The Olokun Festival is the name of two annual cultural festivals in Nigeria celebrated by the Edo and the Yoruba. The one in late February (1st 'moon' after the 12th moon) that takes place in Usonigbe, the site of Olokun's original shrine, in Edo State, and another, more modern festival is held in Lagos State in November.
The latter festival, which has been held since 2002, is organized by the Olokun Festival Foundation and has become an important tourist and local attraction. It is led by Otunba Gani Adams, who also leads the Oodua People’s Congress.
Famous quotes containing the word festival:
“Don’t you know there are 200 temperance women in this county who control 200 votes. Why does a woman work for temperance? Because she’s tired of liftin’ that besotted mate of hers off the floor every Saturday night and puttin’ him on the sofa so he won’t catch cold. Tonight we’re for temperance. Help yourself to them cloves and chew them, chew them hard. We’re goin’ to that festival tonight smelling like a hot mince pie.”
—Laurence Stallings (1894–1968)