive.
On other occasions, it could be that an important occasion is being commemorated.
Like on the eve of FESTAC ’77.
Or a widely respected personality is visiting Lagos (like when the Queen Elizabeth II came came to Nigeria in 1956.
There have been times in the past when, for 21 years, the festival wasn’t performed.
Also, there have been years when the festival took place three (1903/4), four (1909), or five times (1906).
All preparations that lead up to the grand procession of the Eyo Festival are rooted in time-honoured tradition and no one dares to alter the sequence or disparage any.
Every detail is closely observed and strictly adhered to.
When the date for the next festival is decided, all the participating Iga (families)—sometimes numbering in excess of 80—get to work.
They kick into meetings mode, discussing everything and anything that must be decided before D-Day.
This includes the costume and family colours.
What markings are made on the Opambata.
To be accepted into any Eyo group or family, intending members go through some sort of tutoring and screening, learning the Aro (chants) entirely by rote.
Part of the tutoring includes practicing how to manoeuvre in the flowing white garment (Aropale), a skill that requires painstaking practice and devotion.
So if you can, make an effort to see the festival this time around. If you can't go to Isale-Eko, then go and watch the procession at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS).
Nobody knows when another one would come out way again.
Reference to: Pelu Awofeso and
Documentary supported by: Lekjohn Lkj travels & tour.
