Unity in Cultural Diversity 

Yinka Olatunbosun

Long queues winding up at the labelled food stands signalled the start of a feast inside Banana Island, Ikoyi Lagos, last weekend. The assortment of food and costumes has become a regular sight at this festival, which brings families and neighbours together every year.

This year was not different as the annual Multicultural Festival once again brought together countries to celebrate their cultures. The event, which took place on October 5 to mark Nigerian Independence Day, featured numerous countries showcasing their traditional foods, dances, and heritage. Among the participants, South Korea stood out with an impressive display of culture.

Themed “Tour the World,” the festival was a kaleidoscope of unique cultures showcased through food, dances, and other things. Aimed at creating an opportunity for residents and visitors to explore different cultures and foster cultural immersion, the festival has become a staple in Banana Island’s cultural calendar. 

As a home to many expatriates, Banana Island was abuzz as guests arrived at the venue in droves, taking pictures while satisfying their palette curiosity. Every food stand was christened after the country it represented, making it convenient for guests to make their food choices.

During his remarks at the event, Kim Chang-ki, Director of the Korean Cultural Centre Nigeria (KCCN), explained the importance of South Korea’s participation in the festival. He emphasised that it provided a chance to promote Korean culture and create an avenue for cultural exchange between Nigeria and the other countries represented.

“It is an opportunity to promote Korean culture, like K-pop, Korean food, and K-dramas,” he said. “In May, we had a K-pop festival in Lagos. We don’t have many big events here in Lagos this year, so this Multicultural Festival is a great platform with many countries participating and many people attending. I want to promote Korean food, and we prepared eight kinds of dishes, including Samgyetang, Jajangmyeon, Bulgogi, and Bibimbap.”

In addition to the food, the country entertained the audience with a performance by Femmevoice, a Nigerian dance group, and the winners of the 2024 K-pop Festival. 

The festival was highly competitive, with each country attempting to showcase the best of their cultural traditions. Each booth displayed the respective countries’ national flags, food, and traditional artifacts. Visitors were invited to sample different foods and enjoy cultural performances.

Nigeria, the host country, was represented by several ethnic groups, including Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, and Calabar, each of whom showcased their distinct foods, dances, and attire. Other participating countries included Zimbabwe, Indonesia, the Philippines, Ghana, India, Jamaica, Pakistan, Côte d’Ivoire, and South Africa. The Banana Island Multicultural Festival was a vibrant celebration of cultural diversity, bringing people from around the world together in a spirit of unity and mutual respect.