Traditional festivals are periodic celebrations marking significant events in the life of a community. They are used to transmit ideas, aspirations and the philosophy of people from one generation to another. In this regard, they are reenactment of historical, religious and traditional events, which serve as factors of contact and interaction, cohesion and mobilisation in these societies. The significance of this festivals in the last and event at present is that they serve as rallying points and fora for ramification of groups. Every ethnic group in Nigeria has some form of festivals. Some of the important ones are as follows:
1. Osun festival (Yoruba): This is the annual veneration festival organized by the Yoruba's in honour of Osun, the wife of San go, the god of thunder. It's physical manifestation is the Osun River, which flows from the hills north of Ilesha and through the Yoruba country into the Lagos lagoon. The water of the Osun River is believed to make barren women fertile. The Osun annual festival takes place at the sanctuary of the goddess in Oshogbo in the month of August.
2. Lebokun festival (Yakunn): This is a sacred festival celebrated annually in Ugep, northeast of Calabar. It is a yam festival in which the Yakunn people thank their gods of the land for blessing them with rich harvest. The festival which takes the form of the ancestral worship in shrines, the offering of sacrifices, the performance of traditional dances and the shooting of a sacred tree whose branches must be cut down with bullets and not by matchet or cutlasses, it is an important traditional festival among the people of Calabar.
3. Ofala festival (Igbo's): This is a festival that accompanies the successful conclusion of a military campaign by the Igbo's. In the past, it was intended to acknowledge very brave Igbo men who excelled at the battleground and who through such exploits had been able to guarantee the victory of their communities over their enemies. During this festival, the community publicly demonstrates their loyalty and solidarity for the Obi(head) and assures him of their support.
4.Sharo(flogging festival) (Fulani's): The Sharo is one of the significant festivals celebrated by the Fulani of the northern part of Nigeria. It is usually celebrated twice in a year that is the dry season and during the sallah festival. The Sharo provides a regular platform for preserving the Fulani character if hardness, toughness, self reliance and rectitude in the face of extreme difficulties and also to ensure that secrets no matter the pressure remains a secret. This test of Fulani will power ensures a high moral standard and fierce pride and independence. It is a celebration that is respected and honoured by the Fulani's.
5. Awon (mass wedding) (Yoruba's) : This is a popular Yoruba festival celebrated to acknowledge the presence of Awon goddess. One remarkable feature of the celebration is the mass marrying of marriageable girls and boys. The Awon goddess is also believed to bless people with children during the celebration of this festival. This festival is usually celebrated in the month of October.
6. Igue festival (Edo's): This is a festival that marks the end of the Edo year and ushers in a new one with renewed hope for peace and prosperity. The Igue is also a concomitant of several other festivals and religious rituals. Celebrated during the month of September, the Igue festival serves to unite the Edo people. An important feature of this festival is that it is usually held at night, the only time when the Oba's wife is seen by the people, and also the time during which the Oba wears full traditional regalia and dances with the royal Eben in the presence of his subjects. The Igue festival is associated with certain issues like the prohibition of ritual ceremonies, no one is expected to put in red cap except the members of the armed forces among other issues.
7. Uhola festival (Dakarkari Fakawa and Dukkawa): The Dakarkari of Zum local Government of sokoto state are said to have evolved this festival from the people they met and interacted with during their migrations. The festival involves the appeasement of the gods by pouring libations at their shrine. The gods are asked to provide rains for the farming Season and peace in the community.
8. Idu festival (Nembe): This is the feast of the creator who the people collectively respect. For the Nembe people therefore, the creator deserves to be respected and his blessings to the people acknowledged in the celebration of all the community members. In this regard, the Idu festival is a festival in which the whole community, it's gods, spirit, and ancestors and even the gods of the neighboring towns are involved.
9. The Eje Alekwu festival (Idoma's): This is the idoma ancestral veneration festival celebrated in the months of March and April. It is essentially a period when the Idoma's thank the ancestors for the blessings of previous years and prospects for the years in view. And essentially a time for relaxation and merriment, the Eje Alekwu festival is a veritable institution for the mobilization of the Idoma's. During this festival, the Alekwu masquerades come out in large numbers to the rhythm of local drums before retiring to their abode in the world beyond.
10. The Argungu fishing festival ( Hausa's): This festival dates back to the 18th century and has its origins in the traditional fishing called Su. The festival which attracts people from within and outside Nigeria takes place along the River Rima. During this festival the best Fisher man with the heaviest catch is rewarded with a prize. Fishing during the festival is undertaken manually in the age long traditional ways in order to display the indigenous aquaculture.
These culture tells us alot about the history of the people, their evolution over time and the nature and character of the societies they created and nurtured. As a multi cultural polity, it is these diversities of cultural heritage that we should anchor our development upon as a people.