AfroTourism: Top Five (5) Contemporary Cultural Festivals in Africa

There are many contemporary festivals in Africa which are celebrated by different cultural groups. Each festival has its own unique style and take place at different times of the year.
In no particular order, below is a list of the five most popular contemporary festivals in Africa.

1. CHALE WOTE Street Art Festival in Ghana

Photo Credit: Nana Kofi Acquah

The CHALE WOTE Street Art Festival is an alternative platform that brings art, music, dance and performance out of the galleries and onto the streets of James Town, Accra. It is the collective effort of many young people- ranging from artists, musicians, filmmakers, writers to designers, students and activists.

The purpose of the festival is to promote the exhibition of alternative art in Ghana and to nurture an appreciation for different kinds of art among Ghanaians. CHALE WOTE means “Man, let’s go!” or is a reference to slippers worn on the feet. This festival is completely “Do-It-Yourself” with the talented energies of many people needed to make it happen. In the spirit of camaraderie, creativity and fun, CHALE WOTE is an accessible term used by Ghanaians regardless of language. 

2. Nyege Nyege in Uganda

Photo Credit:Tweny Moment

Held in Jinja, Uganda this three-day annual event is a celebration of the local art and music industry. It gives upcoming artists from the continent a chance to showcase their talents.  The event which is held along the river Nile in an open area surrounded by green tropical forest also has a private beach on the premises. Another goal is to connect African artists with other foreign artists not from the continent, like Caribbean jazz, American hip hop and European producers. 

During the event you can take a dip in the Nile and enjoy a night of camping under the stars. There are also some hotels available, for those who are not hardcore enough to camp at festivals in Africa! Nyege nyege in the Swahili dialect which is spoken in the East African region means an uncontrollable urge to dance or shake. Now with this kind of set up we hope we got you into the “nyege nyege” mood.

3. Calabar cultural carnival in Nigeria

Photo Credit: DW Photography

This is an annual, special and popular cultural festival that displays African culture and heritage by means of music, dressing, drama and other cultural creativities of talented persons. The carnival which is presumed to be the largest in the whole of Africa is highly costumed to reflect the cultural heritage of the people of Calabar.

However, the Calabar cultural carnival is not only for Calabar indigenes and the Efik tribe; it is for all who are lovers of the cultural carnival. Spectators who participate in this unique annual festival are always filled with enthusiasm.

The festival tagged as “Africa’s Biggest Street Party" attracts over two million spectators from various part of the globe who come to watch the great cultural display of this rare kind that is largely covered by so many media industries

4. The Fes Festival of World Sacred Music in Morocco

Photo Credit: World Music Central

The Festival, described by UNESCO in 2001 as a major cultural event on the world stage, remains crucial in our time of great challenges. Through the encounters and musical creations it engenders, underpinned by the constant aim to add value to the non-material heritage of humanity, the festival leads us powerfully towards the human values of liberty, tolerance, independence, openness and curiosity.

As usual over these nine days, the Fes medina becomes the beating heart and melting-pot of artistic expression, philosophical reflection and precious exchange that nourish a spiritual community built upon the knowledge that difference is of value.

5. Lake of Stars in Malawi

Photo Credit: Festicket

Every year, Malawi holds the Lake of Stars event for three days on the shores of Lake Malawi. The main purpose of this epic event is to promote tourism in Malawi while supporting and appreciating Malawian artists. International artists perform too and attract even more visitors. 

Apart from dance and song, other activities like fashion shows, tech hubs, graffiti art expos are also on show. The festival was founded by British Will Jameson after he fell in love with Malawi went back to the UK, then returned to Malawi and opened the official first Lake of Stars event, where the tourism minister then skydived into the beach, talk of a grand opening.  Make sure you sample some of the local dishes too.