Join our WhatsApp channel HERE for the latest Benue news and updates!
Makurdi, the Benue State capital, is set to come alive today, Saturday, December 27, 2025, as the Kyegh Sha Shwa (KSS) Cultural Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary with a spectacular grand finale. The climax of the 2025 edition will unfold at the Benue State Secretariat Forest Park, offering a full day of culture, music, and pageantry from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The festival, which began in 2015 as a modest gathering to revive and promote Tiv culinary and cultural traditions, has grown into one of the largest annual celebrations of Tiv heritage. Named after the cherished Tiv delicacy Kyegh Sha Shwa—a special soup traditionally made with sesame and chicken—the event fosters unity, reconciliation, and communal pride among the Tiv people while showcasing their rich identity to the world.
Activities will kick off with a vibrant KSS procession from the Benue State Secretariat Junction into the main arena, setting an energetic tone steeped in Tiv heritage. Organizers promise guests thrilling performances by some of Benue’s finest pop stars, breathtaking traditional dances, the highly anticipated **Uka Uka** eating competition—where participants devour pounded yam with meat sans soup—a glamorous red carpet showcase, fashion parade, keynote address, and a bustling food court brimming with local delicacies.
Attendees are encouraged to don traditional Tiv attire, particularly the iconic black-and-white patterns known as Anger, or black-and-white outfits to add color and authenticity to the historic occasion. As the festival reaches a decade milestone, organizers describe the finale as more than just a party: it is a proud statement of culture, unity, and enduring heritage.
Makurdi is ready. The drums are set. The culture speaks. This 10th anniversary promises to be an unforgettable celebration of Tiv resilience and communal spirit.
