Brazil-Cuba heritage on full display as Lagos Island comes alive during Fanti Carnival: Video
Lagos Island came alive in a vibrant pre-dawn display of color and culture as the historic Fanti Carnival swept through Nigeria's bustling commercial hub.
Rooted in 19th-century traditions brought by returnees from Brazil and Cuba, the Lagos Fanti Carnival showcases a remarkable blend of cultural heritage from two continents.
Participants and residents of Lagos Island shared their perspectives on the significance of the Fanti Carnival.
Ibraheem, a young parade participant, emphasised its importance: "This is a very important occasion for us. We come out every year to celebrate this heritage of ours. When you come to Lagos Island and ask of Kosoko, that will lead you to our heritage."
Saheed Arolu, a local resident, highlighted the event's role in welcoming a fresh start. "We are celebrating because this is a new beginning. We want to start afresh. We have done a lot of things in the past, so we are using this opportunity to unite ourselves and try to look forward to a better future," he said.
Speaking on the carnival's evolution, Arolu added, "The Fanti Carnival has been here since inception, while Woro only started 25 years ago... I would say Woro is synonymous with Fanti to some extent."
Kunle Alarape, reflecting on the cultural impact, noted, "The key aspect of the celebration is that everyone comes home, we deliberate, and there is progress in the community. We have amongst our kinsmen those who teach in the university, and we inform them about our young ones who intend to go for higher learning, receiving support from them."
