Lagos: Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to cultural preservation and community revitalisation with the revival of the Fanti Carnival. The state’s Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, announced this at a news conference in Lagos. Benson-Awoyinka highlighted that the carnival, scheduled for April 20, is a living expression of history rooted in the late 19th-century return of formerly enslaved Africans, many of Yoruba descent, from Brazil and other parts of the Americas. These returnees established the Brazilian quarters of Lagos Island, including Campos and Isale Eko, which resulted in a vibrant fusion of Afro-Brazilian culture, expressed through samba rhythms, elaborate costumes, Catholic influences, and the spirit of street performance.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Benson-Awoyinka noted that the carnival, which was once a major cultural event in Lagos, had seen a decline over the years due to urban modernisation and reduced general participation. However, it is now witnessing a resurgence through collaborative efforts aimed at reimagining its relevance for tourism development, cultural preservation, youth engagement, and community revitalisation.
The Consul General of Brazil in Lagos, Mr Manuel Lacerda Santos, emphasized the deep-rooted cultural, diplomatic, and economic bonds between Nigeria and Brazil that have lasted for centuries. He recalled how millions of Africans, primarily from ethnic groups such as Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa, were taken to Brazil during the transatlantic slave trade between the 16th and 19th centuries. These migrations forged strong cultural connections that persist today, with Brazil being home to the largest population of people of African descent outside Africa. Much of its Afro-Brazilian culture finds its roots in Nigerian heritage, encompassing Yoruba religion, music, dance, and cuisine. These cultural connections have evolved into strong diplomatic and economic relations, with both nations working together on various bilateral agreements in areas such as energy, agriculture, trade, and education.
Mr Oluremi Da-Costa, General-Secretary of the Brazilian Descendants Association, stated that the carnival continues to be celebrated in Brazil and kept alive in Lagos. He mentioned other cultural initiatives aimed at preserving and showcasing the historical ties between Brazil and Lagos, including the establishment of the Afro-Brazilian Cultural Centre, inaugurated in 2021.
The Permanent Secretary of the state’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Olanrewaju Bajulaiye, assured participants that the state’s agencies would be present at various points along the carnival route to ensure a successful event. Some of these agencies include the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), and Lagos State Safety Commission. The Lagos Fanti Carnival will be held at the Remembrance Arcade of the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) from 10.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m., with Kings College as the muster point where all the communities will take off. The parade will officially start from there, proceeding through the old Defence Road to TBS, then TBS Bus Terminal to Onikan Roundabout, heading toward Moloney Roundabout to Catholic Mission St., and back to Kings College.
