Undiscovered Indigenous Festivals You Need to Experience
- Unearthed Team
- Feb 17
- 8 min read
Across continents, indigenous festivals offer vibrant snapshots into traditions that have withstood the test of time. These cultural celebrations are more than just events — they’re living histories, uniting communities through age-old rituals, storytelling, and breathtaking performances. With so many indigenous people providing a window into their culture for the rest of the world to see, they offer a complex cultural interaction which goes beyond the surface. Whether it’s the dazzling courtship displays of Chad’s Gerewol Festival or the tender matchmaking rituals at Morocco’s Imilchil Marriage Festival, these gatherings invite us to witness unique customs passed down through generations.
Africa
Gerewol Festival (Chad)
WHEN: September / October
Towards the end of the rainy season, Chad becomes the backdrop of one the world’s most colourful courtship rituals. The Gerewol is a centuries-old festival in which men don bold attire, wear creative makeup and perform mystifying dances to attract a new partner. Members of the Mbororo tribe or Wodaabe nomads gather near Chad’s capital to celebrate this annual courtship ceremony which lasts a few days. Not only does it serve as a traditional step to unify and bring together clans, but its main goal is for the women to find a partner.
The male beauty standards in the Wodaabe tribe dictate tall, slender builds with white eyes and white teeth. These features are all accentuated during the performances, with the men rolling their eyes and baring their teeth to produce a toothy smile. From eloquent dances to socialising and even camel racing, the men of the numerous tribes do their utmost to try and impress the women. This cultural festival has only been in the public spotlight since the early 1980s, when photojournalist, Carol Beckwith first documented the ceremony.
Imilchil Marriage Festival (Morocco)
WHEN: September
High in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, the Imilchil Marriage Festival showcases the local’s unique way of commemorating their love for one another. The ceremony originates from a tragic legend of forbidden love. The story entails a young man and woman from opposing Amazigh tribes who fell in love. Their families disapproved of their union and forbade them from being together, prompting both of them to drown in two lakes which were separated by a mountain. This tragedy instigated a union between the two sides in which they both agreed that their children could have the freedom to choose their partners. Thus, the Imilchil Marriage Festival was born.
This cultural ceremony sees young Bergen men and women trekking the mountain countrysides to the opposing remote village in search for a suitable partner. Whilst no weddings physically take place during the festival, many leave with the hope of at least getting engaged. Both parties adorn their finest clothes with the aim to impress whilst parents often follow suit to give their blessings to prospective matches. Whilst the festival remains predominantly a local affair, respectful visitors are given permission to watch the match-making take place.
Asia
Baliem Valley Festival (Indonesia)
WHEN: August
The Baliem Valley Festival sees multiple Papuan tribes unite whilst welcoming the intrepid traveller to witness the culture and traditions which have been unchanged for centuries. In fact, a big part of the ceremonies are a way for the communities to introduce their culture to the rest of the world. Whilst there are multiple tribes present, all showcasing their diverse ceremonious clothing and accessories, the festival is one of the only times in the year in which they celebrate their shared heritage.
The festival is located within a mesmerising backdrop of green vegetation and rolling hills, high in the Jayawijaya mountains. It is one the last places in the world where influence of civilisation remains small. The ceremonies include tribes such as the Dani, Yali and Lani people and lasts a couple of days. Its aim is to preserve cultural and indigenous integrity among the tribes and includes a mock tribal warfare, an affair to maintain agility and preparedness to defend their villages. Between ritualistic dances, pig racing and traditional musical performances, visitors can learn about the diverse culture which remains very much alive in this part of the world.
Hornbill Festival (India)
WHEN: December
Described as the ‘festival of festivals’ by the 17 major Naga tribes in India, the Hornbill Festival is held in Kisama. First established in 2000 by the Nagaland government to preserve the tribes’ indigenous culture, it is a relatively new festival. It represents all ethnic group of the Nagaland region, making it an annual extravaganza where tourists are welcomed to learn more about their traditional and heritage. The ten-day long affair is held at the Naga Cultural Village and tribal attendance is compulsory.
Named after the namesake bird, it is a representation of the state’s folklore and nation’s shared respect for the animal. There are various events which take place during Hornbill festival including sports, food fairs, cultural games, craft stalls and musical concerts. Each of the various Naga tribes showcase their own traditional take on all of these, giving visitors the opportunity to delve deeper into their heritage.
South America
Inti Raymi (Peru)
WHEN: June
Also known as the Festival of the Sun, this ceremony is held in Cusco (the former capital of the Inca Empire). It is an Incan-based celebration which honours Inti the sun god, and marks the beginning of the Incan New Year and winter solstice in the southern hemisphere. It is held on the shortest day of the year (June 24th), when the sun is farthest away from the earth. The festival’s events take place in three main spots around the city: the Plaza de Armas, the temple of Q’oricancha and the fortress of Saqsayhuaman.
The celebration sees hundreds of performers dressed in Inca attire and includes actors who reenact ancient scenes from the Inca’s rich history. The festivities stick to traditional rituals as close as possible, reciting prayers in the Quechua language — the language of the Incas — to simulated a llama sacrifice (no animals are actually harmed). Whilst the entire festival is more of a theatrical depiction, it gives visitors a deeper look into Incan heritage and history.
Yawanawá Mariri Festival (Brazil)
WHEN: depends on the Yawanawá lunar calendar (usually between August and September)
Deep in the Amazon rainforest in the Mutum village, the Yawanawá Mariri Festival is a sacred gathering for the tribes of the area. The cultural affairs which take place are important cultural events which happen in the Acre region, helping to establish long-term cultural preservation. For five days, the Yawanawá people unite under spiritual ceremonies of purification, healing and vitality.
Acre is located in Brazil’s most western region and is home to about one thousand indigenous people divided among seven Yawanawá villages. The tribes’ way of life is only open to the conscious visitor, as they understand that the white man’s experience can result in a positive outcome for the preservation of their tribes. This very cultural celebration includes Mariri dances, typical foods, colourful body painting and traditional rituals of cipó and snuff (mixtures made from tobacco, ash from trees and other native plants from the Amazon rainforest).
Oceania
Hiri Moale Festival (Papua New Guinea)
WHEN: April
The Hiri Moale Festival is held in Port Moresby and is a celebration which pays homage to the historic Hiri trading voyages of the seafaring Motuans. They journeys to the Gulf Province on large sailing canoes known as lakatoi in which they traded with the other people of the Gulf. These journeys solidified friendships and cultural ties with communities, forming a big part of their current legacy. The festival reenacts these sizeable sea exhibitions, with one of the highlights being the Lakatoi parade which features colourfully decorated canoes.
The cultural demonstrations also feature a number of other performances, including the Hiri Hanenamo Contest. Here, young Motuan women compete for the Hiri Queen title. Rather than it being scored on looks or costume designed, the omen are judged on their knowledge of Motuan traditions and culture. This detail further emphasises the festival’s goal of preserving the region’s indigenous heritage.
Teuila Festival (Samoa)
WHEN: September
First held back in 1991, the Teuila Festival is a week-long affair which sees villages, church congregations and communities competing through traditional performances. It is about celebrating all aspects of Samoan and Polynesian culture whilst simultaneously promoting indigenous awareness and tourism. The festival opens with a grand ceremony featuring intricately-decorated floats, traditional dances and insightful speeches from dignitaries.
The most anticipated ceremony which takes place during the Teuila Festival is the Miss Sāmoa Pageant. It lasts two days and considered to be the grand finale to the celebrations. The pageant is seen as a way to celebrate individual accomplishments whilst representing the island’s heritage and traditional values. From community-led sporting events to activities around the Samoan language, the festival allows locals and tourists alike to divulge in Samoan culture.
North America
Hoobiyee (Canada)
WHEN: February / March
This festival marks the start of the new harvest season and sees thousands of indigenous people from the Nisga’a Nation gather from across the country. The Nisga’a people have lived on British Columbia’s northwest coast for centuries. The festivities gives the Nisga’a community the opportunity to reflect and pray for a good, prosperous year. It is also a crucial moment for the older generations to pass down their knowledge to the young.
The annual Hoobiyee festival is run by the Nisga’a Ts’amiks Vancouver Society, a non-profit organisation founded in 2000. They work to make this affair as inclusive as possible to unite with indigenous and non-indigenous individuals under one roof to share the community spirit. From drumming to storytelling and singing in the Nisga’a dialect, the festival also features crafts people and artisans who employ traditional techniques that have been passed down for generations.
Gathering Of Nations Powwow (USA)
WHEN: April
As North America’s largest Powwow gathering, this cultural festival welcomes over 3,000 indigenous, Native American, and Indian communities who represent more than 500 tribes over the continent. It started out as a humble affair where Native people can come together to celebrate their culture. Since starting in 1983, it has become an annual extravaganza which features horse parades and the Miss Indian World Pageant — the most prestigious cultural title for young Indigenous women.
The Gathering of Nations features dances and vocal performances from across the indigenous communities, including music on Stage 49 which features the best from Native American performers. It is also a unique opportunity to wander down the aisles of the the Indian Trader’s Market where visitors can indulge in native delicacies.
Comments