| Nigeria is a federal constitutional republic in West | | | | is the time when the Emirate uses horses and |
| Africa. The rich historic traditions and culture of | | | | invited regiments in the north during warfare. The |
| the country made a mark as one of the popular | | | | festival is held in Katsina and Kano. It was |
| tours of travelers from other countries. The | | | | organized in honor of Emir. |
| extensive history of the Nigerian people continues | | | | A parade showcases their horsemanship as a |
| to evolve in their festivals and cultural celebrations. | | | | tribute to their loyalty to the Emirate and the |
| Many people from all walks of life enjoyed the | | | | preparedness for war. Now, it is being celebrated |
| cultural hotspots matched with scenic beauty of | | | | as an honor for the heads of State and the end |
| Nigeria. | | | | of the two Muslim festivals such as Ide-el Kabir |
| The cultural and festival tours in Nigeria offer a | | | | (sacrificing a ram instead of Prophet Ibrahim's son) |
| wide variety of cultural hotspots from luxury to | | | | and the Id-el Fitri (end of Ramadan month). |
| budgeted trips. The two major hotspots are the | | | | The celebration has many performances of |
| cities of Abuja and Lagos. These are the two | | | | drummers, singers, royal cavalry and wrestlers. |
| important places and major centers of sightseeing | | | | Id-el-Kabir or Sallah Day begins with a prayer |
| in Nigeria. Some of the popular festivals of the | | | | followed by a horse procession to the public |
| Festival and Cultural Tours of Nigeria are: | | | | square. Each district and village group takes their |
| Argungu Fishing Festival | | | | assigned place racing across at full gallop and |
| The Argungu Festival marks the end of the | | | | swords sparkling up. Emir was the last to arrive |
| fishing period and the old opposition between the | | | | wherein the people passes and stop to salute him |
| Kebbi Kingdom and the Sokoto Caliphate . It is | | | | raising their swords. There were lots of dancing, |
| held annually from March 12 to 15 in the | | | | singing and drumming after the event with small |
| northwestern state of Arugungu, Kebbi. The | | | | bands performing shadi. |
| festival began in August 1934 when Sultan Dan | | | | Eyo Festival |
| Mu'azu visited the place. | | | | The Eyo Festival is held as the final burial rites for |
| The festival is one of the major cultural | | | | a chief by the Lagos people. It is the pioneer of |
| celebrations in Nigeria. A grand fishing festival was | | | | the present day Brazil carnival. There is a |
| organized and joined by hundreds of local men | | | | procession from Idumota towards Iga Idunganran. |
| armed with fishnets to harvest fish. There are | | | | People who take part on the festival will pay |
| also canoes filled with drummers. People rattle | | | | homage onto Oba of Lagos. |
| large seed-filled gourds so as to take the fish | | | | Igue Festival |
| towards shallow waters. | | | | Igue Festival is a thanksgiving festival that takes |
| Argungu Fishing Festival offers many fish | | | | place at Benim City. It is one of the oldest cultural |
| competitions as well as canoe racing, bare handed | | | | festivals held every year for peace and |
| fishing, wild duck hunting, swimming and diving | | | | prosperity. |
| competitions. The final day of the festival | | | | Sharo or Shadi Festival |
| showcases a competition of hunting the largest | | | | Shadi (flogging meeting) Festival is about age-old |
| fish. Winners can take home as mush as $7,500. | | | | initiations originated among the Jaful Fulani culture. |
| There were also singing, dancing and drinking after | | | | There are bare-chested unmarried men who |
| the event. | | | | enter the center of the ring escorted with |
| Benin Festival | | | | beautiful girls trying to frighten his opponent. |
| The Benin Festival is held at the end of every | | | | Cheers and drumming are present as the |
| rainy season after harvesting. It is also called a | | | | challenger comes out handling a whip (belt) to flog |
| harvest festival but it focuses mainly on the | | | | his opponent without showing pain. |
| acquaintance of the men and women of the | | | | Other festivals in Nigeria are the Shango Festival |
| village. The matchmaking ceremony occurs once | | | | (celebrates the god of thunder), Yam Festival in |
| every four years of the wealthy families. Girls are | | | | the south, Ikwerre, Kalabari and the Okrika |
| adorned with heavy armlets and ornaments and | | | | festivals by the Niger Delta tribe. |
| coral beads on their hair. Boys take part in the | | | | Nigerian festivals were the origin of the traditional |
| tug-of-war game to demonstrate their strengths. | | | | religious and cultural heritage of Nigeria. The |
| Both girls and boys have paints on their bodies. | | | | Festival and Cultural Tours offers great |
| Durbar Festival | | | | celebrations and fun filled experiences of singing |
| Durbar (military parade) Festival is a parade of | | | | and dancing as well as information on the past |
| horsemen dated back hundred of year ago. This | | | | history of Nigeria's culture. |