Fanti Carnival: Lagos' Afro-Brazilian Homecoming

0:00It's April 7. This is Canada News Today, powered by AI. Thousands of people hit the streets of Lagos, Nigeria for the annual fontai carnival, honoring the Afro-Brazilian roots of the Aguda communities. These are descendants of folks enslaved and shipped to Brazil, who made it back to West Africa in the 19th century. It's one of the biggest cultural bashes in the region, right up there with Rio's massive party. The carnival usually pops off around Easter, blending Brazilian and Portuguese vibes into local Yorba life through music, food and architecture. Back in the day, we're turning settle right in Lagos, creating this unique fusion that's still alive today. Revellers like Ademola Oduyabo stress how key it is to keep this history going for the next generation, calling it a core part of the city's story. Folks from Aguda settlements lead the charge in organizing and marching. This year's theme, a homecoming of heritage, brought processions from all over to Tafua Beliwa Square.

1:00Dancers in wild costumes with beads, feathers and body pain, grooved to Yorba Beats, some even on horseback, showing off that Brazilian flair. Communities across Africa joined in, turning the streets into a vibrant celebration of shared identity that keeps echoing through Lagos year after year.