World Sango festival: a celebration of ritual and culture

The 2016 edition of the annual World Sango Festival provided an opportunity for Sango devotees to observe their age-long ritual but beyond this, culture was exalted.

Since it was rebranded as World Sango Festival in 2013, the festival has grown beyond an ordinary Oyo ritual as its tentacle as spread to other countries especially south America and the Caribbean. The 10-day programme attracts visitors, devotees and tourists from more than 42 countries all over the world as this has propelled the Yoruba culture to a global state. The 2016 edition of the UNESCO-recognised festival began on Thursday, August 18 and from then till Friday, August, 25, different rites were performed while the Sango of each Yoruba state and towns were exhibited. These formed the build-up to the grand finale of the festival which took place at the Alaafin’s palace on Saturday, August 27.

The legend of Sango recognizes the Alaafin of Oyo as a descendant of the former powerful king while the Sango Koso is considered the spiritual reincarnation of Sango. The two – Sango Koso and the Alaafin – are therefore not expected to see during the festival as it is a taboo. 

Two programmes went on simultaneously during the celebration on Saturday as while Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III was hosting a display of cultural Yoruba heritage at his palace, Sango Koso performed his rite in Koso to a large crowd of devotees. Draped in red with the traditional woven hairstyle, Sango Koso performed his rite to a crowd dressed in similar red attires. Significantly, they referred to him as Kabiyesi or king and prayed while he also gave his blessing. The atmosphere was charged and different from the occasion at the place which was more of an avenue to promote the relaxed and more cultural display of culture and tradition. 

Music and dance was an integral aspect of the festival as different groups from neighbouring communities and towns showed their dazzling moves. Oral rendition of praise poems was also performed to accompany the performances of the smaller Sango personnel. Legit.ng spoke with some of the visitors at the festival who expressed their interest in the revival of culture and described the festival as an opportunity to show the world the beauty of the Yoruba culture. Dr Paula Gomes who is the world ambassador to the Alaafin of Oyo described the festival as a great opportunity to revive and expose the beauty and uniqueness of the Yoruba religion. The researcher who is from Portugal lamented that Yoruba people do not appreciate the beauty of their culture and ashamed to identify with it while India and China where proud of their own and even promote it. 

For some it was an opportunity to reconnect with their lost root and an experience for visitors to witness first-hand the mystique but fascinating culture of Yoruba people.