From Ritual to Global Spectacle – The Future of Egungun Festival—Idris Animasaun

The ongoing “Original” Egungun Festival has once again illuminated our streets with culture, color, and tradition. During Jalaruru’s visit to the palace, the procession's impressive turnout stretched from the palace all the way to Queen Elizabeth Road. One cannot help but imagine the cultural energy if an iconic son of the soil like Obesere led that procession—much like the Ijebus rally around their own during the legendary Ojude Oba festival.

This moment offers us a golden opportunity: to reimagine and repackage the Egungun Festival into a cultural product that doesn’t just preserve tradition but also invites the world in.

The recent World Egungun Festival led by Wasiu Ajani Adewale Olatubosun has already shown what’s possible when tradition meets innovation. By integrating elements of modern presentation, tourism marketing, and youth-focused engagement, we can transform Egungun from a largely spiritual rite into a vibrant, global cultural experience—while still protecting its sacred roots.

The typical 1–2 week Egungun rites could culminate in a grand finale—a festival-like celebration featuring diverse masquerades, music, food fairs, arts, and heritage showcases. Not only would this attract locals and tourists alike, but it would also instill deeper pride among younger generations.

This is more than a festival. It is an identity. And it’s time the world saw it.

Egungun to the world? It’s not a dream. It’s a plan.

– Idris Animasaun