top of page

From slavery to celebration: Lagos Fanti carnival keeps returnees' legacy alive

Lagos came alive as vibrant crowds celebrated the centuries-old Fanti Carnival with colorful costumes, music, and cultural pride. The lively festival showcased diversity and tradition, uniting people of all ages in a joyful street celebration.

Kazeem Sanni/Reuters

7 April 2026 at 06:24:25

People participate in the Lagos Fanti Carnival parade, which reflects Afro Brazilian culture and traditions linked to the history of formerly enslaved Africans, in Lagos, Nigeria, April 6, 2026.

Sodiq Adelakun/Reuters

Revellers took to the streets of Lagos on Saturday (April 5) for the city's vibrant Fanti carnival, a cultural tradition dating back more than two centuries.


The carnival featured elaborate costumes including dragon performers, Egyptian-themed outfits, and animal costumes depicting bulls, cows and ostriches. Disabled participants also joined the festivities in decorated wheelchairs.


Visitor David Florence praised the event's diversity.


"Amazing, a lot of colour, a lot of different costumes and a lot of culture so it's really nice."


One of the festival facilitator Nicholas Adesile explained the carnival's historical roots in the Olowo Gbowo community.


"This has been part of us which we inherited from our Brazilian visitors at that time and it has been in existence since that time till now and in Lagos island it has also been in all communities where the Brazilian deportees or returnees were settled."


The celebration brought together participants of all ages dancing through the streets, with student Daniella Adesile describing the experience as "really nice."


Nigerian musician 9ice performed on stage as crowds sang along, adding to the festive atmosphere.

-Kazeem Sanni/Reuters

LIFESTYLE STORIES

Add a Title

Start Now

Add a Title

Start Now

Add a Title

Start Now
PERSONAL: Displaced Lebanese musician finds solace in tunes

PERSONAL: Displaced Lebanese musician finds solace in tunes

Start Now
Activities help displaced children in southern Lebanon cope with war trauma

Activities help displaced children in southern Lebanon cope with war trauma

Start Now
Arkipelago Analytics survey: Filipino youth oppose social media restrictions

Arkipelago Analytics survey: Filipino youth oppose social media restrictions

Start Now

LATEST STORIES

Add a Title

Start Now

Add a Title

Start Now

Add a Title

Start Now
Pope Leo says world needs message of peace and coexistence

Pope Leo says world needs message of peace and coexistence

Start Now
Trump says Iran war could end soon as US blockades Iranian ports

Trump says Iran war could end soon as US blockades Iranian ports

Start Now
Pope Leo, attacked again by Trump, flies to Cameroon on Africa tour

Pope Leo, attacked again by Trump, flies to Cameroon on Africa tour

Start Now

PARALUMAN NEWS

© 2025 Paraluman News Publication

bottom of page