Once in a while, the streets of Lagos Island fill with hundreds of figures in flowing white. This is the Eyo festival, also called the Adamu Orisha Play, one of Lagos’s most striking cultural events. This guide explains what it is, what the masquerades wear and why it is held.
What is the Eyo festival?
The Eyo festival is a public masquerade procession in Lagos. According to a Legit.ng explainer, it developed from earlier masquerade traditions in the city and is performed openly so that everyone can watch, unlike secret ceremonies that only a few attend. The masquerades are known as Eyo.
What the masquerades wear
Each Eyo wears white: a loose gown covering the whole body, a wide hat and a see-through face covering. Many carry a long staff, known as an opambata, and sing and dance as they move through the streets. Other performers, called Adimu, wear beads and gloves.
Why it is held
The festival is held to mark important moments. It has been used to honour late kings and chiefs, to welcome a new oba, and to remember the dead and the ancestors. The Legit.ng explainer also says it is believed to cleanse the city. It is not held on a fixed yearly date. News reports in December 2025 said the festival returned after an eight-year break, honouring several prominent Lagosians.
Where it happens
Eyo is closely tied to Lagos Island, the historic heart of the city. Because routes and rules are set by the organisers each time, check the official announcements before you travel.
How to watch respectfully
- Follow the instructions of organisers and officials on the day.
- Keep a respectful distance from the masquerades and do not touch them.
- Wear comfortable clothes and carry water; the crowds are large.
- Ask permission before taking close-up photos.
More on Lagos and Yoruba culture
Explore the party side of Yoruba life in our owambe guide, plan around Detty December events, and learn what to wear in our guides to women’s and men’s attire.
Frequently asked questions
What does Eyo mean? It is the name given to the masquerades of the Lagos festival.
Is the Eyo festival held every year? No. It is held on special occasions, and there can be long gaps between editions.
Photo: a Lagos street scene during a cultural celebration (Unsplash contributor), illustrative; it is not a photograph of the Eyo festival. Details of the festival differ between sources; confirm dates and routes with organisers.
