The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has inscribed the Sango Festival of Oyo on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The inscription took place during the 18th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which was held in December 2023.
The recognition is a testament to the historical and cultural significance of the Sango Festival, which celebrates the life and legacy of Sango, the fourth Alaafin of Oyo and a powerful deity in Yoruba mythology according to Oyo state government.
Oyo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun, expressed his delight at the news, stating that the UNESCO inscription would further strengthen the viability of the festival and solidify Nigeria’s position as a leading cultural destination.
“This recognition is a beacon of expansion in the economy sector of the state, as well as unprecedented growth in hospitality business, with the astronomical influx of tourists in a space of time,” Olatubosun noted.
He further announced that the next Sango Festival, scheduled for August 2024, is expected to attract over 2,000 international tourists from across 167 countries.
Meanwhile, Dr. Paula Gomes, Cultural Ambassador to the Alaafin of Oyo, expressed her appreciation for UNESCO’s recognition and highlighted the importance of Sango to the Yoruba Kingdom and the global community.
