LAGOS, NIGERIA – The vibrant pulse of Afro-Brazilian culture returned to the heart of Lagos this Easter Monday as over 40,000 people descended upon Tafawa Balewa Square for the 2026 Lagos Fanti Carnival. Themed “A Homecoming of Heritage,” the festival transformed the city into a kaleidoscope of samba rhythms, ornate costumes, and historical reflection.
The Fanti Carnival stands as a living monument to the “Aguda” – Afro-Brazilians who, having been granted their freedom after the abolition of the slave trade in the nineteenth century, returned home to West Africa. This rich heritage still influences the architecture, cuisine, and lifestyle of Lagos today. This year’s event has featured seven large groups, including Brazilian Campos Carreta, Lafiaji Fanti, Olowogbowo, and Okepopo, as they celebrate their ethnic origins with dancing and colourful processions.
“It’s not about partying; this is a condemnation of the practice of slavery and a celebration of our ancestors. The trade was all about dehumanising us for the sake of profits. Here and now, we celebrate our culture as proof that our skin colours have nothing to do with our intelligence or destiny.”
Its international character was evident in the tourists who attended the event. “Our cultures are very much alike,” said David Flores, one of the tourists, while he watched live performances and ate local food, saying that “everything is perfectly organised and filled with colourful lights.”
This carnival is celebrated during a very special period in the history of global affairs when, last month, the landmark resolution declaring the transatlantic slave trade as “the gravest crime against humanity” was adopted in Ghana by the majority vote of 123 states, comprising the African bloc and BRICS. However, despite the overwhelming majority voting in favour, there were opposing voices from Western countries, resulting in 52 abstentions.
Thus, the sun set while the Lagos Fanti Carnival continued to symbolise the strength and unity of the African Diaspora.
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