Asa Festival

Asa Festival

Language(s)	Yoruba
Origin
Meaning	statue
Region of origin	Western Region, Nigeria

The Asa/Agere Festival in Ikorodu, Lagos State, is a vibrant cultural event celebrating the traditional stilt-walking performance unique to the region. Known locally as Agere, this festival is an integral part of Ikorodu's cultural heritage, promoting tourism and preserving traditional practices. The festival had faded from prominence but was revived in recent years to reestablish its significance.

Rebirth of the Asa festival

The rebirth of the Asa Festival is spearheaded by the Ikorodu Division Rebirth Foundation(IREP) and supported by community leaders, including the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotobi. The festival features various cultural displays, including the launch of "Asa Arokolo," a book detailing its historical significance. Asa is seen as more than entertainment. It serves as a bridge connecting the past and present, fostering unity among Ikorodu's six divisions and attracting participants from within and outside Nigeria.

Historical background

The Asa/Agere Festival has its origins in the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people, specifically within the traditions of Ikorodu. The festival is centered on the Asa masquerade, a unique cultural practice involving performers walking on tall stilts while showcasing dances and acrobatics. This tradition was historically used for communal entertainment, spiritual observances and as a symbol of the community's identity. The annual festival, which berthed in 2017 and was recognized by the Lagos State Government same year as one of its yearly cultural festivals, is being organized by the IREP – Ikorodu Division Rebirth Foundation led by the Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly and representative of the Ikorodu Constituency I, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade who is the group's Convener and lnitiator of cultural and tourism development.