Lagos is such a wonderful city, so I never get tired of reading or writing about it. Way back when I was still at Enugu, I used to be one to spend the whole day indoors. Lagos’ rich art and cultural scenes succeeded in breaking away that trend and richly spicing up my life. My friends would always drag me from one event to the other and in the end I got hooked. Today I cannot get enough of Lagos’ amazing arts and cultural festivals celebrated all year round. Hopefully after reading this, one of you will fall in love with Lagos all over again just like I did. Without further ado, here are my favorite arts and cultural activities to do in Lagos.
Nike Art Gallery
Whether you are an art connoisseur, an enthusiast of African culture or just an admirer, you owe your art loving senses a visit to this gallery. Artist Nike Davies Okundaye opened this enormous gallery full of contemporary and traditional Nigerian arts for art admirers and novices alike. Nike offers the opportunity to see Nigeria with fresh eyes through her arts and documentaries of Lagos’ culture. Her tour of Lagos is also an eye opener as visitors are given the opportunity to view spectacular traditional sculptures. Further more, f you are lucky enough to catch her at the gallery you will get christened with a new Yoruba name. Additionally, the gallery staff arrange tours to other Yoruba cities from the gallery.
National Arts Theatre
Most of us movie addicts often enjoy movies at the expense of plays. However, you never know true theatrical beauty until you have seen a play at the theatre. The National Arts Theatre is the primary centre for the performing arts in Nigeria. The monument is located in Iganmu, Surulere. It was formally opened by Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo on September 30, 1976, in preparation for the Festival of Arts and Culture 1977. Since then it has hosted a good number of international music concerts, dramas, film shows, symposia, exhibitions as well as conventions. Additionally, the building houses the National Gallery of Modern Art. The collections include both modern and earlier portraits of past Heads of State and other prominent Nigerians. Some of the other collections include sculptures similar to those from the early Nok culture and ceramic works.
Terra Kulture
Terra Kulture expresses the beauty of Lagos’s art scene in one building. Terra Kulture has become the premier recreational destination for those looking for an immersive and definitive Nigerian cultural experience. To this effect, Terra Kulture has various attractions for its visitors such as; the Terra Kulture Art Gallery, theatre at Terra Kulture, the Terra Food Court as well as the Terra Library & Bookstore. Terra Kulture has become synonymous with Nigerian theatre, having played host to a number of stage plays over the years. It hosts stage productions every Sunday throughout the year, both by established and developing names, and some in house productions. Further more, Terra Kulture continues to show its commitment to showcasing the best of Nigerian culture through the promotion and development of the performing arts.
Felabration
Felabration is an annual week-long music festival, established in 1998 by Yeni Anikulapo – Kuti, in honor of her iconic father – the afrobeat legend – Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Consequently, isitors celebrate the festival every year on the week of Fela’s birthday October 15th and it features performances from Nigerian artistes. This globally recognized event also features guest appearances from internationally acclaimed musician and personalities. This year’s celebration will kick off in October 10th through to the 16th at different venues including the New Afrika Shrine and Freedom Park.
Eyo festival
The Eyo festival is an age-long festival indigenous to the Yoruba people of Lagos Nigeria. In ancient times, people celebrated the festival to escort souls of the departed royal rulers of Lagos as well as to usher in a new king. However, Eyo festival has been observed mainly as a tourist event in recent time. The Eyo masquerades wear a white agbada to represent the spirits of the dead. The event starts off with the Adimu (Senior Eyo) making a public appearance on a Sunday. This signifies to the public that the festival will take place on the following Saturday. The state shuts down the main highway in the heart of the city (from the end of Carter Bridge to Tinubu Square), to allow procession from Idumota to the Iga Idunganran palace.
Visit the historical city of Badagry
Badagry, a coastal city in Lagos plays a huge role in Nigeria’s history, especially the contact between colonial leaders and indigenes. In addition to being the major slave outpost and market, Badagry has a Colorful non-colonial history history. Badagry houses several of Nigeria’s firsts: The first primary school, St Thomas Primary School which was established in 1845, as well as the Agia Tree which was the first place Christianity was preached by Rev. Birch Freeman of Methodist Church. Reverend Henry Townsend erected Nigeria’s first storey building in Badagry in 1845. The building was occupied by Samuel Ajayi Crowther, the first African C.M.S Bishop who translated the Holy Bible to Yoruba. It is impossible to talk about Lagos’ cultural history without mentioning Badagry. Click here to get more information on the history of Badagry.
Lagos Black Heritage Festival
The LBHF celebrates Africa’s creativity through traditional and contemporary Dance, Music, Painting as well as Photo Exposition. Also on display are dramas, design and fashion displays of both local and international origins. One of the highlights of the LBHF is the Lagos Carnival, which is one of the most prominent street carnivals in Africa. Participants display beautiful costumes and various forms of entertainment at the colorful event centered on Lagos Island. That is to say the carnival is a medium to portray Africa’s gracefulness through art, music and dance. You can get more information from the LBHF site.
Lagos Books and Arts Festival
LABAF is a testament of CORA’s commitment in developing the minds of the future leaders through art and education. The festival is one of the largest book fairs on the continent, thus it attracts a large followership from across the globe. CORA instigated the LABAF to open up a world of knowledge to Lagosians. The highlights of this event include a reading workshop, sales and exhibitions of arts and crafts. Furthermore, there is a cross cultural exchange between Nigerian writers and writers from elsewhere in the world. Visit the LABAF site to find out more about the fair.
Which of these activities impresses you most? Share your art and cultural experiences with us in our comment section below or on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Don’t forget to hashtag #thevillagepot.
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