Bado Isale Emerges Winner as Colourful Fanti Carnival Lights Up

Bado Isale emerged overall winner of the 2026 Kayokayo Fanti Carnival street dance competition.
Seven wards showcased colourful costumes, cultural performances and traditional dances from Oke Balogun Central Mosque to the Epe Marina Waterfront.
The carnival promoted unity, cultural preservation and healthy competition as part of the 175th Kayokayo Festival.

The ancient town of Epe kingdom came alive with vibrant colours, music, dance and cultural pride as residents and visitors gathered for the highly anticipated Fanti Carnival, one of the major highlights of the 175th Kayokayo Festival.

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Eko Hot Blog reports that the carnival, which commenced from Oke Balogun Central Mosque and Ended at the Marina Water Front, attracted thousands of spectators who lined the streets to witness the spectacular parade of culture and tradition by the participating wards across Epe Kingdom.

Declaring the carnival open, the Coordinator of the Kayokayo Festival, Barrister Bayo Okulu, urged participants to uphold the values of unity, discipline and cultural preservation throughout the event.

The celebration began with prayers led by the President of Oke Balogun Descendants, who sought divine blessings for the success of the carnival and the continued peace of Epe Kingdom.

“We pray for good weather, lasting peace and greater unity among the people of Eko Epe. May this celebration strengthen our bond as one community and preserve the rich cultural heritage handed down by our forefathers,” he prayed.

Following the opening ceremony, the streets of Epe transformed into a colourful spectacle as the participating wards Bado Isale, Bado Oke, Oke Posun-Lagbade, Oke Balogun, Isale Agoro, Oke Oba-Popo Oba and the Royal Waterfront, showcased beautifully designed costumes, cultural regalia and captivating dance performances that reflected the history and identity of their respective communities.

Residents and tourists cheered enthusiastically as each ward entertained the crowd with energetic choreography, traditional music and artistic displays while moving through designated routes before converging at the Epe Marina Waterfront for the grand finale.

One of the major attractions of this year’s carnival was the street dance competition, where each ward was evaluated by a panel of judges. Contestants were scored on creativity, coordination, cultural representation, stage performance and overall comportment, making the contest keenly contested from start to finish.

At the conclusion of the competition held at the Epe Marina Waterfront, Bado Isale emerged as the overall winner after delivering a remarkable performance that impressed both the judges and spectators. Their display combined creativity, discipline and a rich expression of Epe’s cultural heritage, earning them the top prize in this year’s edition of the carnival.

The Fanti Carnival once again reinforced its reputation as one of the signature events of the Kayokayo Festival, promoting cultural tourism, fostering unity among the various wards and celebrating the enduring traditions of Epe Kingdom.