20th Edition, April 2009 sights that make these events Strive to remain the most unique, not only as a means of authoritative information data cultural expression but as part of bank of the rich and diverse 's contribution to global Arts, cultural and tourism culture-tourism. potentials of Nigeria.

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EDITORIAL TEAM The 19th Edition of the NACD Newsletter provided a glimpse Editor-in-Chief of Abuja, the Centre of Unity Prince Chinedu Obi and the hub of tourism in Africa. In this 20th edition, we take you Editor on tour of yet another cultural Ben Oti adventure. This time, we give Script you a preview of Nigeria's Chidinma Iwuoha foremost cultural festivals; the Argungun International Fishing Photography and Cultural Festival, Eyo Godswill Ayemoha Masquerade Festival in , Boniface Ezenwa the Amazing Minna Sallah Graphics D u r b a r , a n d t h e O s u n Jude Eziuka Oshogbo Festival coming up soon. Marketing Team Caroline M. Ojeonu The essence is to bring to your Hauwa Sambo doorstep the inside stories, the Ekerebi Brenda glamour and unforgettable Nigeria is a country with a people's life: fertility, t h e y h a v e b e c o m e festivals are even more large expanse of land, economic prosperity, necessary for ethnic interesting because of the populated by about 120 health, clement weather, groups to showcase their diversity, depth and the million people and over bumper harvest etcetera. cultures; if for no other season each festival is 250 ethnic groups. Each All these were reasons for reason, to preserve their staged. The time frame ethnic group is endowed festivity. More recently, cultural identity from a v a i l s l o c a l a n d with a unique cultural these festivals have obliteration. To do this, international tourists the h e r i t a g e , d i f f e r e n t become means of forging each ethnic group stages opportunity to go on dressing, arts and crafts, unity among the people its festival at a particular excursions round the occupation and behaviour and engendering the spirit period of the year as country and capture live, but who exist as a single of oneness. However, if dictated by their taboos the rich and entertaining nation. Through these there is any period in and other peculiar festivals that take place at ethnic groups comes a which these festivals have reasons. Besides the different times and parts of plethora of festivals which become necessary, it is s o c i o - p o l i t i c a l a n d the country. Some of the are unique in themselves. the present, in light of the religious dimensions of festivals are: In the past, most festivals t r e n d t o w a r d s the festivals, they have in Nigeria were used to pay globalisation. Festivals b e c o m e v e r i t a b l e obeisance to deities for are even more interesting instruments of cultural almost every aspect of the because of the diversity, tourism. Nigerian FISHING FESTIVAL

The Argungu International Fishing Argungu Festival was not always a Religious rites prior to the time of Festival 2009 has since come and fishing festival. What a surprise Surame Gungu of Kebbi kingdom. In gone; a resounding success it was this will be for many to hear! other words, it began as an informal too. The NACD Project however family and communal affair. Since deems it fit to provide some The Argungu International Fishing that time, the festival has undergone information on the ethos of this all- and Cultural Festival is the several changes and modifications. Its important event of the art, culture culmination of a four-day cultural evolution at Argungu seems to go hand and tourism sector to our teeming event in the north-western Nigerian in hand with the socio-economic readership.This in other words; is state of Kebbi. It predates the development of the Kabawa (people taking a look at the historical 'conquests' of Kanta of Kebbi in the of Kebbi) generally. Since the 16th background of the festival as well as early 16th century. The festival century (Kanta's days), the festival as a brief of what actually took place. started initially in the form of we know it today has become more elaborate and stylish. At the same devoid of the usual Bori and Tsafi That year, the festival was time, it has since the jihad period exhibitions. Dignitaries from attended by a non-Argungu notable been getting progressively enriched neighbouring riverine areas dignitary in the person of Sarkin with the fielding of more events for featured regularly as guests even Musulmi; Sultan Hassan Dan the entertainment of the attending in those early days of the Mu'azu. In response to an earlier public. Sometime between the 16th festival's history. The 1934 invitation extended by the Emir of century and 1934 (particularly during edition was the turning point of Argungu; Muhammad Sama, the Kanta's days), the festival assumed a the festival, during which the newly appointed Sultan of Sokoto nationalistic character, achieved f i s h i n g c o m p e t i t i o n w a s paid a visit to Argungu as a special through the spectacular rallying introduced to compliment other guest. The fishing competition was powers of Kanta himself. From 1934, cultural events that constitute its included as part of the events to it assumed a non-religious tone, entertainment segment. entertain the Sultan, the host haven considered that only such as “Noodling” in the United States). expenditure at the festival according an uncommon display would be The fisherman who makes the to NTDC was N1.3 billion out of which befitting a visitor of his calibre. It biggest catch wins a prize of 7500 food and drinks alone accounted for marked the end of the centuries- dollars. In 2005, the winning fish half a billion naira, transportation old hostility between the Sokoto weighed 75kg, and needed four men f e t c h e d N 7 8 m i l l i o n w h i l e Caliphate and the Kebbi kingdom. to hoist it onto the scales. With over accommodation at Argungu, Sokoto Between 1934 and 1950, the 21 nations in attendance at this and Birnin Kebbi brought in N146 festival began to record a certain year's edition, the Argungu million. The report also indicates that degree of consistency in terms of International Fishing Festival is now at least about N206 million exchanged d a t e s a n d a t t e n d a n c e . assuming the status of a globally hands for shopping particularly for Thousands of fishermen line up preferred tourist destination. souvenirs, mementoes, decorations, like an ancient army, carrying According to figures released by the textile materials and crafts; while their traditional nets and gourds. Nigerian Tourism Development N50 million was realized from At the sound of a gun, they pound Corporation, a total of 262,386 packaged tours both by air and land. towards the narrow river and leap visitors witnessed this year's edition Speaking to journalists in Abuja on the into the water, having just one of the famed fishing festival, out of report, the Director-General of the hour to catch the biggest fish. In which about 400 are from abroad. Nigerian Tourism Development 2009, more than 30,000 fishermen The figures indicate that visitors Corporation, Otunba Olusegun participated. People from all over from Niger, Mali, Chad, USA, Runsewe commended the Kebbi State West Africa attended the main Germany and Britain top the list of government for utilizing to the event which is the fishing contest foreign tourists at the event which f u l l e s t , t h e p u b l i c / p r i v a t e in the waters of River Mata Fada, was held in Argungu, Kebbi State, partnership initiative for the success using nets and calabash gourds for North West of Nigeria from March of the festival. He urged other states catching and storing. Only 11th to 15th. True to their reputation to bring up products that can be traditional fishing tools are as the most travelled tourists in the promoted and marketed by the NTDC allowed and many prefer to catch world, a total of 40 Germans as part of its holistic approach to fish entirely by hand (a practice attended the show followed by developing Nigeria's tourism industry. also popular elsewhere and known Americans and the British. Total

Lagos residents, local and foreign visitors trooped Going down memory lane, the first performance of the out in their numbers to watch and enjoy one of the most prestigious, cultural masterpieces on display; Adamu-Orisha parade in took place on the Eyo Masquerade Festival, otherwise known as September 11th, 1852 and was staged in memory of late Adamu-Orisha masquerades. Eyo as it is popularly Chief Dosunmun Ashogbon while the last Eyo masquerade known is perhaps the most popular social parade in the city was on August 2nd, 2003, in memory of masquerade in Lagos. It was brought into Lagos in the late Oba 2, the who lived year 1750 by Ejilu and Malaki the two male cousins to between 1965 and 2003. The , by tradition, is Olori Olugbani, wife of Oba Ado and mother of Erelu staged only in memory of an illustrious deceased person, Kuti of Lagos. 'Agogoro Eyooo” (what a tall and the day of staging Adamu-Orisha display is therefore imposing Eyo),“Mo yo fun e, mo yo funra mi”(I significant to the great occasion and for the relatives and rejoice with you for seeing and I rejoice with friends of the deceased person to be honoured. According myself), is a statement that rings out aloud all over to findings, the origins of Adamu-Orisha showed that the Lagos during the festival period. Over 1000 Eyo genesis of Eyo masquerade public performance must be masquerades in their white regalia with different rooted in legend. It may be traced to two areas in the South- hats of various colours from the five groups, Adamu west zone of the country. While the people of Iperu, Ogun Orisa, Laba Ekun, Oniko, Ologede and Agere partook State claim that Eyo masquerade originated from their in this year's festival organized in fond memory of town, the people of Apa coastal area of Badagry also claim Nigeria's first Minister of Information, late Chief that it originated from Badagry where Eyo masquerade T.O.Sobowale Benson who died last year's February. display used to take place on market days in those early The 2009 edition of Eyo festival which was years. Eyo masquerade parade however was started on repackaged as a tourist attraction took place at the Lagos Island by traders from Badagry a long time ago. The famous (TBS) on Lagos Island venue of performance then was known as Oke-Ita which was on 25th of April, from 6am to 6pm, amidst tight later found to be the lagoon end of Glover Road, ; security to ensure safety of lives and property. Lagos. This was the site where successive kings of Lagos and their chiefs gathered to watch the Adamun-Orisha play. Further research into the Ikoyi to relocate to Lagos had contributed to the Saturday. Each of the origin of Adamun-Orisha Island, an invitation which p r o g r e s s a n d four other 'important' play in Lagos revealed that the maskers accepted. development of Lagos ones Laba (Red), Oniko about the middle of 19th Thereafter, they settled during his or her lifetime. ( y e l l o w ) , O l o g e d e century, the then Colonial on Lagos Island and Eyo masquerades speak a (Green), Agere (Purple) G o v e r n o r c o u l d n o t became part . of the ventriloqual tongue, in this order, take their tolerate the long absences people till date. Hence, suggesting that they are turns from Monday to of top officials of the Lagos the first performance of not human and that they Thursday. There are also colony administration who Adamun-Orisha on Lagos represent the spirits of revered special outings were fond of disappearing Island took place on departed persons. Eyo like that led by the Olori for days from Lagos Island February 20th, 1854 and symbolizes the arrival on Omoba (leader of the t o a t t e n d t h e E y o was staged in memory of earth of a spirit. In view Princes) currently Prince masquerade parade in late Oba of Lagos. of this belief, anyone Michael Omoyele Ajose, Ikoyi, a journey that lasted On that day on Lagos m e e t i n g a n E y o i s a Prince of the royal close to three days. The Island, the general public expected to greet him house of Oba Ologun- B r i t i s h G o v e r n o r saw what they had never with the words: 'Agogoro Kutere of Lagos (1749- complained that the seen before and witnessed Eyo'. The Eyo is expected 1775), who himself was a absence of concerned the performance with an to respond thus: Mo yo fun direct descendant of officials was serious exceedingly tumultuous e, mo yo funra mi. In the King Ado, the founder of enough to disrupt the t u r n o u t w h i c h h a s programme of events, the Lagos dynasty (1630- affairs of . remained a characteristic 'senior' Eyo group, the 1669). Prince Ajose hails Thus, he ordered that the of Eyo masquerade parade Adimu (identified by a from Igaa Suenu, to excursions to Ikoyi should t i l l t o d a y . E y o black broad-rimmed hat), which the ancestral be stopped. The Governor's masquerade parade lasts a goes public with a staff, home of the current directive prompted the whole day and is staged as one full week before the , e l d e r s , c h i e f s a n d the funeral obsequies of a festival (always on a Raji Fashola can be prominent indigenes of King or Chief, or in honour Saturday). This indicates traced. Eyo Festival is Lagos to invite the maskers and memory of a deceased that the event would take unique to Lagos area, of Adamun-Orisha from eminent Lagosian, who place on the following

and it is widely believed that Eyo is the forerunner of press conference on the activities and measures put in the modern day carnival in Brazil. On Eyo Day, the main place for the event, earlier held in Alausa, State House, highway in the heart of the city (from the end of Carter . Fashola who stressed that 2009 festival was Bridge to ) is closed to traffic, allowing designed to be a little different from past performances, for procession from Idumota to . Here, strongly warned that Eyo members, (estimated to be over participants all pay homage to the Oba of Lagos. Eyo 1000), who did not abide by the rules of the performance festival takes place whenever occasion and tradition would be guests of the Police Commissioner. The Eyo demands, but is usually held as the final burial rite of a Festival day was a joyous day of gaiety and splendour highly regarded chief. Among the Yoruba, indigenous during which Lagos Island was filled with the exuberance of religions have largely given way to Christianity and young Eyo masquerades and the prayers and sobriety of Islam, but the old festivals are still observed. The older practitioners. Security at the car parks, in and around traditional leaders of the Yoruba are the Obas, who live the TBS and on the Island was heightened from Friday in palaces and govern along with a council of ministers. through Saturday. For effective coordination of traffic on The position of Oba is now mainly honorary, and their the masquerade parade day, Fashola arranged 310 buses of major roles are during the observance of festivals. the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) scheme to convey people from Yoruba festivals honour their pantheon of gods and 52 different locations within the state (free of charge) to mark the installation of a new Oba. However, ahead of and from Tafawa Balewa Square where the festival was this year's event, Oba of Lagos; HRH Rilwanu Akiolu I, held. The Adamu-Orisha Festival in the views of many appealed to all participants to be peaceful in their international spectators ranked higher in pageantry than conduct as unwholesome behaviour would not be the Rio Carnival. According to the Governor, current tolerated. The state government also announced the investment in the festival was therefore within the context suspension of commercial buses and commercial of lifting the event to an international standard with an eye motorcyclists from certain designated routes in and for its potential economic impact on the lives of the around the venue in other to ensure free movement. residents of Lagos State. It had been repackaged to serve as Some of the major routes where movement was an international tourism destination and retain some of the restricted include: , Carter tradition that gave it that international appeal. For the Bridge, , some parts of inner Marina, among duration of the festival, members of the public were others. Fashola, in company of the State's advised to desist from spreading umbrellas or putting on Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture; Mr. caps and shoes except those designed for traditional and Babatunde Balogun, Special Adviser on Transportation religious leaders, to avoid provoking Eyo members. Also to the Governor; Mr. Kayode Opeifa, Managing Director among measures taken by the organising committee to of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, ensure a hitch-free festival was the presence of medical (LAMATA); Dr. Dayo Mobereola and organizing chairman personnel on patrol at various locations while 800 Lagos of the festival, Mr Disu Holloway, stated this at a world State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA) officials were constantly on hand to complement safety measures.

Niger State recently organised a colourful durbar Nigeria. “Let us take tourism outside this country. We display in Minna to mark the Eid-el Kabir festivity. It is have one of the best tourist attractions in the world. a tradition in the northern part of Nigeria to mark Durbar is one festivity that has been part of our history Sallah festival with a grand durbar display. The in the North. We are ready to put it on the cultural map recently celebrated Eid-el Kabir was not an exception of the world by making an appearance very soon in an as the people of Minna rolled out the drums and horses international market,” he said. The Niger State to celebrate the festivity in grand style. The colourful Commissioner for tourism; Alhaji Umaru Nasko in his event which attracted tourists within and outside the opening address declared that the State government is State was staged on Monday, December 8. Niger State already talking with investors towards exporting durbar Governor Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu at the occasion said to other African countries. Durbar which is that the intention of the State in putting energy into predominantly an African event dating from the era of tourism was a deliberate attempt to tap from the vista Usman Danfodio will certainly meet the entertainment of financial opportunities it has to offer. Aliyu, who needs of those living thousands of miles away from was recently crowned Nigeria's best tourism Governor, Africa. “We are talking with investors through a Public- said the State would take durbar outside the shores of Private Partnership effort to sponsor our durbar for International exhibition. We are doing our best in Robes, and wielding weapons of different calibrations adding variety to our durbar to make it unique and brought to mind, the scene of a battle field. It was a acceptable globally,” he said. In an oblique move mixed grill of the old and the modern that even towards applying a post-modern touch to the usual Northerners who are accustomed to durbar will notice horse and camel display, an Elizabethan carriage was the tilt. According to Mr Smith; an English tourist, the introduced. The white carriage coated with beautiful idea of taking the event abroad is a welcome one as splashes of gold plated material, was pulled by four many of his kinsmen would be obliged to watch. “I know brown stallions. Gently swaying from left to right was that the durbar will make a wonderful spectacle in the Nigerian flag, mounted on two sides of the London if it is taken over there. It's a wonderful tourist carriage behind which were seated two ladies dressed attraction that will generate a lot of money outside in the fashion of medieval days, as they waved to the Africa as many whites will come out to catch a glimpse of admiration of the cheering crowd who had never seen it,” he said. He emphasized that organizing durbar in his a carriage physically before. One could hardly help country will not only save him the cost of transporting feeling teleported outside Minna to a distant English himself and his family to Nigeria for every Sallah countryside hundreds of years back in time. But just celebration, but will give him the opportunity of when the feeling was yet to be properly absorbed, partnering in the area of making special durbar the thumping of the hooves of horses ridden by men documentaries which he confided will also generate good clad in heavily turbaned head gears and large flowing money. As we are getting prepared for Fertility. One of Nigeria's most spirit of love, marriage and gold. 2009 Travel and Budget, we wish to famous tourist destinations is the Legend has it that Oso-igbo, the add Osun-Osogbo festival to your Osun-Oshogbo Sacred Grove found goddess of Osun River, was the Queen tourism itinerary for the Year. The at the fringes of the city of and real founder of Oshogbo. That people of Osun State are rich in Oshogbo in Osun State, southwest she recorded many achievements cultural heritage that has a strong Nigeria. The grove is a spiritual site which helped to establish the state. bearing on all the areas of their for the Yoruba. The Queen possessed magical lives as it is vastly expressed in Oshogbo is found on an altitudinal powers, which inspired her people their arts, literature, music and high land that measures over 500 and scared away their foes. It was other social activities. The state metres above sea level and also believed that she had healing endowed with many historical and empties in the Osun River. It is the powers to cure the sick and those tourist sites as well as cultural haven of the goddess of fertility. tormented by evil spirits by means of festivals, but most worthy of This shrine is the hub for all Yoruba the medicinal waters of the Osun note is the Osun Oshogbo Festival culture and is the last of such River. which holds in March of every year Sacred Groves in the entire Yoruba Presently, the Sacred Grove is the in honour of the goddess of land, to whom Osun is the water biggest and perchance the only surviving heritage of its kind in Yoruba land. It is host to Undoubtedly, bringing the Sacred Grove to the status of a an annual festival which thrives as world heritage site has brought Osun State to limelight, as express the bond between them, their rulers and the Osun-Oshogbo annual cultural festival is held at the end goddess. Sculptures and works of art in reverence of of August, lasting a whole 12 days. The festival celebrates the goddess and to other Yoruba deities abound in the the mystical links between the Goddess Osun, the people thicket surrounding the grove. Many shrines and of Oshogbo, and founding of the town. Traditional sanctuaries are littered throughout the site and by the sacrifices are offered, beseeching the goddess to bring river which meanders through it. It is believed that the peace and harmony. Osun River still has its healing powers. In the beginning, Dance and drama presentations form part of the the grove was confined by the traditional rulership of commemorations. Osun-Oshogbo Sacred Grove has its host community until it was acquired by the federal become the second site to be listed in Nigeria as a World government as a national heritage site. This is a Heritage Site. With the listing of this Grove as a tourist preserved area against hunting, fishing, tree felling or destination, it means there is something spectacular any other form of encroachment. Wildlife and about it. Please join us as we take a trip to Osun-Oshogbo endangered species of monkeys, birds, antelopes, this Year! snakes, which are rare in Nigeria, populate the grove. DOWNLOAD! All editions@ of our Newsletters

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SOCIAL DIARY

Mr. Hillary Oli of the NACD Project’s Accounts Department and wife, Grace(3rd and 4th from right) at the dedication of their new baby recently, in company of some NACD staff and their families..