Eyo Festival
The Adamu Orisha Play, also known as the Eyo Festival, is a Yoruba festival held in Lagos, Nigeria. It is now presented by the people of Lagos as a tourist attraction, and it is customarily performed on Lagos Island due to its history.
The “senior" eyo group, the Adimu (identifiable by a black, broad-brimmed (hat), goes public with a staff a full week before the event (usually a Sunday), according to travel writer and culture reporter Pelu Awofeso in his book Nigerian Festivals. When this occurs, it indicates that the event will be held the following Saturday. From Monday through Thursday, the four other Eyo groups: Laba (Red), Oniko (Yellow), Ologede (Green), and Agere (Purple) take turns in that order.
The following items are not permitted during the Eyo Festival:
- Motorcycle taxis from Okada
- Bicycles
- Sandals
- Suku - a prominent Yoruba hairstyle in which the hair converges in the middle, then shoots upward before tipping downward.
- Female with a head tie, headgear, or any other type of head covering Male with any type of cap
- The Eyo outfit can be worn overnight or to cross a river or lagoon.
People who utilize any of the prohibited things are known to be beaten with their staffs by the masquerades.
Location: Lagos Island
