03:37The Yoruba people of Nigeria celebrated the Sango Oyo Festival at the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo State on Saturday, showcasing a vibrant display of cultural artistry in honour of Sango, the god of thunder and fire.
This annual celebration marks the beginning of the Yoruba Traditional New Year, a time of renewal and reverence for cultural heritage.
Footage from the event captures representatives of Sango dancing with fire and drums, while traditional dance performances and masquerades added to the festivities. Both locals and international visitors came together to enjoy the rich heritage on display.
"This Sango festival is a form of celebrating our culture and religion. Sango, when alive, was the first King in Yoruba land to be accorded a royal honour of greeting," a local priestess said.
"World Sango we now celebrate involves the celebration of various deities, too, including, Yemoja, Oya and Osun," she added.
The Sango Festival has its roots in traditions that date back over 1,000 years, tracing the legacy of Sango as a revered orisa and the founding father of the Oyo people.
This vibrant ten-day festival, characterised by its pomp and pageantry, gained recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage event in 2023, highlighting its significance and cultural importance.
'Celebrating our culture, religion'- Nigeria’s Yoruba people celebrate Sango Oyo Festival, welcoming traditional New Year
The Yoruba people of Nigeria celebrated the Sango Oyo Festival at the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo State on Saturday, showcasing a vibrant display of cultural artistry in honour of Sango, the god of thunder and fire.
This annual celebration marks the beginning of the Yoruba Traditional New Year, a time of renewal and reverence for cultural heritage.
Footage from the event captures representatives of Sango dancing with fire and drums, while traditional dance performances and masquerades added to the festivities. Both locals and international visitors came together to enjoy the rich heritage on display.
"This Sango festival is a form of celebrating our culture and religion. Sango, when alive, was the first King in Yoruba land to be accorded a royal honour of greeting," a local priestess said.
"World Sango we now celebrate involves the celebration of various deities, too, including, Yemoja, Oya and Osun," she added.
The Sango Festival has its roots in traditions that date back over 1,000 years, tracing the legacy of Sango as a revered orisa and the founding father of the Oyo people.
This vibrant ten-day festival, characterised by its pomp and pageantry, gained recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage event in 2023, highlighting its significance and cultural importance.
The Yoruba people of Nigeria celebrated the Sango Oyo Festival at the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo State on Saturday, showcasing a vibrant display of cultural artistry in honour of Sango, the god of thunder and fire.
This annual celebration marks the beginning of the Yoruba Traditional New Year, a time of renewal and reverence for cultural heritage.
Footage from the event captures representatives of Sango dancing with fire and drums, while traditional dance performances and masquerades added to the festivities. Both locals and international visitors came together to enjoy the rich heritage on display.
"This Sango festival is a form of celebrating our culture and religion. Sango, when alive, was the first King in Yoruba land to be accorded a royal honour of greeting," a local priestess said.
"World Sango we now celebrate involves the celebration of various deities, too, including, Yemoja, Oya and Osun," she added.
The Sango Festival has its roots in traditions that date back over 1,000 years, tracing the legacy of Sango as a revered orisa and the founding father of the Oyo people.
This vibrant ten-day festival, characterised by its pomp and pageantry, gained recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage event in 2023, highlighting its significance and cultural importance.