[Sender’s Address]
No. 5, Oke Street,
Ibadan, Oyo State.
23rd September, 2025.
Dear Sandra,
It gives me great joy to write to you after such a long time. How are you and your parents? I trust that life abroad has been treating you kindly. You once asked me to tell you about special events in my school, and I could not wait to share with you the colourful way we recently celebrated our cultural day.
The cultural day was held on the 15th of July, and the entire school prepared for weeks to make it a memorable one. Right from the entrance of the school gate, the environment was beautifully decorated with palm fronds, balloons, and colourful fabrics. As soon as I arrived, I could already hear the sound of talking drums, flutes, and gongs filling the air with excitement.
The celebration began with a procession of students dressed in different traditional attires representing the diverse ethnic groups in Nigeria. Some wore Yoruba agbada and gele, others Igbo isiagu with red caps, while the Hausa group displayed their flowing babariga with turbans. I proudly joined the Yoruba group, and I must confess that I looked elegant in my aso-oke outfit.
After the procession, the principal gave a short speech, reminding us of the importance of preserving our cultural heritage in the face of modern civilization. His words were inspiring and set the tone for the rest of the day.
Then came the performances. Each cultural group presented something unique—traditional dances, drama sketches, and folk songs. The Igbo group performed the famous Atilogwu dance with so much energy that the audience clapped endlessly. The Hausa group presented a short play on the importance of honesty, while the Yoruba group (my group) entertained everyone with bata drumming and dance.
There was also a cultural exhibition where local foods, crafts, and traditional tools were displayed. I tasted ofe nsala (Igbo white soup), tuwo shinkafa (a Hausa delicacy), and of course, amala with ewedu from the Yoruba stand. The taste was heavenly, and it reminded me of how rich our culture truly is.
The event ended with an award ceremony. My group won second place in the dance competition, while the Igbo group took the first position. Nevertheless, everyone felt like a winner because the aim was to celebrate unity in diversity.
Sandra, I wish you had been there to witness the beauty of our culture. It was not just fun; it was a lesson in appreciating who we are as Nigerians. I hope that when you visit during the holidays, you will be able to attend one of these cultural days with me. Please write back soon and tell me how cultural events are celebrated in your school abroad.
Yours affectionately,
Bola
What Examiners Want to See
- Correct informal letter format – sender’s address, date, greeting, and closing.
- Clear narrative – beginning (preparations), middle (procession, performances, exhibition), and end (awards, reflections).
- Vivid description – traditional attire, dances, foods, decorations.
- Personal involvement – the writer’s role in the Yoruba group.
- Language and tone – friendly, engaging, but grammatically correct.
- Length – 450+ words to show development of ideas.
Tips for Students
- Always plan your story before writing: think of introduction, main events, and conclusion.
- Use descriptive language to paint a picture in the examiner’s mind (e.g., agbada, talking drums, palm fronds).
- Even in informal letters, avoid slang or text message abbreviations. Write in standard English.
- Make your letter sound personal and lively, but keep it neat and structured.
- Don’t forget the closing phrase (“Yours affectionately,” “Yours lovingly,” etc.), as it shows the informal nature.