17 Most Colourful Festivals in Africa

Introduction

Africa is filled with festivals, most of that are rooted in native traditions and celebrations. Right here’s a listing of a number of the finest African festivals on the planet!

1. Desert Pageant

The Desert Pageant is held within the Sahara desert and it’s one in all Africa’s most colourful festivals. The occasion takes place each January, with lots of of 1000’s of individuals gathering to get pleasure from some music, dance and meals.

The pageant has been operating since 2001 when it was first held on a seaside close to Marrakech in Morocco. These days yow will discover it in numerous places throughout Morocco – from Agadir Seashore (on Atlantic Coast) to Merzouga (close to Algeria border).

The temperatures throughout this time can attain over 50 levels Celsius so be sure you pack loads of sunscreen!

2. Carnaval de Olinda

Carnaval is a pageant that takes place earlier than lent. It originated in Europe, however might be celebrated in lots of nations all over the world. Carnaval is a celebration of freedom and enjoyable, and it’s a time to have a good time the top of winter and the approaching of spring.

The Carnaval de Olinda has been held since 1640 when it was first organized by African slaves who lived in Brazil at the moment. These slaves wished to honor their African roots so that they created this pageant the place everybody may gown up as another person or put on costumes made out of paper mache that are referred to as fantasias right here (fantasias).

3. Zanzibar Worldwide Movie Pageant

Zanzibar Worldwide Movie Pageant (ZIFF) is an annual movie pageant held in Zanzibar, Tanzania. It was based in 2010 by the Goethe-Institut and the German Embassy in Tanzania.

The ZIFF consists of two components: The Worldwide Movie Competitors and The Panorama Part which reveals movies from throughout Africa in addition to Europe and different components of the world.

4. Marrakech Folks Pageant

The Marrakech Folks Pageant is a pageant of conventional music, dance, and crafts. It’s held yearly in Marrakech, Morocco. The pageant was established in 2003 by the Worldwide Council for Conventional Music (ICTM).

The pageant showcases all types of conventional music from throughout Africa and past.

5. Pilgrimage Music And Cultural Pageant

The Pilgrimage Music And Cultural Pageant is held yearly on the primary weekend of August. It’s held on the grounds of the Shrine of Our Girl of Peace, a Marian shrine positioned in Nkongsamba, Cameroon. Folks from throughout Africa and even Europe come to attend this pageant which options musical performances and cultural occasions.

The primary attraction is a live performance organized by Nigerian artistes like Dele Sosimi, Seun Kuti and others who carry out at night time time with fireworks shows lighting up their efficiency space. Different highlights embody conventional dancing competitions in addition to exhibitions showcasing native paintings or handicrafts made by artists from completely different areas throughout Cameroon

6. Up the Creek Comedy and Arts Pageant

The Up the Creek Comedy and Arts Pageant is held yearly in June within the city of Bundaberg, Queensland. It first happened in 2013 and has grown to turn out to be one in all Australia’s hottest comedy festivals.

Over a weekend, this pageant brings collectively comedians, musicians, poets and artists from throughout Australia and abroad for a extremely entertaining celebration of all issues humorous. The pageant additionally helps a very good trigger: all proceeds go in direction of serving to fund analysis for most cancers therapy on the close by Bundaberg Hospital Basis (which was established by comic Tim Minchin).

7. Dakar Jazz Pageant

The Dakar Jazz Pageant is an annual music pageant in Dakar, Senegal. It’s held in January and was established in 1960. It is among the largest music festivals in West Africa, with an attendance of fifty,000 individuals per day.[1]

The pageant options performances by worldwide artists in addition to native musicians.[2] The primary venue for live shows is Le Parc de l’Independence (Independence Park), however different out of doors levels are additionally used all through town together with La Place de l’Obelisque (Obelisk Sq.).

8. The Cape City Minstrel Carnival

The Cape City Minstrel Carnival is an annual celebration of town’s historical past and tradition. It was first held in 1812 and has been held yearly since 1816, making it one of many oldest festivals in South Africa. The occasion takes place on the primary Saturday in August at Inexperienced Level Stadium, the place 1000’s collect to look at reside music performances by native artists whereas they get pleasure from some conventional meals akin to boerewors (South African sausage) and pap (maize porridge).

9. Hargeisa Worldwide E-book Truthful (HIBF)

Hargeisa Worldwide E-book Truthful (HIBF)

The Hargeisa Worldwide E-book Truthful is an annual ebook honest held in Hargeisa, Somaliland. It’s the largest ebook honest in East Africa and the Horn of Africa. Its fundamental goal is to advertise studying tradition amongst all individuals of Somaliland by bringing collectively writers, poets, artists and publishers from everywhere in the world to share their expertise with readers from completely different backgrounds who’re enthusiastic about studying extra about writing abilities or simply wish to get pleasure from good books at inexpensive costs.

10. Lesotho Nationwide Arts and Tradition Pageant (LENAFEST)

Lesotho Nationwide Arts and Tradition Pageant (LENAFEST) is an annual pageant held in Maseru, Lesotho. The pageant showcases the most effective of Lesotho’s performing arts, together with drama, music and dance. LENAFEST additionally serves as a platform for native artists to showcase their work to the world at massive.

The occasion is organized by Division of Cultural Affairs (DCA) underneath the Ministry of Youth, Sport & Tradition with help from UNICEF Lesotho workplace and different companions akin to Radio Free Africa (RFA), UNESCO Maseru Workplace and so on…

11. The Durban Worldwide Jazz Pageant (Durban Summertime)

The Durban Worldwide Jazz Pageant (Durban Summertime) is a four-day pageant of music, dance and tradition held yearly in January. It was began in 1999 as a part of the celebrations for the brand new millennium.

The pageant takes place at numerous venues throughout Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa together with Moses Mabhida Stadium and Kings Park Stadium in addition to smaller venues akin to Inkosi Albert Luthuli Worldwide Conference Centre (IALICC).

12. Ostrich Feather Carnival – Swakopmund, Namibia

The Ostrich Feather Carnival is held yearly in August in Swakopmund, Namibia. It’s a celebration of the ostrich business and an opportunity for locals to showcase their feathers.

The pageant features a parade that includes lots of of individuals dressed up as ostriches and different animals which have feathers. There are additionally trend reveals the place contributors strut down the catwalk with their elaborate costumes constructed from ostrich feathers.

Along with these occasions, there may be additionally an annual barbecue the place you’ll be able to pattern scrumptious ostrich meat!

13.Nairobi Literature Pageant (NLOFF) in Kenya / Nairobi Music & Arts Festivals 2020-2023 at KICC and different venues round Nairobi.

Nairobi Worldwide Theatre Pageant (NITF) in Kenya

The annual NITF is among the most sought-after theatre festivals in Africa, attracting 1000’s of individuals from throughout the continent and past. The three-day occasion options performances by a few of Kenya’s finest theatre corporations, in addition to worldwide stars akin to Peter Brook and his troupe La Troupe du Theatre de Bouffes du Nord. The pageant additionally hosts panel discussions with business consultants who focus on present points going through the world of performing arts together with censorship, gender equality onstage and offstage in addition to racism inside Kenyan society