African Culture

Dance refers to a styled and patterned bodily movement(s) which is usually performed to music. Dance should serve the purpose of communication or lively expression. Dance as a medium of art has been evergreen like the cedar. In various parts of the globe, dance means different things to folks. In recent decades, the inextinguishable dance-styles have swept across the continents like wildfire.

The African continent has enjoyed its own fair share of the dance-craze. Since it has become imperative for dance to go alongside with music, dance fairs have been organized in every nook and cranny around Africa.

In western Africa, Nigeria has proven to be the center of the dance revolution. Every crevice in Nigeria has in recent times come up with a new dance style. The intrusion of a defiant dance culture into Nigeria is not a product of coincidence. Nigeria as a geographical entity is surrounded by French-speaking West African neighbours on its borders. These French-speaking nations have previously enjoyed a very stable dance culture. In the late 1990s, a dance called mapouka was banned by governments of several west- African countries for its excessive sexual contents. It is pertinent to note that the mapouka dance originated from Cote d' Ivoire, another French-speaking West African country.

In the late 1990s cum early 2000s, the whirlwind visit of the makossa dance swept through the African continent like a volcano. The makossa dance step conquered virtually every African nation Nigeria inclusive. The makossa dance which originated from a certain French-speaking West African country was Nigeria's most imported commodity at that time (late 1990s cum early 2000s). The makossa dance engulfed every Nigerian child, youth and adult in various ways. It became so trendy that it eliminated the galala dance step which was the masses' choice whenever a party was thrown at them.

Prior to the advent of the makossa dance, the galala dance was the official dance in every Nigerian ghetto community. This dance style was highly promoted by prominent Nigerian acts who happen to be an offspring of the ghetto community. Some notable acts that stood tall to promote the galala cause include Daddy Showkey, Baba Fryo & African China.

When the makossa dance gained an awesome recognition and loud ovation in the country, the suo dance began to take its toll. The suo dance gradually substituted the makossa dance which paved way for its entrance into the Nigerian entertainment scenario. I thought that the suo dance will enjoy a lengthy reign as Nigeria's official ghetto dance style. The suo dance which was flaunted and promoted by artists like Danfo Drivers (mad melon and mountain black), Marvelous Benjy et al. entailed the lowering of the waist and the swinging movements of the hands like someone about to start a generator set.

Before I could say 'Jack', my thoughts were proven to be a mere oversight. The yahoozee era had dawned on every Nigerian city. The yahoozee dance style had some negative intonations; it was alleged to be a dance style founded by internet scammers and fraudsters popularly known in Nigerian suburbs as yahoo boys. The reign of the dance poured on every Nigerian like a torrential downpour of rainfall. From the kindergarten schools to the universities, the Nigerian people did the yahoozee dance with a sense of vigour. Nigerian singer, Olu Maintain adopted this dance style as a trade mark and re-packaged yahoozee into a brand. The dance which looks very imbecilic contains a lot of hand movements while the feet remain rather stationary.

Once again I thought the Nigerian populace would be out of ideas, but I was proven to be so wrong. The Atalanta breeze has slowly but surely crept into every Nigerian social function. Churches, amusement spots, work places, and dance shows have all contracted the Atalanta fever. From the rural to the urban areas, everyone has towed the Atalanta line. The movement of the hands and legs produces a crazy spectacle. In the last African cup of nations (AFCON 2010) hosted by Angola, Nigerian football maestros like Peter Osaze Odemwingie and Obafemi Akinwunmi Martins at various times did the Atalanta dance as a celebration of their goals. Nigerian musicians like Artquake, Terry G, Timaya, TuFace Idibia and Ruggedman have also been proud exports of the Alanta culture.

As I write, many dance steps are cropping up in various parts of Nigeria. I would suggest to the Ministry of Culture and tourism to look into the dancing market and try to strategize ways to exploit this market. If the dancing industry is properly exploited, then Nigeria might begin to enjoy the influx of tourists into the country.

The Nigeria dance culture has indeed proven to be an intricate part of the Nigerian entertainment industry. It has come to stay and probably grow.

Nigeria is a federal constitutional republic in West Africa. The rich historic traditions and culture of the country made a mark as one of the popular tours of travelers from other countries. The extensive history of the Nigerian people continues to evolve in their festivals and cultural celebrations. Many people from all walks of life enjoyed the cultural hotspots matched with scenic beauty of Nigeria.

The cultural and festival tours in Nigeria offer a wide variety of cultural hotspots from luxury to budgeted trips. The two major hotspots are the cities of Abuja and Lagos. These are the two important places and major centers of sightseeing in Nigeria. Some of the popular festivals of the Festival and Cultural Tours of Nigeria are:

The Argungu Festival marks the end of the fishing period and the old opposition between the Kebbi Kingdom and the Sokoto Caliphate . It is held annually from March 12 to 15 in the northwestern state of Arugungu, Kebbi. The festival began in August 1934 when Sultan Dan Mu'azu visited the place.

The festival is one of the major cultural celebrations in Nigeria. A grand fishing festival was organized and joined by hundreds of local men armed with fishnets to harvest fish. There are also canoes filled with drummers. People rattle large seed-filled gourds so as to take the fish towards shallow waters.

Argungu Fishing Festival offers many fish competitions as well as canoe racing, bare handed fishing, wild duck hunting, swimming and diving competitions. The final day of the festival showcases a competition of hunting the largest fish. Winners can take home as mush as $7,500. There were also singing, dancing and drinking after the event.

The Benin Festival is held at the end of every rainy season after harvesting. It is also called a harvest festival but it focuses mainly on the acquaintance of the men and women of the village. The matchmaking ceremony occurs once every four years of the wealthy families. Girls are adorned with heavy armlets and ornaments and coral beads on their hair. Boys take part in the tug-of-war game to demonstrate their strengths. Both girls and boys have paints on their bodies.

Durbar Festival

Durbar (military parade) Festival is a parade of horsemen dated back hundred of year ago. This is the time when the Emirate uses horses and invited regiments in the north during warfare. The festival is held in Katsina and Kano. It was organized in honor of Emir.

A parade showcases their horsemanship as a tribute to their loyalty to the Emirate and the preparedness for war. Now, it is being celebrated as an honor for the heads of State and the end of the two Muslim festivals such as Ide-el Kabir (sacrificing a ram instead of Prophet Ibrahim's son) and the Id-el Fitri (end of Ramadan month).

The celebration has many performances of drummers, singers, royal cavalry and wrestlers. Id-el-Kabir or Sallah Day begins with a prayer followed by a horse procession to the public square. Each district and village group takes their assigned place racing across at full gallop and swords sparkling up. Emir was the last to arrive wherein the people passes and stop to salute him raising their swords. There were lots of dancing, singing and drumming after the event with small bands performing shadi.

The Eyo Festival is held as the final burial rites for a chief by the Lagos people. It is the pioneer of the present day Brazil carnival. There is a procession from Idumota towards Iga Idunganran. People who take part on the festival will pay homage onto Oba of Lagos.

Igue Festival is a thanksgiving festival that takes place at Benim City. It is one of the oldest cultural festivals held every year for peace and prosperity.

Sharo or Shadi Festival

Shadi (flogging meeting) Festival is about age-old initiations originated among the Jaful Fulani culture. There are bare-chested unmarried men who enter the center of the ring escorted with beautiful girls trying to frighten his opponent. Cheers and drumming are present as the challenger comes out handling a whip (belt) to flog his opponent without showing pain.

Other festivals in Nigeria are the Shango Festival (celebrates the god of thunder), Yam Festival in the south, Ikwerre, Kalabari and the Okrika festivals by the Niger Delta tribe.

Nigerian festivals were the origin of the traditional religious and cultural heritage of Nigeria. The Festival and Cultural Tours offers great celebrations and fun filled experiences of singing and dancing as well as information on the past history of Nigeria's culture.