Nigeria is in a quest to select new leaders come 2023, must I say it is a highly anticipated election because of how deeply our economy has sunk in the past 8 years with many Nigerians fleeing the country in search of greener pastures and those left behind praying for positive change.
In the midst of all of these, campaigns are on and I must tell you; they are on in grand style! Nigerians love to party and we just always find a way to infuse that into whatever we do. So, it came as no surprise that yesterday when a particular party hosted its rally yesterday around the market, all the shops around the campaign ground were not permitted to open because it was nothing short of a carnival.
I was opportune to witness the rally in part, but too conscious to bring out my phone and take proper pictures especially as the clouds were dark and the rains threatened with everywhere but the campaign ground and areas around it experiencing the downpour in the afternoon.
First, the Iyana-Iba Market was declared close for the day, only the fruit sellers were permitted to open.
Second, many of the party members were draped in T-shirts that had the faces of the candidates and other party paraphernalia as they matched along the Lagos-Badagry. Express way.
However, the two most interesting parts of the event for me were;
- the masquerades display
- And how It rained everywhere else around the area where the rally was taking place but did not rain on the rally grounds and the roads adjoining it
It was almost like a tent had been pulled over the entire arena.
- According to tradition, the masquerades never walk alone, they are always flanked but this display was just for pure entertainment not for a traditional ceremony
I don’t know how it works in your culture, but there are some people who are believed to have magical powers to hold the rains or to make it pour down heavily. Have you ever heard of Rainmakers?
In case you missed it, a challenge is on to update Local businesses, let us work on that for now, I will tell you more about the rain makers once the challenge is completed.
Disclaimer - This post is not intended to influence or change your belief(s). This post is for entertainment purposes only and for sharing a part of my culture you may never have heard about; Masquerading, Rain Making culture and how people harness these powers to hold extensive outdoor events without giving a hoot about the weather. QED
