Ṣàngó Festival is a festival celebrated by the Yorubas in Oyo state in remembrance of the 3rd Alaafin (King) of the Oyo Empire in the western part of Nigeria. Ṣàngó was a fierce warrior king who reigned for 7 years around 1300AD and was deified after his death as the god of Thunder, Fire and Vengeance. Ṣàngó’s reign ended when his palace was destroyed by lightening. He was preceded by Oranmiyan and Ajaka. Ṣàngó had three Queens who also became deities (Orishas) and three rivers, Osun, Oba and Oya. These wives are still being worshipped till today. The celebration of the World Ṣàngó Festival is a ten-day event observed between 8–17th August of every year starting on the Yorubas’ New Year Eve in the palace of Alaafin of Oyo. The festival was renamed World Ṣàngó Festival by the Oyo State Government in 2013 because it is celebrated in over 40 countries around the world. Sango festival is recognized by the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2023.

Ṣàngó, The Alaafin of Oyo

Among all the past Kings of Oyo, Ṣàngó stands out. His reign was marked by wars which brought prosperity to the Oyo Kingdom. He was a powerful sorcerer who during his time as Alaafin has the power to summon lightening, fire and thunder with his powerful double battle axe, the Oṣè.

His parentage is debated, with some versions saying his father was Oranmiyan, the founder of Oyo, while others link him to the fiery king Ajagun and Obatala. Other accounts confirmed that he was conceived by a Nupe mother and an Oduduwa grandson. Sango’s fearsome reputation stemmed from his ability to spurt fire and his short temper, traits that led him to lead Oyo in battle against threats like the Owu Kingdom. During Ajaka’s reign as Alaafin, Oyo kingdom was always under constant threat from the Owu Kingdom. The Olowu was Ajaka’s cousin; who ruled Owu Kingdom. Olowu declared a bounty on Alaafin Ajaka, hence to rescue him, the Oyomesi (King’s Council) sent for Ṣàngó in Nupe land to come to their rescue. Prior to that, Ṣàngó ‘s fame was already flourishing at Nupe, he was powerful, fearless and highly short-tempered. He will spurt fire out of his mouth whenever he was angry.

After Ṣàngó rescued Ajaka and saved Oyo, Ajaka was sent on exile emanating from a vote of no confidence from the Oyomesi, Sango was made king. As the third Alaafin, he ruled fearlessly.

Ṣàngó as Alaafin was known for his warrior prowess and commanding presence. He had three wives — Oya, Osun, and Oba — each with their own stories of love and betrayal. Touching the hair of the King has always been a Taboo in Yorubaland but one of Sango’s wives, Oya often braids his hair. Oya was trusted but later betrayed him, revealing his secrets. Osun, the river goddess, was his favorite for her cooking skills, and Oba, in desperation for his love, mutilated herself, turning into the River Oba after a quarrel with Osun.

Ṣàngó was known wearing red clothing and cowries (Laba and Yewu), his weapon of choice wasdouble-bladed axe (Ose Sango) and braided his hair in a style called Suku. The Ram was a common animal and is still regarded by his supporters as Sango’s symbolic pet; red was his favorite color. He had a unique kind of drum known as a “Bata” and liked to eat yam, porridge, and bitter kolanut. These characteristics are still present among his adherents of the illustrious Yoruba Ifa religion as well as Ṣàngó worshippers to this day. They have pyromania, carry the double battle axe (often wooden), could breathe fire, and dress like Sango. Also, the Edun Ara, the stone that symbolizes Sango’s power, continues to be a sacred object revered by his followers. It represents his connection to thunder and lightning, further cementing his legacy as one of the most powerful and iconic figures in Yoruba history.

Ṣàngó ‘s downfall came through his warlords, Gbonka and Timi who were very powerful. He tried to pitched them against one another which ended in Timi’s death. Realizing Ṣàngó’s plan, Gbonka got angry, a power struggle ensued, leading to Sango’s eventual exile. Although legend says he hanged himself at Koso, his followers believe he ascended to the heavens, becoming the god of thunder and lightning, as the phrase “Obakoso” — Sango did not hang — attests. Sango’s legacy continues to inspire reverence, with followers emulating his fiery spirit in annual festivals like the Sango Festival and in movies on Yoruba Orishas of the same name “Ṣàngó”.

World Ṣàngó festival celebrates his might and influence, honoring him with symbolic elements like red clothing, the double-bladed axe, and the Bata drums that once echoed his power in ancient Oyo Empire.

Through slavery, the worship of Ṣàngó has spread to the Americas (Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, Cuba) and the Caribbean. He is often called Sango, Ṣàngó, Changó, Xangô, Jakuta, Nzazi, Hevioso, and Siete Rayos.