Festival that existed before Christmas in Nigeria
Festivals in Nigeria has been an aged long tradition and norm practiced before the introduction of Christmas. December 25 was picked for Christmas by the Western Christian Church a long time ago and was later adopted by all and sundry. Christmas is celebrated among billions of people both Christians and non-Christians in memory of the birth of Jesus Christ, the son of God. For over 200 years, Christmas (December 25) has been a special day and unique one at that.
However, although Christmas celebration is an aged long tradition but its adoption in Nigeria can be traced to years back. Christmas was celebrated in Nigeria for the first time in December 25, 1842 at Badagry under the Agia tree. Nonetheless, before the adoption of Christmas in Nigeria there has been a lot of indigenous festivals that were and some are still been celebrated in the country. In the course of this article, we will be going through some of those indigenous festivals that were celebrated before the adoption of Christmas.
One of the festival that existed in the Igala Kingdom before Christmas is the Eroli Igala Festival. It is common in Igala Kingdom, also called Kingdom of Idah or Anẹ-Ìgàlá, a west African state located in the north-central part of Nigeria. Eroli Igala festival is geared towards showcasing the accommodative and unique nature of the Igala people. The Eroli Igala festival channels toward encouraging and fostering peaceful coexistence among Igala people.
And also the festival tries to checkmate unforeseen negative attributes that are tantamount to causing disunity or havoc to the people. Eroli festival, has its economic impacts as it encourages farmers to be more productive. And showcasing their various harvested products at the day of the festival. This festival is indeed a remarkable one in Igala kingdom and it’s also among the Festivals that existed before Christmas in Nigeria.
Among the other festivals that existed before Christmas includes the New Yam Festival. New Yam Festival is part of the aged long traditional Festivals that existed before Christmas. And can be traced to be as old as the Igbo culture itself. A Festival which is dominant in the Igbo Land and also popularly known as ‘Emume iri ji ohuru’ or ‘Iwa ji ohuru’. The New Yam festival is an annual event and usually take place within the space of three months, between August, September and October.
Furthermore, the aim of this Festival basically is to thank the gods of the land and the ancestors for a bountiful harvest (especially yam), gift of life, among others. Beginning with a public roasting of the yam by the high ranked traditional members. Followed by presenting and breaking of kola-nuts by the paramount ruler of the community. After that, the yam will be offered to the gods of the land and the ancestors before sharing the rest to the communities. Note; members of these respective communities are not expected to eat the New yam before the official occasion.
One of the indigenous festival that exist before the Christmas celebration in Nigeria is the Iwa Akwa Festival in Igbo land. This is an ancient traditional festival that is been celebrated in some part of Igbo land namely; Obowu, Ihitte/Uboma, some part of Ehime Mbano, and Ahiazu Mbaise local government area of Imo state among others. The Iwa Akwa festival epitomizes the transformation of a young boy into adulthood.
Iwa Akwa festival is a colorful festival with lots of potential, making lots of illustrious son of the soil who are residing both far and near to return home. Among the rules of the festival, the mother of the participant must be married properly in the community in accordance with traditions. And also, the father of the participant must also be a son of the soil and has gone through the initiation himself in is time. However, the Iwa Akwa festival is celebrated ones in every three years and is mainly for age bracket of about 21 to 26 years. At the end of a successful Iwa Akwa festival, the participant will take up civil responsibility within the family and community at large. Hence, the “boy” has officially become a “man”.
Ofala Festival is also one of the aged-long festival that existed before Christmas in Nigeria. The festival is common among some communities in the Southeastern part of the country. Ofala festival which is coined from two Igbo words namely; Ofo (Authority) and Ala (Land). Hence, literally meaning, celebrating the authority that governs the land. A festival which is headed by the paramount ruler (OBI or IGWE) as a rite of renewal of his kingship. The festival marks the beginning of a new year in the Igbo calendar. Ofala festival celebrates the supremacy and rights given to the paramount ruler of the community to govern and lead the people to the right path.
Kick-off of the festival is started with the sound of the royal gong and 21 den gunshot or what is called ‘Mkpo n’ala”. More so, Ofala festival just like Christmas, has the capacity to bring back both indigenes and visitors that resides far and near back home. However, the Ofala festival is always a colorful and glamourous event and people look forward to it. It is usually celebrated within two days and undoubtedly among the festivals that exist before Christmas.
The Eyo Festival, is an ancient festival that is common around south-western part of Nigeria. Eyo festival origin can be traced to the intrinsic functions of the secret societies of Lagos. The festival is among the traditional African celebrations that acts as the initiator of newly adopted carnival in some part of the world. Eyo festival also known as Adamu Orisha Play, was previously done to honour the soul of a dead King, chief or prominent person in the community. It is also a festival use to usher in a new one.
Furthermore, at the festival day, the “Eyo” also known as masquerades comes out to perform in a unique costume. And all the participants must have to pay respect to the current King before setting out to where the occasion demands. Major roads are blocked to allow procession of the Masquerades and the people. It is believed that no one is allowed to wear hats during the Eyo festival. However, just like Christmas, the festive also makes people (indigenes and non-indigenes) far and near to return home and celebrate. It’s also among the ancient festival that existed before Christmas in Nigeria.
The above listed festivals among others, are part of the various festivals that existed before Christmas in Nigeria. And they all showcase the culture of the people within the respective communities where they are practice. Although with the introduction of Christianity and Islamic religion, most of them now tend to lose its initial content.