The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has recently added the Sango Oyo Festival to its prestigious World Heritage list. This significant recognition took place during the 2023 Eighteenth Session of the Intergovernmental Committee Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Oyo State, Nigeria, lauded this achievement, emphasizing its transformative impact on the state’s standing in the global tourism industry and cultural landscape.
Expressing his excitement, Dr. Olatubosun noted that the inclusion of the Sango Oyo Festival in the UNESCO list positions Nigeria as a cultural giant on the world stage. Looking ahead, he anticipates a substantial international presence at the upcoming Sango Festival in Oyo Town in August 2024, expecting over two thousand tourists from 167 countries.
The commissioner underscored the economic benefits, foreseeing unparalleled growth in the hospitality sector with the influx of visitors during the festival.
During the Convention in Kasane, Republic of Botswana, chaired by H.E. Mr. Mustaq Moorad – the Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Botswana to UNESCO- the global acknowledgment of the Sango Oyo Festival was emphasized as a testament to Nigeria’s rich cultural diversity.
The representative of the Honourable Minister of Arts and Culture and Creative Economy in Nigeria celebrated this recognition, highlighting its role in preserving and showcasing the country’s heritage. The Sango Oyo Festival, embodying unity, tradition, resilience, and vibrant cultural expression, is now officially recognized on the representative list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO.
In response to the momentous occasion, Dr. Paula Gomes, Cultural Ambassador to The Alaafin of Oyo, expressed gratitude for the decade-long efforts leading to the nomination of the Sango Festival. Stressing the festival’s significance to the Alaafin’s throne, the Yoruba Kingdom, and the global community.
Dr. Gomes acknowledged the enduring cultural value and symbolic importance of Sango in uniting people and showcasing Nigeria’s rich heritage.
IMAGE: All nigeria news
