Igbo festivals before colonization
You can find more than five hundred ethnic groups in Nigeria, which have holidays and festivals for every day. Nevertheless, if you want to get familiar with one of the most colorful festivals in Nigeria, then you need to visit an Igbo Festival. Let's checkout some of the most popular Igbo festivals and holidays.
Igbo Festivals and Holidays
Igbo culture is filled with a lot of interesting holidays and festivals. It usually consists of colorful dances, competitions, processions and even masquerades. Igbo festivals can inspire you with various styles of folk music and especially their songs.
The culture of Igbo people during the colonization period was slightly changed, but the colony authorities allowed these festivals as it helped to maintain peace between people. Moreover, for Igbo people, the maintaining of their Igbo masquerade festivals was a necessity as it helped to increase the unity between Igbo.
READ ALSO: Igbo traditional wedding decoration ideas
Therefore, it is perhaps okay to say that Igbo festivals before colonization were almost the same as you see them today. Of course, they have become more modern than they were several hundred years ago. Nonetheless, the core elements of these holidays are the same. It's always connected with happiness, joy, and freedom.
Mmanwa Festival
It`s one of the most popular Igbo festivals and holidays that you can find in Nigeria. It's usually sponsored by the state. It's a traditional masquerade festival that can last for several weeks. This festival is used to honor the people who left this world and pray to the gods for a successful season.
At this masquerade festival, young men usually wear the masks of immortal spirits. Igbo actually believe that dead actually don not just die, they remain in the consistent immortal state. Unfortunately, the roots of this festival have been forgotten.
New Yam Festival
Its a so-called New Year Festival for Igbo people. This festival symbolizes the begining of the harvesting season. It also brings the beginning of the next working cycle. It usually accompanies with Igbo traditional music and dances.
This festival is also one of the most interesting tourist attractions for Igbo. A lot of people come to Igboland to take part in celebrations.
Igbo festivals and holidays are one of the most interesting tourist attractions in Nigeria. It's almost impossible to stay still and not dance to Igbo traditional music. That's why you should visit at least one of the above-mentioned festivals and have some fun.
READ ALSO: Tribal marks in Yorubaland: their names and meaning
Source: Legit.ng
