Badagry: History and Cultural Traditions

Badagry brings together historic sites and cultural traditions. If you are looking for a hotel in Badagry, these themes can help shape your trip planning: a 19th-century building, oral traditions about drums and masquerades, and places of remembrance connected to the history of enslavement. Each offers a different focus. Architectural history, cultural meanings, and historical routes can be considered as separate topics.

Historic Sites and Oral Traditions

The First Storey Building in Nigeria is located in the Boekoh district of Badagry. It was built in June 1845 by Rev. C.A. Gollmer as the residence of the CMS vicar. Its history therefore includes both the specific year it was built and its purpose at the time. Anyone interested in Badagry’s architectural history will find a clear point of reference here. Oral traditions about music and masquerades focus on other aspects and complement this view of the place without telling the same story.

Sato Drums and Masquerade Traditions

The Sato drums are said to have originated in Akarakumoh in Badagry. Kodjo, Avidagba, and Tosavi built them; they were first played in the village of Akarakumoh. In Badagry, Sato drums are played on special occasions, especially at the burials of elderly and respected people. At about three meters tall, with seven long drumsticks, they have a distinctive form. During performances, the players jump in unison to the rhythm of the drums, wear traditional clothing, and give acrobatic displays. For those interested in music and dance, sound, movement, and clothing go together: they shape the described image of a Sato drum performance.

Egungun is a tradition in Badagry and Yorubaland. It represents the ancestry of families and communities, as well as the spiritual return of deceased ancestors, who bless, guide, and protect the living. Igunuko is a traditional masquerade in Badagry, known for its imposing appearance and deep spiritual symbolism. The two traditions offer different perspectives: Egungun centers on ancestry and the relationship with ancestors, while Igunuko stands out for the appearance and symbolism of its masquerade.

Historic Routes and Gberefu

Another historical tradition is associated with the Agia Tree. According to the tradition, the Gospel was first preached in Nigeria beneath it. The tree lived to be about 350 years old. This religious memory adds a distinct topic to the architectural history of the First Storey Building: the building points to the residence of the CMS vicar in 1845, while the Agia Tree is associated with the traditional account of the Gospel being preached.

The historic Slave Route was the path along which enslaved people were driven between the 16th and 19th centuries. The walk from Gberefu Jetty to the coast at the Point of No Return takes about twenty minutes. This approximate walking time refers to the route between the two named points. A separate story is associated with the Slave Spirit Attenuation Well: the well is located at Gberefu Sea Beach on the other side of the lagoon, directly opposite Badagry’s slave port. Enslaved people were forced to drink from it.

Gberefu Island is also among the places of interest in the area around Badagry. Visit Badagry Ltd. lists a visit to the island as part of its heritage day trips. Check whether the offer is available for your preferred date before planning. The places and traditions can thus be distinguished by their respective focus: architectural history, cultural traditions, and the history of enslavement sit alongside one another without forming a single stop or route.

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For the broader travel overview: Lagos.