The Eyo Festival, otherwise known as the Adamu Orisha Play, is a

Yoruba The Yoruba people (, , ) are a West African ethnic group that mainly inhabit parts of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. The areas of these countries primarily inhabited by Yoruba are often collectively referred to as Yorubaland. The Yoruba constitute ...

festival unique to

Lagos Lagos (Nigerian English: ; ) is the largest city in Nigeria and the List of cities in Africa by population, second most populous city in Africa, with a population of 15.4 million as of 2015 within the city proper. Lagos was the national ca ...

Nigeria Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...

. In modern times, it is presented by the people of

as a tourist event and due to its history, is traditionally performed on

Lagos Island Lagos Island (''Ìsàlẹ̀ Èkó'') is the principal and central local government area (LGA) in Lagos, it was the capital of Lagos State until 1957. It is part of the Lagos Division. As of the preliminary 2006 Nigerian census, the LGA had a p ...

Eyo

The word "Eyo" also refers to the costumed dancers, known as the '' masquerades ''that come out during the festival. The origins of this observance are found in the inner workings of the secret societies of Lagos. Back in the day, the Eyo festival was held to escort the soul of a departed

King or Chief and to usher in a new king. It is widely believed that the play is one of the manifestations of the customary

African African or Africans may refer to: * Anything from or pertaining to the continent of Africa: ** People who are native to Africa, descendants of natives of Africa, or individuals who trace their ancestry to indigenous inhabitants of Africa *** Ethn ...

revelry that serves as the forerunner of the modern

carnival Carnival is a Catholic Christian festive season that occurs before the liturgical season of Lent. The main events typically occur during February or early March, during the period historically known as Shrovetide (or Pre-Lent). Carnival typi ...

Brazil Brazil ( pt, Brasil; ), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: ), is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. At and with over 217 million people, Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country by area ...

. On Eyo Day, the main highway in the heart of the city (from the end of

Carter Bridge Carter Bridge built in 1901 is one of three bridges connecting Lagos Island to the mainland, the other are the Third Mainland and Eko bridges. At the time of its construction, this was the only bridge connection between the mainland and Lagos ...

Tinubu Square Tinubu Square (formerly Independence Square), is an open space landmark located in Broad Street, Lagos Island, Lagos State, Nigeria named after the Yoruba slave trader, merchant, and aristocrat Madam Efunroye Tinubu. It was formerly called ...

) is closed to traffic, allowing for procession from Idumota to the

Iga Idunganran Iga Idunganran is the Official Residence of the Oba of Lagos, situated on Lagos Island. It is also a tourist attraction. History Dating back to the 15th century, the Lagos Island was originally owned by the island's first inhabitant Chief Aro ...

palace. The white-clad Eyo masquerades represent the spirits of the dead, and are referred to in

as "agogoro Eyo" (literally: "tall Eyo"). Eyo Iga Jump

The first procession in Lagos was on the 20th of February, 1854, to commemorate the life of the Oba

Akintoye Akitoye (died September 2, 1853), sometimes wrongly referred to as Akintoye, reigned twice as Oba of Lagos; first, from 1841 to 1845, and a second time, from 1851 to 1853. His father was Oba Ologun Kutere and his siblings were Obas Osinlokun and ...

. Eyos (the masquerades) celebrate a Oba´s (king) life. Eyo Festival is a homage to his death. The ritual is also organized to commemorate the election of a new leader. Traditionally, it only occurs at these times. Nowadays, and because it is such a traditional festival, it can be celebrated for the death of a notable person, or to celebrate a special occasion such as visits by heads of state. Here, the participants all pay homage to the reigning Oba of Lagos. The festival takes place whenever occasion and tradition demand, though it is usually held as part of the final burial rites of a highly regarded chief in the king's court. Among the

Yorubas The Yoruba people (, , ) are a West African ethnic group that mainly inhabit parts of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. The areas of these countries primarily inhabited by Yoruba are often collectively referred to as Yorubaland. The Yoruba constitute ...

, the indigenous religions have largely lost the greater majority of their traditional followers to

Christianity Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. It is the world's largest and most widespread religion with roughly 2.38 billion followers representing one-third of the global pop ...

and

Islam Islam (; ar, ۘالِإسلَام, , ) is an Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic Monotheism#Islam, monotheistic religion centred primarily around the Quran, a religious text considered by Muslims to be the direct word of God in Islam, God (or ...

. Be that as it may, the old festivals are still almost universally observed as tourist attractions which generate a lot of revenue for government and small business around the

venue of the Eyo festival. It is during these occasions that their traditional monarchs and nobles exercise the most of their residual power.

Order of events

In his book ''Nigerian Festivals'', travel writer and culture reporter Pelu Awofeso notes: A full week before the festival (always a Sunday), the ‘senior’ eyo group, the Adimu (identified by a black, broad-rimmed hat), goes public with a staff. When this happens, it means the event will take place on the following Saturday. Each of the four other Eyo groups — Laba (Red), Oniko (yellow), Ologede (Green) and Agere (Purple) — take their turns in that order from Monday to Thursday.

History

Historically, Iperu is the source, cradle and originator of Eyo in Nigeria and the world. There are 5 different branches/types of Iga Eyo in Iperu ''Akesan'' Names of the families and Iga of Eyo each represents are: # Iga Pakerike which is symbolized by red cap of éyo # Iga Agbonmagbe, also symbolized by blue cap of éyo. # Iga éyo Odoru # Iga éyo Mogusen/Amororoo # Iga éyo Fibigbuwa The major source of éyo in Iperu is the Iga éyo Pakeriké and other 4 are the Iperu Royal houses.

History made us to understand that Eyó was brought to Lagos to entertain an in-law which has now become something more celebrated in Lagos today.

''Akesan aagbé wa! Remo asuwon ooo!''

Festival dates

2000

*2000, Commemorating

Justice Justice, in its broadest sense, is the principle that people receive that which they deserve, with the interpretation of what then constitutes "deserving" being impacted upon by numerous fields, with many differing viewpoints and perspective ...

G.B.A. Coker, a

high chief, the Olori Adimu and the Olori Eyo of the Adimu Eyo cultural masquerade .

2011

*November 26, commemorating Prince Yesufu Abiodun Oniru, a

nobleman.

2017

*May 20, commemorating the 50th anniversary of

state tagged Lagos@50 and also to commemorate the life and times of the late Oba of Ikate Kingdom Oba Yekini Adeniyi Elegushi Kunsela 11.

Prohibited items

Here is a list of prohibited items at the festival: *

Okada Okada (written: 岡田 literally "hill rice-paddy") is a Japanese surname. Notable people with the name include: * , Japanese painter * Doris Okada Matsui, American politician of the Democratic Party * , Japanese painter in the Edo period * , Japa ...

motorcycle taxis *

bicycle A bicycle, also called a pedal cycle, bike or cycle, is a human-powered or motor-powered assisted, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A is called a cyclist, or bicyclist. Bic ...

s *

sandal Sandals are an open type of footwear, consisting of a sole held to the wearer's foot by straps going over the instep and around the ankle. Sandals can also have a heel. While the distinction between sandals and other types of footwear can some ...

s * Suku - hairstyle that is popular among the Yorubas, one that has the hair converge at the middle, then shoot upward, before tipping downward. *

smoking Smoking is a practice in which a substance is burned and the resulting smoke is typically breathed in to be tasted and absorbed into the bloodstream. Most commonly, the substance used is the dried leaves of the tobacco plant, which have bee ...

* female with head tie or headgear or any covering of the head * male with cap of any kind * wearing of the Eyo costume overnight or to cross a river or lagoon. The masquerades are known to beat people who use any of the prohibited items at sight with their staffs.

Gallery

File:EyoPillars.jpg, Bridge pillars in Lagos showing Eyo figures File:EyoFigure.jpg, Eyo figure advertising upcoming festival File:Eyo Iga Etti with fire carrier.jpg, Members of the Eyo Iga Etti procession at the Eyo festival at Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos, including a man carrying a burning pot on his head. File:Eyo Iga Taiwo Olowo banner.jpg, The banner of the Eyo Iga Taiwo Olowo entering the TBS. File:Eyo Iga Opeluwa banner.jpg, The banner of the Eyo Iga Opeluwa entering the TBS. File:Eyo Awise banner.jpg, The banner of the Eyo Awise entering the TBS. File:Eyo Iga Etti.jpg, Masquerades in the Eyo Iga Etti procession. File:Eyo Olokun.jpg, Eyo Olokun masquerades at the TBS. Eyo Olokun are connected with

Olokun Olokun (Yoruba: Olókun) is an orisha spirit in Yoruba religion. Olokun is believed to be the parent of Aje, the orisha of great wealth and of the bottom of the ocean. Olokun is revered as the ruler of all bodies of water and for the authority ov ...

, the Yoruba deity of the sea. File:Young Eyo performers.jpg, Children in costume at the festival. File:Eyo Iga Sasi procession.jpg, Masquerades of the Eyo Iga Sasi entering the TBS in Lagos in procession. File:Fire carrier.jpg, A man carrying a burning pot on his head as part of a procession in a residential area of Lagos. Probably a member of Eyo Iga Etti. File:Eyo Iga Faji procession.jpg, Masquerades of the Eyo Iga Faji parading in the TBS. File:Eyo festival stilt performer.jpg, A performer on stilts as part of the Eyo Agere Molokun procession parading in the TBS. File:Branded food.jpg, A packed lunch brought by the royal family for the 2011 Eyo festival, commemorating Prince Yesufu Abiodun Oniru. File:Eko O Ni Baje bus.jpg, A bus with Eyo masquerades painted on the back, with the slogan "Eko o ni baje" (literally ''Lagos will not spoil'', a colloquialism for ''Lagos will prevail'').

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Eyo Festival Cultural festivals in Lagos Annual events in Lagos Lagos Island Yoruba festivals Parades in Lagos

Eyo