Trip to Nigeria: Yoruba country, Nupe Emirate, and Alantika Mountains

The impressive city of Lagos

Dugout canoe tour of the lacustrine neighbourhood of Makoko to observe how life in this part of the great Lagos is. After the visit, we will explore the Afro-Brazilian neighbourhood of Lagos Island and visit the National Museum, with interesting pieces of traditional Nigerian art.

Yoruba Country

Abeokuta
Ancient city famous for its classical-Yoruba style Royal Palace and the so many yoruba houses and ”Aguda” houses of Afro-Brazilian style. Visit to the market of amulets and the temple devoted to Osun Deity.

Oyo
We will visit several temples devoted to Esu and Shango deities and the Royal Palace ofHis Majesty the Alaafin of Oyo, who will present some Egungun dances (masks which represent the spirits of ancestors).

Oshogbo
we will visit the house where the Austrian artist Suzanne Wenger lived. She is an admirer of Yoruba classical art and at the same time, through her own art itself, she tries to revitalize it.

Ilorin
Last Yoruba city, but in this specific case, governed by a Fulani Emir. Here, we can feel the Islamic influence. We will tour the central market and visit the ancient Sudan-style mud Mosque.

Bida Emirate

Bida is the political and cultural capital of the “Nupe Country”. We will visit the artisan’s neighbourhoods to learn about the ancient technics of making glass beads, metal objects and vegetable mats. Also, we will greet His Majesty in the Royal Palace, dating from the XVIII. We might be able to see a traditional Nupe masquerade.

Tribal minorities

Gwari ethnic group
We will attend an audience with the King of the Gwari. He will organize a Boori ceremony, when women and men go into trance.

Koma ethnic group
The Atlantika Mountains is a fertile and rather remote region, where the last tribe whose women cover their genitals with acacia leaves live.

Mbororo ethnic group