Introduction
The continent of Africa is full of rich history, culture, and natural beauty. But did you know that it’s also home to some amazing festivals? From music festivals in South Africa to art festivals in Morocco, here are five fun facts about African festivals that might surprise you:
There are more festivals in Africa than you can imagine.
You might be surprised to learn that there are thousands of festivals in Africa. Some festivals are small and last only a day or two, while others can go on for weeks. Some are held annually, while others only come around once every few years. And then there are those festivals that attract thousands of people from all over the world each year–these events often include music concerts, art exhibitions and competitions (think: Miss World), sporting events (think: FIFA World Cup), religious ceremonies (think: Hajj pilgrimage) or even royal weddings!
Festivals offer us an opportunity to experience new things by bringing together people with diverse backgrounds who share common interests through food tasting sessions at street stalls heaving with delicious treats like grilled meat skewers served with spicy peanut sauce; dancing until late into the night under twinkling lights strung across tree branches above your head; taking part in creative workshops where you get messy making something beautiful out of clay…the list goes on!
Festivals celebrate everything from food and dance to art and music.
Festivals in Africa celebrate everything from food and dance to art and music. They’re often tied to the harvest, or the seasons, or gods and goddesses. They can also be a celebration of birth–like the festival of Emancipation Day in Jamaica where children born on that day are celebrated as “born free.”
A few surprising facts about African festivals:
- Festivals are often held outdoors because most African cultures don’t have buildings large enough to hold everyone who wants to attend (or at least not enough buildings). This means that festivals happen year-round! You might think this would get hot but since most people live near bodies of water like lakes or rivers they can cool off by swimming during breaks between performances. (Plus there’s always shade.)
- The first thing you’ll notice when attending an African festival is how much food there is! It makes sense since most Africans grow their own crops so there will always be something delicious for everyone at these events–and usually plenty left over for later meals as well).
Festivals have a rich history in African culture.
Festivals have a rich history in African culture. They’re a way to celebrate and honor the past, remember cultural heritage, bring people together and express joy, happiness and gratitude.
Festivals take place throughout the year on different days depending on which area you live in. Some are celebrated by one tribe or ethnic group while other festivals may be celebrated by many different tribes or ethnic groups across Africa.
Some of these festivals are so big, they make Coachella look like a backyard BBQ.
Some of these festivals are so big, they make Coachella look like a backyard BBQ.
The biggest festivals in Africa attract hundreds of thousands of people over the course of a long weekend. Some even run over multiple weeks! The largest one takes place on an enormous stretch of land outside Cape Town called Oppikoppi. It’s been going since 1992 and draws more than 100 000 attendees each year (that’s about as many people who attended Coachella 2017). Other festivals include Splashy Fen in Zambia and Sun City Music Festival in South Africa–both are known for their eclectic lineups that include local artists alongside international headliners like Drake and Florence + The Machine.
Some festivals have a unique purpose and story behind them, but the message is always the same – come together and celebrate!
Festivals are a great way to get to know the local culture, people and history. They can also be an excellent opportunity to learn about local traditions and customs that you may not know much about otherwise.
For example, did you know that Africa has its own version of Mardi Gras? It’s called Shangaan New Year and it takes place every year in Durban, South Africa. It’s a huge event with lots of dancing and partying until dawn!
There are plenty of reasons to travel to Africa for one of its many festivals, so get packing!
Festivals are a great opportunity to experience Africa’s culture. They’re also a great way to connect with its people and enjoy the food, drink and music of the area.
In fact, many festivals have become so popular that they’ve become part of an annual calendar for locals–a chance to gather together as a community and celebrate their heritage in style!
Conclusion
There are so many amazing festivals in Africa, and they’re not just worth going to because they’re fun. They also give you an opportunity to learn more about the culture, history and people of each country. If you want to experience something different than Coachella or Burning Man, then check out these 5 amazing festivals below!