The Sango Festival, one of Nigeria’s most vibrant cultural traditions, has been officially recognised by UNESCO as part of the world’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa, officially presented the UNESCO World Heritage Inscription Certificate for the Sango Festival to His Imperial Majesty, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, and the Oyo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun.

Sango Festival Secures UNESCO Heritage Status

This symbolic gesture not only affirmed UNESCO’s recognition but also highlighted the importance of institutional support and cultural leadership in preserving Nigeria’s intangible heritage for future generations.

This recognition places the centuries-old Yoruba festival, celebrated annually in Oyo, the ancient capital of the Oyo Empire, on the global cultural map alongside traditions like Argentina’s tango, Japan’s Kabuki theatre, and India’s yoga.

Why the Sango Festival Matters

The Sango Festival honours Sango, the third Alaafin of Oyo, revered in Yoruba history as a king, warrior, and later deified as the thunder and lightning god.

Each year, the festival brings together thousands of devotees, cultural enthusiasts, tourists, and diaspora communities to celebrate with music, dance, drumming, masquerades, rituals, and storytelling.

Beyond spectacle, the Sango Festival is a living archive of Yoruba history and identity.

It embodies values of resilience, community, spirituality, and creativity, bridging generations and connecting Yoruba people across continents.

UNESCO’s Criteria and Significance

UNESCO describes intangible cultural heritage as practices, expressions, knowledge, and skills that communities recognise as part of their cultural identity.

For the Sango Festival, this recognition:

Preserves heritage: Safeguards rituals, music, and oral traditions for future generations.

Boosts tourism: Enhances Nigeria’s cultural tourism appeal, opening opportunities for jobs and local economic growth.

Global visibility: Projects Yoruba culture on the world stage, fostering cultural pride and international awareness.

Cultural diplomacy: Positions Nigeria as a key player in protecting and promoting African heritage globally.

Voices From the People

For many Nigerians, this recognition is both validation and responsibility.

“The world is finally acknowledging what we have always known, that our heritage is priceless,” says a cultural historian in Oyo.

Young Nigerians see it as an opportunity: “This could inspire us to learn, document, and innovate around our culture instead of letting it fade,” shares a student from Lagos.

The recognition of the Sango Festival is more than a symbolic win, it is a call to action for Nigeria to invest in cultural preservation, education, and infrastructure.

It also underscores the global importance of African traditions in shaping humanity’s collective heritage.

As the drums of Oyo thunder louder on the world stage, the Sango Festival now stands as both a local celebration and a global treasure.

Sango Festival Secures UNESCO Heritage Status