Pjazza

Cape Town Sud Africa

MAURITIUS - Is a spectacular event, and a deeply symbolic one. In Mauritius it is treated as a spring cleaning both of the inner and the outer worlds, as families get together to celebrate the beginning of a new year with vows, fireworks, good food and celebration. (From Africa Guide)

NIGERIA - The Durbar festival is celebrated at the culmination of the two great Muslim festivals Id el Fitri and Id el Kabir. The festival gives a good idea of the past glories of the emirate before the influence of western culture. (From Africa Guide)

MAROCCO - The bustling city celebration of the mysterious music of the Gnawas, the product of a mystic tradition with branches as widespread as Haitian voodoo and Brazilian Candomblé. A picturesque port painted in blue and white, Essaouira is the ideal resort that most travelers dream of when they think of North Africa: laid-back and yet vibrant, atmospheric and relaxing. (From Africa Guide)

Essakane Tombouctou Mali Africa

ZANZIBAR - July 2007 East Africa's largest cultural event, takes place in Zanzibar in magnificent, historical venues along the waterfront of Stone Town. The festival celebrates the unique cultural heritage of the "Dhow" countries: the African continent and the Indian Ocean region and their global Diaspora. (From Africa Guide)

Segou Bamako Mali Africa

MALI - In April the Dogons are famous for their masks and during the five-day event many of them are used in ritual ceremonies that go back more than 1000 years . At each Sigui festival, a new ceremonial mask is carved especially for the occasion, then placed in the Tellem caves. Remnants of these masks going back hundreds of years have been found in the caves. (From Africa Guide)

IVORY COAST - Festival of Masks November - One of Côte d'Ivoire's most famous festivals is the Fêtes des Masques (Festival of Masks), which takes place in the region of Man occurs in November. Numerous small villages in the region hold contests to determine the best dancers and to pay homage to forest spirits who are embodied in the elaborate masks. (From Africa Guide)

Hermanus South Africa

GHANA - This is celebrated on the first Saturday of November every year by the Anlo Ewes of the Volta Region of Ghana. The essential feature of this festival is a magnificent durbar of chiefs and citizens. Hogbetsotso, generally known as "the festival of the Exodus" is held annually to commemorate the escape of the Anlo Ewes from the tyrannical ruler of Notsie - Agokoli of Togo. The chiefs appear on the durbar grounds in their most charming royal regalia and sit in state to acknowledge and receive homage from their subjects. The entire ceremony is laced with non-stop soul-stirring drumming and dancing (From Africa Guide)

GHANA - August/September - The word "Homowo" actually means 'making fun of hunger.' Our traditional oral history describes a time long ago when the rains stopped and the sea closed its gates. A deadly famine spread throughout the southern Accra Plains, the home of the Ga people. When the harvest finally arrived and food became plentiful, the people were so happy that they celebrated with a festival that ridiculed hunger. (From Africa Guide)

SWAZILAND - The new year comes a little early in Swaziland, along with one of the biggest and most intricate African festivals of the year. Incwala, or "Festival of the First Fruits," brings the country together to gain the blessing of ancestors, sanctify the kingship, and kick off the harvest season with a party.The two main celebrations are Little Incwala and Big Incwala. Dates are firmed up by tribal astronomers just weeks before.

The festival begins at "no moon," when people of the Bimanti clans or water people, trek to the Indian Ocean off Mozambique to collect the foam of the waves, which is believed to have mystical powers.They then return to the king's royal cattle kraal or palace, and at dawn of the new moon, the king chews sacred foods prepared with the foam and spits them to the east and west. Then Little Incwala begins.For two days, the people wear traditional outfits and chant sacred songs while the king remains in his kraal.

Big Incwala begins at the full moon. It reflects the maturity of the king the more mature he gets, the wilder the party. The first day, young men walk over 25 miles to gather branches of the sacred Lusekwane bush by the light of the full moon. If any of the men ever made love to a married woman or made a young maiden pregnant, the branches will tell all. It is believed that leaves that touch his unpure hands will wither, and the "pure" people will beat him. Back at the king's kraal, locals sing and drink traditional beer.

On the third day of Big Incwala, young men slaughter an ox and warriors perform the "inczuala" dance around the enclosure where the king hides, begging him to emerge. Eventually the king returns to his people in full Incwala dress. He performs a sacred dance, then eats the first pumpkin of the harvest. When he tosses the rind, the crowd performs a sacred song and dance, and then it's okay to eat the first fruits with the blessings of Swazi ancestors. After a day of rest and meditation, the celebrants build a huge bonfire to burn articles representing the past year, including the king's bedding and other household items. The Swazi people pray to their ancestors to bring rain to put out the fire, and then the big celebration of the new year starts, with feasts, singing, and dancing. 

KENYA - In August the Derby takes place at Maralal, Samburu District, centred at Yare Club & Camp, just four kilometres south of Maralal town on the Nyahururu road. . It is also a spectacular festival packed with a variety of events that draws visitors from all over the world. The Derby has been on the go since 1990, with entries from Australia, America, New Zealand, Canada, England, France, Spain, Japan, South Africa and beyond competing against the reigning Kenya champions in both the amateur and professional races. The route runs through semi-desert regions with varying levels of difficulty and camels (with or without handlers) are available to hire for those wishing to compete. (From Africa Guide)

Malawi Africa

GHANA - This Festival is celebrated by the people of Simpa or Winneba in the Central Region of Ghana. The festival is a celebration to mark the migration of these people from the ancient Western Sudan Empire where they were led by 2 brothers and a god called Otu. Upon consulting their god, they were instructed by their traditional priest or mediator between the people and the god to sacrifice a young member of the Royal family every year to their god. (From Africa Guide)

KENYA - In November, the Mombasa carnival features parades and floats from every conceivable cultural, national and religious group in Kenya. There are two main parades which converge onto Moi Avenue which feature incredible floats, spectacular costumes and fantastic music. (From Africa Guide)

LESOTHO - - October Each year on the first Thursday of October, the Festival is alive and kicking again. The main days of the Festival will be Friday through Sunday. During the four days of the Festival about 40 events will take place at 8 venues in Morija which cater for all tastes in music, dance, drama and film. At the main Arena, Thabeng Football Grounds, are also found arts & crafts displays and sales, as well as information booths and tents marketing a wide range of products, including food and drinks of different traditions. Concerts, Jazz, Famo, Gospel & Kwaito will highlight each day.The friendly & festive atmosphere of this Festival is unique and each visitor is highly welcomed (From Africa Guide)

MAROCCO - JArtists from around the world flock to Morocco's spiritual capital during the annual Fez Sacred Music Festival. The event features performances in a variety of styles, ranging from local Sufi chants to haunting gypsy songs from Spain - a romantic setting for a fine selection of devotional music. To satisfy even the most demanding customer, organizers add annual spectaculars to each year's program. This has included Whirling Dervishes from Iran. There are also concerts on the Bab Boujloud Square, children's educational activities and the famous Sufi nights at Dar Tazi......and much more. (From Africa Guide)

ZANZIBAR - July/August a traditional festival to celebrate the local New Year. It is mainly practiced in the Southern Unguja, particularly in Makunduchi. Originating from Persia and brought here by early, Immigrants, Mwakakogwa is marked by sacrifices, dances, and the actual field fighting. In addition to the tourists from abroad, it draws participants from the whole of East Africa. (From Africa Guide)

Grahamstown Eastern Cape South Africa

Accra Ghana Africa

Woodstock Johannesburg South Africa