From towering headwraps and colourful traditional outfits to celebrity arrivals and international guests, the maiden Lagos Gele Festival transformed Eko Amore Garden in Lekki into a vibrant celebration of Yoruba heritage, fashion and craftsmanship.
But beyond the glamour and glitz, the festival carried a deeper message: the traditional Yoruba headtie could become more than a symbol of elegance and identity. It could also offer young people a path to skills development, employment and financial independence.
The Lagos State Government, which organised the festival on Sunday, offered a N2m prize for the best gele, while promising training and opportunities for artisans to connect with the creative industry.
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The event attracted actresses Sotayo Gaga and Bukky Wright, singer Darey Alade, comedian Folagade Banks, cultural enthusiasts and traditional fashion practitioners. Members of the Chinese community and other international guests also joined the celebration, adding a cross-cultural dimension to the showcase.
Sotayo Gaga and Lagos State Special Adviser on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Idris Aregbe, reportedly drew attention with their arrival in a golf cart, adding to the festival’s colourful atmosphere.
The gele, however, remained the star of the occasion.
With carefully sculpted folds, dramatic shapes and elaborate designs, the headtie took centre stage in a celebration of the artistry behind a tradition passed down through generations of Yoruba women.
For many, the gele is more than an accessory. It is a statement of identity, pride and elegance, often worn at weddings, religious gatherings, festivals and other significant occasions.
At the festival, that cultural significance met contemporary fashion, as stylists and artisans showcased how the traditional headtie continues to evolve while retaining its roots.
From cultural tradition to economic opportunity
The festival was conceived not only to celebrate the gele but also to recognise the people whose creativity and skill have kept the tradition alive.
Aregbe said the initiative followed a letter from a Lagos resident who urged the government to recognise and preserve the traditional headtie by including it in the state’s cultural calendar.
The government subsequently established a festival dedicated to the craft and its practitioners.
Aregbe said the initiative was intended to honour gele stylists, fabric makers, headtie artists, photographers and women who have sustained the tradition over the years.
The N2m prize for the best gele was one of the festival’s highlights, recognising the skill and creativity involved in transforming fabric into intricate designs.
Beyond the competition, the government is seeking to position gele styling as a viable profession, particularly for women and young people interested in fashion, events and tourism.
Ahead of the festival, Aregbe announced training opportunities for young gele artists, covering practical styling skills, entrepreneurship and mentorship.
Reports gave different estimates of the number of beneficiaries, with CBI News reporting that more than 120 young women would receive specialised training, while Aregbe was quoted in a separate QED.ng report as saying hundreds of young artists were being trained.
Connecting artisans to paying opportunities
The government is also planning a creative industry database to connect trained gele artists with event organisers, major functions and tourism showcases across Lagos.
The arrangement is expected to help artisans secure paying engagements beyond the festival and build sustainable careers from their skills.
Aregbe said the training programme would continue through masterclasses and mentorship sessions to accommodate growing interest in professional gele styling.
He said, “If we empower one woman, we empower the family and the entire community.”
The special adviser also pointed to Lagos’ busy social calendar, noting that weddings, parties and other celebrations held across the state every weekend create a steady demand for professional gele artists.
The initiative reflects the state government’s position that tourism, arts and culture can contribute to economic development rather than serve solely as entertainment.
A heritage that continues to evolve
The participation of Chinese nationals and other international guests offered another dimension to the festival, bringing people from different cultural backgrounds together around Yoruba fashion and craftsmanship.
Their presence highlighted the potential of cultural festivals to introduce local traditions to wider audiences while creating opportunities for exchange and appreciation.
For the artisans, however, the significance of the event goes beyond the runway, celebrity appearances and applause.
It is about giving professional recognition to a craft often passed down informally through families and communities, and creating opportunities for its practitioners to earn from their talent.
The maiden Lagos Gele Festival therefore sought to connect cultural preservation with entrepreneurship, celebrating the gele not only as a treasured part of Yoruba identity but also as a creative skill with economic value.
Organisers are yet to publicly announce the winner of the N2m prize or confirm whether another edition will hold in 2027.
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