Gospel Alhaji, Omo Awe, others thrill at sallah
As part of the Eid el Kabir celebrations on Wednesday, all roads led to the Heritage Africa Village Square for a full dose of entertainment and culture.
Performers including stand-up comedians Gospel Alhaji, Omo Awe, Time Bello and Arojah Royal Theatre entertained guests with an array of performances including theatre, dance and comedy. Abuja residents and guests to the federal capital were also thrilled with cultural performances by the Benue State Council for Arts and Culture troupe who came prepared with Swange dancers, a performer of the Tiv cat dance - Tsuwetsele, masquerades and kwagh-hir cultural troupe.
West Africa was at the Village Square with a balafon performer dressed in Fulani regalia playing Yoruba, Ibo and Hausa tunes, among others.
The full day event began with golf lessons for children from morning until late afternoon after which they moved to the amphitheatre along with their parents and others guests who came to experience the cultural night.
Speaking on the idea behind the event, Heritage Africa Programs Director, Jerry Adesewo, said, “The Sallah Feast is our opportunity to identify with our Muslim brothers and sisters.
“Most Abuja residents, journey back home to celebrate the festive season. They are of the opinion that there is not to stay back for in Abuja. There was therefore the need to provide the opportunity for those who stayed back to enjoy the Sallah break like never before and most importantly, from a cultural and artistic perspective.
Contemporary music dished out by DJ Neat, kept guests warmed up as they migrated indoors from the amphitheatre to continue the show in the four floor exhibition space.
Female drummers took the evening a notch higher as they showed their dexterity playing the drums supported by the sounds of
Wanamase dance steps sent the audience begging for more as she revived their spirits with the ingenuity of her costume, music and performance.
For youth corps member, Aisha Momodu who said she decided to spend her first Sallah in the north in Abuja rather than go to Edo, it was a worthwhile experience. “I am very happy I stayed back. I have been seeing these swange dancers on NTA and was always amused by their dance. I am so happy to see them face to face today. I also never knew these indigenous people of Abuja, but I have really enjoyed their dance.”
Momodu who said she heard about the event on Instagram added that, “I especially like the boldness of the men and their costume. It is important for me that, although they have lost a lot of their original settlements, they have not lost their culture. It is important for the FCT and Abuja as a whole to organise more and more of these events instead of people going to Millenium Park and the likes on Sallah and Christmas days.”