The Eyo Festival came to town.

On Saturday, November 26, Lagosians celebrated the Eyo Festival, a 100-plus-year-old masquerade celebration that pays homage to the Oba (king) of Lagos, the traditional leader of the Yorubas (one of the main tribes in Nigeria). In addition, this year, the festival commemorated the life of Chief (prince) Yesufu Abiodun Oniru, who lived from 1864 to 1984 (apparently he was 120 years old at the time of his death ... riiiiiight).

During the festival, "Eyos" parade through the city, congregating in Tafawa Balewa Square on Lagos Island in the evening. Eyos are men in masquerade costumes that include a ghostly full-length, white robe with a scarf that covers the face completely. The whole get-up is topped with a colorful wide-brimmed hat. Each group of Eyos are identified by the unique color of their hats (it reminds me of the Mardi Gras krewes).

The week before the festival, wire-framed figures pop up all over the city dressed like "Eyos"
to promote the coming festival, which is always held on a Saturday.

The Eyos also carry long sticks. I don't know the symbolic significance of the sticks, but I do know the sticks must be lowered when an Eyo encounters a higher-ranking Eyo, and they'll use their sticks to beat you if you don't follow the rules of the festival (no shoes, no head coverings, no photographs after a certain time of day).

It is a tourist attraction in Lagos, but we opted to stay away since trouble can erupt among the Eyos and among trouble-makers taking advantage of the crowds. Besides, I had a ball to attend! That story coming soon.