From January 15 to February 12, 1977, Lagos, Nigeria hosted the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture, also known as FESTAC ’77.
In addition to showcasing African art, literature, religion, and music to the world, FESTAC ’77 celebrated and honored African cultures and traditions. Leopold Sedar Senghor, Aime Cesaire, and others developed ideas about Pan-Africanism and Negritude in the 1940s, which is when FESTAC was founded.
At the time it was held, FESTAC ’77 was the biggest pan-African event. After the first Festac festival, which took place in Dakar, Senegal from April 1–24, 1966, was over, Nigeria was asked to host the second one. Due to the Nigerian civil war (1967–1970), which was supposed to take place in 1970, the festival was moved to 1977.
Around 17,000 people from 56 different countries participated in FESTAC ’77. The festival paved the way for Festac Town and the National Theatre to be built in Lagos. In order to accommodate the 17,000+ participants, the Nigerian government built Festac Town. Lagos was likely to experience pressure and a housing shortage during the festival, which is why Festac Town was constructed.
The festival kicked off at 9 a.M. On January 15th, 1977, m. The opening ceremony was held inside the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, where numerous participants held a parade to greet foreign dignitaries and the head of state of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo.
The royal ivory mask of Queen Idia from Benin serves as the logo for FESTAC ’77. A thousand pigeons were released to symbolize the liberation and unity of the Black nations, and a Sango priest entertained the crowd by lighting the festival bowl on fire.
The Tafawa Balewa sq\. Hosted a number of plays and musical performances in the late afternoon and evening. Numerous musicians, including the South African Miriam Makeba, Stevie Wonder, Louis Moholo, Sun Ra Arkestra, and many more, rocked musical performances and got the crowd up and dancing.
The National Theatre, the Nigerian National Museum, and a few other locations in and around Tafawa Balewa sq\. Hosted exhibitions of artwork from participating nations.
Each participating nation received a booth in the sq\. Where they could display their artwork, musical instruments, woven textiles, books, and other works of art. A couple of other noteworthy exhibitions that happened were Ekpo Eyo’s 2000 Years of Nigerian Art and Africa and the Origin of Man, which featured Nok terracottas, Benin court art, Igbo Ukwu, Ife, and Tsoede bronzes and artwork.
The three-day boat regatta that took place at the Queen’s Drive Foreshore in Ikoyi, Lagos, was another thrilling activity at the festival. The majority of the racers in the boats were from Nigeria. At the event, more than 250 boats displaying acrobats, masquerades, and singers.
The three-day Dubar festival was held in Kaduna and was also attended by participants in FESTAC ’77. Horse riding, disguises, Kakaki trumpeting, and other valiant performances were on display.
Country attendance list for FESTAC ’77.
Africa’s Upper Volta, Morocco, Angola, Senegal, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Ghana, Libya, Zambia, Togo, Guinea-Bissau, Sudan, Algeria, Mali, Sierra Leone, Tunisia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Tanzania, Uganda, and Gambia. Africa’s Central Africa, Zaire, Congo, Benin, Cameroon, Gabon, Mauritius, Niger, Somalia, At the festival, there were also representatives from some South American nations, e. Brazil, Haiti, Guyana, and Cuba. The Caribbean was represented by countries like Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, etc. The United States of America also sent ambassadors from various nations.
At FESTAC ’77 in Lagos, Nigeria, the United States delegation was present.
Margaret Walker of Alabama, United States, created an anthem for FESTAC ’77, and Akin Euba of Nigeria created the music. The song “For My People” has the lyrics listed below.
Anthem for FESTAC ’77.
1. Bring forth a new earth.
Allow the birth of a new world.
Let there be bloody peace.
Be engraved in the heavens.
Festac 77 is here, ends refrain.
2. Allow a subsequent generation.
Come forth courageous.
Let a people that values freedom.
Come to growth.
Festac 77 has arrived, end quote.
3. Let healing beauty flow.
And the final clenching’s strength.
Be our hearts’ beating.
Plus our blood.
Festac 77 has arrived, end quote.
4. Allow writers to pen the war songs.
The dirges should fade away.
Now let the men’s race ascend.
And assume command.
Festac 77 has arrived.
A memorable celebration in Nigerian history, FESTAC ’77 will live on forever.
