“The Asun Carnival was designed to acknowledge and celebrate the fact  that a particular food item has become synomous with the location in which the carnival would be taking place,” says tourism icon Otunba Olawanle Akinboboye as he declared Asun Carnival, the tourism product of the week.

He explained that Asun is a very spicy smoked goat meat that is traditionally prepared over an open fire (grill) then sautéed in hot pepper and spices. This delicacy can be served as an appetiser, main meal or snack.Asun originated from the Yoruba people of Ondo State, where any occasion without the delicacy is considered incomplete.He also noted that the preferred species of goat used to make Asun were the short round pot bellied goat known as Nigerian dwarf goat which could be found throughout Ondo.

Hosting the carnival in Ondo is therefore another example of ‘taking advantage of your advantages’.

He noted that, globally there were a number of festivals and carnivals that celebrate food and / or drink synonymous with the locality hosting same.

A well known example of this is the Oktoberfest held in September / October each year in Germany to showcase the breweries and beer making for which the Bavarian region of Germany is famous.

Oktoberfest  features  a wide range of German beers and traditional foods like bratwurst, sauerkraut, and pretzels. There is live music, dancing, and carnival rides. Visitors can also take part in beer-drinking contests or watch a parade of decorated floats.

Hosting the carnival in Ondo is therefore another example of ‘taking advantage of your advantages’.

He noted that, globally there were a number of festivals and carnivals that celebrate food and / or drink synonymous with the locality hosting same.

A well known example of this is the Oktoberfest held in September / October each year in Germany to showcase the breweries and beer making for which the Bavarian region of Germany is famous.

Oktoberfest  features  a wide range of German beers and traditional foods like bratwurst, sauerkraut, and pretzels. There is live music, dancing, and carnival rides. Visitors can also take part in beer-drinking contests or watch a parade of decorated floats.

Otunba Akinboboye noted that Nigerian food has become more popular internationally. In support of this assertion he alluded to the global discussions on the ‘Jollof rice war’ between Nigeria and Ghana, as well as the recent establishment of restaurants like Lagos in New York which  served only Nigerian cuisine.

He then noted that there are approximately 1 billion people of African origin in the diasporas who, with careful marketing, could be encouraged to explore their culinary roots and become the target market for food festivals  that focus on African food and drinks.

Returning to the subject of the Asun carnival, Otunba Akinboboye noted that it was taking place in and around the newly established La Campagne Tropicana Resort in Ondo today Saturday 27 April 2024.The Asun carnival features exotically dressed performers, music and dancing as well as plenty of Asun.

There will also be a fashion show and a number of competitions, such as ‘The tastiest Asun’ and ‘The Most Successful Goat Catcher’ at which prizes would be won by participants.Otunba Akinboboye noted that festivals and carnivals such as the Asun Carnival creates job opportunities for young people.

In this regard, he mentioned that the Ondo Youth Council started a goat farm in anticipation of the upsurge in demand that would be driven by the Asun carnival.

However, they had quickly found that they are unable to meet the current demand for goats that is driven by the regular social events that take place in and around Ondo and for which Asun is a necessity.

Otunba Akinboboye emphasized that the carnival also created job opportunities for the tailors that would make the costumes used by performers. Work would also be generated for the dancers and musicians who would be performing as well as the vendors selling food and drinks during the carnival.

Otunba Akinboboye mentioned that the variety of regional delicacies in Nigeria created opportunities across the country for food festivals/ carnivals dedicated to specific food items. So, for example, a food festival or carnival could be held to celebrate Isi- Ewu in the east, Suya, Kilishi Sere and Dambu in the North and not forgetting Ikokore in Ijebu.

The tourism icon Otunba Akinboboye, said he hopes that hearing about this product would pique young entrepreneurs interest on how the food and drinks we grew up with can be used to create tourism products that will generate employment and grow our economy