The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) had given global status to the annual Sango Festival and added to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The enlistment will further strengthening the viability of the festival
Dr Wasiu Olatubosun, the state commiaisoner for Culture and Tourism disclosed this while briefing journalists after the state executive council meeting on Wednesday
Sango Festival is an annual event in Oyo town which marks the beginning
of the Yoruba Traditional New Year in August.
According to the Yoruba history, sàngó was the third Alaafin-(king) of old Oyo empire. He took over from his brother Ajaka who was regarded as weak. During his reign he was constantly fighting battles with other towns.
The crowning of the Alaafin is usually done at the shrine of àngó in Koso. However, as part of tradition, the Alaafin must not sight Sàngó Koso while on the throne. The only time they have access to each other is during the Alaafin’s coronation.
The ten-day festival is strongly connected to the social, religious, cultural and political institutions of the Oyo State. It is held in commemoration of Tella-Oko, the third alaafin (king) of the Oyo Empire.
He is believed to be the incarnation of the mythical Sango, the Yoruba divinity of thunder and lightning. When the festival commences on the Yoruba New Year’s Eve in August, Sango devotees and followers share and eat roasted new yam and palm oil.
People of all genders plait their hair and dress in red, wearing white and red beads around their necks and wrists.
The festival encompasses different rites and involves chanting, storytelling, drumming and dancing. Children acquire the related knowledge and skills by observing and imitating elders and attending Saturday worship at the Sango Temples. Sango magical crafts and rites, however, are transmitted through apprenticeships.
The festival unites the Oyo community, which views the practice as an expression of shared identity and social cohesion and as a means of reconnecting with their ancestor, Sango.
The festival whiich was rebranded as World Sangó Day by the Oyo State Government to signify its international spread do plays host to devotee and tourists from all over the world especially from countries like Cuba, Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean
