The document discusses several festivals celebrated in Lagos, Nigeria. It describes the Agere, Eyo, Gelede/Efe, and Zangbeto masquerade festivals. The Eyo festival occurs during a new king's coronation or an important dignitary's death and involves strict rules. The Gelede/Efe festival highlights women's importance and occurs over two days, with Efe on the first and Gelede in the afternoon with masquerades. The nine-day Zangbeto festival in Badagry includes elders who ensure disputes are solved and laws followed.

1. INTRODUCTION Festivals are one of the most common heritage activities cherished and observed religiously. There are different types of festivals celebrated at different times and seasons and for different purposes. Each festival has rules and regulations that guide them. These rules and regulations are strictly adhered to by all. In some cultures, the presence of women are not required while others, though required the presence of women, believe they should be seen and not heard.

2. There are various festivals performed in Lagos which are fun but connotes some traditional implications. Each festival has requirements which are unique to them depending on the different geographical locations in the country. Some of the festivals performed in Lagos are: AGERE MASQUERADE FESTIVAL EYO FESTIVAL EFE/GELEDE MASQUERADE FESTIVAL ZANGBETO MASQUERADE FESTIVAL

3. AGERE MASQUERADE Originated from the western part of Lagos and Kwara states. The masquerades stand on stilts to give them their required height.

4. EYO FESTIVAL The Eyo festival is one of the most important festivals in the south-western part of the country. The Eyo is to Lagos as Samba is to Brazil. The Eyo was introduced into Lagos from Abeokuta. It is believed to be introduced from outside the African continent but the particular origin is yet to be ascertained.

5. Our people believe that each time the Eyo Festival holds, the barren will conceive and a variety of private problems get solved. It takes place only on Sundays. The Senior Eyo is identified by a black broad-rimmed hat and go to public with a staff. There are other groups of Eyo masquerades who are identified by the colour of their rimmed hat, like Laba (red), Oniko (yellow), Ologede (green), Olokun (white).

6. This is possibly the only Nigerian festival with stringent rules for both participants and onlookers. Importantly, headgears and footwear of any kind are not allowed and trousers are not allowed for females on the D-Day. The Eyo Masquerade Festival occurs during the coronation of a new king, the death of the king or an important dignitary.

7. The staff (Opanbata) they hold is placed on an individual for prayer or logging offenders. The senior Eyo (Eyo Adimu) comes out first in the procession then the others follow in their order of seniority. Before the Eyo comes out, sacrifices have to be carried out to appease the gods for prosperity, peace and love.

8. GELEDE / EFE FESTIVAL It is celebrated by certain Yoruba subgroups in western Nigeria and Republic of Benin. It highlights the importance of women and serves as an occasion to recognize their spiritual powers. It is generally performed over a two-day period.

9. EFE / GELEDE MASQUERADE Efe festival is performed on the first day in the market area - a setting of social, religious and economic activity primarily involving women. Gelede festival is performed in the afternoon following the Efe festival to embody an approach to the mothers that appeal to their positive attributes. The main performers for Gelede festival are masquerades.

10. ZANGBETO MASQUERADE The zangbeto masquerade is celebrated in Badagry every year and the duration is for nine days, during which the people make merry and do not work. The Zangbeto festival includes males and some females who have passed child-bearing age.

11. The Zangbeto serves as a cult and are said to have magical powers. They dress in raffia only. They serve as the traditional Police to Badagrians to solve disputes and ensure that the law takes its course.