Rise of Local Music Festivals in Enugu: From Highlife to Hip-Hop

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Local music festivals in Enugu are now everywhere. People gather to sing, dance, and have fun. 

In the old days, Enugu was known for highlife music with drums and guitars. 

Now, young people mix hip-hop and street sounds. These festivals bring everyone together, whether old or young, rich or poor. 

They make Enugu lively, help local singers grow, and keep the city’s culture alive.

History of Enugu and Its Music Roots

Enugu is a city full of stories and songs. Long ago, people in Enugu loved to sing and dance after work or during festivals. 

This is how Highlife music started to grow. It used drums, guitars, and horns to make sweet sounds that made people happy.

In the 1950s and 1960s, highlife became very popular in Nigeria. Many great singers came from Enugu and nearby towns. Their songs talked about love, peace, and daily life.

Today, people still listen to those old songs. But young artists now mix the old highlife with hip-hop and Afrobeat. This keeps the music alive and fresh for everyone to enjoy.

 

Traditional Festivals That Set the Stage

Before local music festivals in Enugu began, people already loved songs and dance. Their old festivals had music, drums, and joy that still inspire today’s events.

1. New Yam Festival (Iri Ji / Iwa Ji)

First, the New Yam Festival is one of the most significant events in Enugu. It marks the start of the harvest season. 

People thank God for good crops and share food with their neighbours.

During the festival, music fills the air. Drummers play talking drums, flutes sing, and dancers move with smiles. 

The beats bring everyone together, just like local music festivals in Enugu do today.

2. Iriji-Mmanwu Festival

The Iriji-Mmanwu Festival mixes the joy of the New Yam with the fun of masquerades. 

The sound of drums and gongs leads the masquerades as they dance through the streets.

Crowds sing, clap, and cheer. The music is intense and energetic, and keeps people’s spirits high. 

This same spirit now flows into local music festivals in Enugu.

3. Mmanwu (Masquerade) Festival

The Mmanwu Festival is one of the oldest cultural events in Enugu. Men dress in colourful masks and dance to loud drumbeats.

The songs tell stories of bravery, peace, and wisdom. Each step and drumbeat shows pride in the land. 

These performances inspired many modern local music festivals in Enugu that blend culture with fun.

4. Omabe Festival (Nsukka and Enugu-Ezike)

The Omabe Festival is special to people in Nsukka and Enugu-Ezike. It happens once every few years and draws big crowds.

The music is intense. Drums, rattles, and chants fill the night. The sound connects people to their roots. 

Like other local music festivals in Enugu, it keeps tradition alive while uniting the people.

5. Village New Yam and Harvest Festivals

Many towns in Enugu hold their own villages, New Yam, and harvest festivals. Families gather, cook, and sing. 

Local drummers and dancers perform in the village square. These small events may not have big stages, but the joy and music are the same. 

They show that local music festivals in Enugu began with love, unity, and rhythm.

Modern Local Music Festivals in Enugu

1. New Yam Music Festival (NYMF)

The New Yam Music Festival (NYMF) is one of the biggest local music festivals in Enugu. It brings together music, culture, and food in one grand event. 

The 2025 edition will be held on December 14–15 at the Amadeo Event Centre, Enugu. 

Before the main show, there are smaller events in Lagos where Igbo leaders and artists promote the culture.

During the festival, people enjoy a mix of highlife, hip-hop, Afrobeat, and traditional dance. Top Igbo singers perform live with drums, flutes, and guitars. 

There are yam displays, storytelling, and art shows. The air is full of songs, laughter, and the smell of roasted yams.

This festival has a significant impact on Enugu. It attracts visitors from across Nigeria and abroad, helping hotels, traders, and food sellers earn money. 

It also keeps Igbo culture alive and gives young artists a chance to perform on stage.  

2. Five Star Music Festival

The Five Star Music Festival is another major event that lights up Enugu every year. 

The 2025 edition took place on April 20, 2025 (Easter Sunday) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium. 

It was hosted by Kcee, a popular Nigerian artist from the Five Star Music group. Kcee and other famous singers perform both old Highlife tunes and new Hip-Hop sounds. 

People also win prizes such as cash, tricycles, and home items, which makes the festival even more exciting.

The festival helps Enugu’s local economy grow. Food vendors, bike riders, and hotel owners all earn more money. It also builds the city’s name as a home of music and joy. 

Like other local music festivals in Enugu, it gives artists, dancers, and small businesses a stage to shine.

READ MORE

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• Nigerian Festive Calendar 2025: Key Cultural Festivals, Events & Celebrations

 

Why Local Music Festivals in Enugu Are Growing Fast

Today, local music festivals in Enugu are growing more than ever. 

Below are the main reasons why they keep getting bigger every year.

• Love for Culture

People want to keep their roots and traditions alive. Festivals help them sing, dance, and remember who they are.

• Support from Government and Sponsors

The Enugu State government and private brands now support these events. They see them as ways to promote tourism and youth talent.

• Social Media Power

Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok help spread videos and photos fast. This brings more visitors and fans to each festival.

• Youth Energy

Young people in Enugu love music. They attend and perform in festivals, mixing old highlife sounds with modern hip-hop.

• Tourism and Economy

When people come to festivals, hotels, taxis, and shops, they make money. This helps Enugu grow as a music and culture city.

• Better Venues and Tech

More event centres, sound systems, and lights now make festivals more fun and easier to host.

Economic Impact of Local Music Festivals in Enugu

Local music festivals in Enugu are not just for fun. They also help people earn money and grow small businesses.

• More Visitors

Each festival brings people from other cities and countries. They spend money on food, transport, and hotels.

• Jobs for Locals

Youths work as ushers, dancers, sound crew, and vendors during events.

• Boost for Small Businesses

Traders sell food, drinks, clothes, and crafts around festival grounds.

• Support for Tourism

The events make Enugu known as a cultural and travel spot.

• City Growth

More festivals mean more business, more smiles, and a stronger local economy.

Conclusion

Local music festivals in Enugu keep culture alive and help young artists shine. They bring joy, unity, and growth to the city. Join the next festival and feel the rhythm of Enugu’s heartbeat.

 

FAQs

1. What Are Local Music Festivals in Enugu?

They are events in Enugu where people gather to enjoy music, dance, and culture.

2. Why Are These Festivals Important?

They promote Igbo culture, support local talent, and boost Enugu’s economy.

3. When Do They Usually Happen?

Most take place during festive seasons, such as Easter, or after the yam harvest in December.

4. Who Can Attend?

Everyone is welcome — locals, tourists, and music lovers from anywhere.

5. How Do These Festivals Help The City?

They attract visitors, create jobs, and make Enugu a centre for art and culture.