Thousands descended on Ibadan, Nigeria, on Saturday (May 2) for the grand finale of the 2026 World Egungun Festival, one of West Africa's most spectacular celebrations of Yoruba cultural heritage.

Masquerade performers exhibited stunts with fire and danced to pounding drums as festival-goers in vibrant outfits captured every moment.

Cultural groups presented elaborate dance routines while dignitaries, including international diplomats, watched from a VIP enclosure.

Now in its third year, the World Egungun Festival has grown into a major international event.

About 18,000 people attended the grand finale at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, with masquerades representing communities from across Oyo State, neighbouring Nigerian states, and even the Republic of Benin. Participants from roughly 10 countries took part.

Simon Field, British Deputy Head of Mission in Lagos described the relationship between British and Nigerian culture, highlighting the large diaspora of Nigerians in the UK.

The Egungun tradition is rooted in Yoruba ancestral worship.

Masquerades are believed to embody the spirits of the departed, connecting the living with their ancestors through elaborate costumes, drumming, and dance.

The Oyo State Government launched the festival in 2024 and is now pursuing UNESCO recognition for the tradition.

The festival also drew visitors from Brazil, where the Egungun tradition has deep roots among Afro-Brazilian communities tracing their ancestry to the Yorubaland region.

Beyond the masquerade performances, attendees were treated to jaw-dropping stunts including a man threading a chain through his nose and out of his mouth along with acrobatic dance displays and thunderous drumming.

Governor Seyi Makinde pledged continued investment in culture and tourism, while organisers announced plans to seek UNESCO intangible cultural heritage status for the Egungun tradition within the coming years.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

OYO, NIGERIA (MAY 2, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF MASQUERADE FIRE STUNT PERFORMANCE

2. VARIOUS OF MASQUERADE DANCING/DRUM

3. GUESTS FILMING MASQUERADE PERFORMANCE

4. MASQUERADE PERFORMANCE

5. VARIOUS OF CULTURAL GROUP DANCE PRESENTATION

6. DIGNITARIES WATCHING PERFORMANCE FROM VERY IMPORTANT PERSONALITY BOX

7. (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH DEPUTY HEAD OF MISSION IN LAGOS, SIMON FIELD, SAYING:

“The UK and Nigeria is huge. Nigerians make up possibly our largest, or at least our top five largest diaspora in the UK. And I know that there's so many links, and Nigerians in the UK bring so much spice and flavour to our culture that we are really proud. And I'm really glad that they are in the UK and I'm really happy that I'm able to kind of see the Yoruba festival myself.”

8. VARIOUS OF FESTIVAL GUESTS IN COLOURFUL OUTFITS

9. (SOUNDBITE) (English) MISS IBADAN 2026/2027, OLADAPO OMOWUNMI, SAYING:

“We have other religions, but I think this festival it will give us the significance of who are, it will help us grow our heritage no matter the civilization or modernization.”

10. VARIOUS OF BRAZILIAN TOURIST FILMING MASQUERADE PERFORMANCE

11. VARIOUS OF FESTIVAL IN PROGRESS

12. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) TOURIST, OMITUNMISE PAOLA, SAYING:

“I invite everyone to come to the Egungun Festival. It is truly very beautiful, and we should experience a festival of this magnitude at least once in our lifetime. It is one of the biggest in Nigeria. It is definitely worth attending.”

13. VARIOUS OF MAN PERFORMING PUTTING CHAIN INTO HIS NOSE AND TAKE IT OUT FROM HIS MOUTH

14. VARIOUS OF STUNT / DANCE PERFORMANCE

15. STUNT PERFORMANCE / DRUMMERS

16. ADVERTISEMENT BOARD WITH INSCRIPTION READING (English) “Seaman World Egungun Festival"