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• In the predominantly Muslim north, the most important festival is Sallah, celebrated three months after the feast of Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan), particularly in the towns of Kano, Katsina, Maiduguri and Zaria. Every family is required to slaughter a ram and festivities last for several days, with horseback processions, musicians and dancers. Featured also in northern communities are Durbars, long lines of horsemen led by a band, the horses in quilted armour with the riders wearing quilted coats and wielding ceremonial swords.
• Watch out for Nigeria's wonderful selection of homemade crafts. The National Museum at Onikan on Lagos Island houses numerous exhibits of Nigeria’s ancient civilisations and has a craft centre which sells examples of Nigerian craft at fixed prices. In the Jankara Market on Lagos Island, you can bargain for locally dyed cotton and handwoven cloth, herbs and leather goods. In the southwest, meanwhile, Ibadan has a market that is reputedly one of the biggest in Nigeria. Many of the villages in Cross River State at the Mouth of the Niger are of interest for their handicrafts and traditions of magic, but may only be accessible by foot or canoe. Abaraka, Auchi, Sapele, Sapoba and Warri, however, can be reached by road. Ikot Ekepne is the centre for beautiful baskets and carvings, and at Oron there is a museum renowned for its exhibits of Ibibio and Efik carvings. In the north in Kano, Kurmi Market has many tourist souvenirs, including the richly embroidered Fulani horse blankets and decorations used at festivals. The famous dye pits (Kofar Mata) are still in use and apparently some of the oldest in Africa.
• Walk where the capital of the Yoruba Empire once was, and admire Oyo's old Portuguese-style houses. Worship the Yoruba goddess of fertility in Oshogbo, the founding centre of the internationally renowned school of Oshogbo art and home of the shrines and grove of Oshun. The famous Oshun Shrine is to be found here. The Oshun Festival takes place towards the end of August each year (at the end of the rainy season, during which thousands of childless women seek the help of the Yoruba goddess of fertility). Ile-Ife, the ancient name of the town of Ife, is another recess of Yoruba culture, and includes the Ife Museum, which has many fine bronze and terracotta sculptures dating back to the 13th century. Modern Benin City is a rapidly developing metropolis, but there are a few reminders of its long Yoruba history. The old city’s moat and wall survive in places and the National Museum houses an interesting collection of Benin royal art. The Oba’s Palace is worth visiting, although permission needs to be obtained in Lagos.
• Marvel at some of Nigeria's magnificent views: Akure is a good base from which to explore the seven Olumirin Waterfalls; Calabar is a pleasant town in a beautiful setting, high on a hill above the Calabar River; Abuja's outlook across the savannah; and the striking and fascinating mountain scenery enjoyed around Biu and towards the Cameroon border.
• Journey through the Cross River National Park. The best base from which to do so is the town of Ikom, on the road to Cameroon, which has curious carved monoliths set in circles, believed to be ancient monuments assembled in reverence to ancestors. The Cross River National Park piques a curiosity in nature, rather than humanity. In the Rainforest Conservation area, this is a place of majestic mountains and rolling hills, with wildlife including leopards, buffalos, chimpanzees, gorillas, baboons and elephants. Elsewhere, the Yankari National Park in the eastern half of the country is particularly good for birdwatching. Animals which can be viewed here include elephants, crocodiles and monkeys. The park has accommodation, restaurants and a swimming pool. The title of Nigeria’s most scenic national park might also go to the Gashaka Game Reserve near Yola, which provides opportunities to view birds and animals and is home to some highly endangered species.
• Circumnavigate the walled old town of Kano, formerly the largest of the ancient Hausa cities, and soak up its lingering medieval atmosphere. Despite this atmosphere, reinforced by the wall, Kano was founded at least 1,000 years ago, being of strategic importance on the trans-Saharan trade routes. The Emir’s Palace remains an outstanding example of Hausa architecture.
• Picnic without breaking a sweat in Jos, a favourite holiday centre on account of its location (1,200m/3,900ft above sea level) and consequent pleasantly cool climate. The nearby Assob Falls and many streams and dams make this an extremely pretty area.
See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.
• Watch out for Nigeria's wonderful selection of homemade crafts. The National Museum at Onikan on Lagos Island houses numerous exhibits of Nigeria’s ancient civilisations and has a craft centre which sells examples of Nigerian craft at fixed prices. In the Jankara Market on Lagos Island, you can bargain for locally dyed cotton and handwoven cloth, herbs and leather goods. In the southwest, meanwhile, Ibadan has a market that is reputedly one of the biggest in Nigeria. Many of the villages in Cross River State at the Mouth of the Niger are of interest for their handicrafts and traditions of magic, but may only be accessible by foot or canoe. Abaraka, Auchi, Sapele, Sapoba and Warri, however, can be reached by road. Ikot Ekepne is the centre for beautiful baskets and carvings, and at Oron there is a museum renowned for its exhibits of Ibibio and Efik carvings. In the north in Kano, Kurmi Market has many tourist souvenirs, including the richly embroidered Fulani horse blankets and decorations used at festivals. The famous dye pits (Kofar Mata) are still in use and apparently some of the oldest in Africa.
• Walk where the capital of the Yoruba Empire once was, and admire Oyo's old Portuguese-style houses. Worship the Yoruba goddess of fertility in Oshogbo, the founding centre of the internationally renowned school of Oshogbo art and home of the shrines and grove of Oshun. The famous Oshun Shrine is to be found here. The Oshun Festival takes place towards the end of August each year (at the end of the rainy season, during which thousands of childless women seek the help of the Yoruba goddess of fertility). Ile-Ife, the ancient name of the town of Ife, is another recess of Yoruba culture, and includes the Ife Museum, which has many fine bronze and terracotta sculptures dating back to the 13th century. Modern Benin City is a rapidly developing metropolis, but there are a few reminders of its long Yoruba history. The old city’s moat and wall survive in places and the National Museum houses an interesting collection of Benin royal art. The Oba’s Palace is worth visiting, although permission needs to be obtained in Lagos.
• Marvel at some of Nigeria's magnificent views: Akure is a good base from which to explore the seven Olumirin Waterfalls; Calabar is a pleasant town in a beautiful setting, high on a hill above the Calabar River; Abuja's outlook across the savannah; and the striking and fascinating mountain scenery enjoyed around Biu and towards the Cameroon border.
• Journey through the Cross River National Park. The best base from which to do so is the town of Ikom, on the road to Cameroon, which has curious carved monoliths set in circles, believed to be ancient monuments assembled in reverence to ancestors. The Cross River National Park piques a curiosity in nature, rather than humanity. In the Rainforest Conservation area, this is a place of majestic mountains and rolling hills, with wildlife including leopards, buffalos, chimpanzees, gorillas, baboons and elephants. Elsewhere, the Yankari National Park in the eastern half of the country is particularly good for birdwatching. Animals which can be viewed here include elephants, crocodiles and monkeys. The park has accommodation, restaurants and a swimming pool. The title of Nigeria’s most scenic national park might also go to the Gashaka Game Reserve near Yola, which provides opportunities to view birds and animals and is home to some highly endangered species.
• Circumnavigate the walled old town of Kano, formerly the largest of the ancient Hausa cities, and soak up its lingering medieval atmosphere. Despite this atmosphere, reinforced by the wall, Kano was founded at least 1,000 years ago, being of strategic importance on the trans-Saharan trade routes. The Emir’s Palace remains an outstanding example of Hausa architecture.
• Picnic without breaking a sweat in Jos, a favourite holiday centre on account of its location (1,200m/3,900ft above sea level) and consequent pleasantly cool climate. The nearby Assob Falls and many streams and dams make this an extremely pretty area.
See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.
