An article written by Miss Divine Etimbuk, Department of
Mass Communication
Veritas University.
The C in December is for Calabar Carnival.
Decembers in Nigeria are very festive and active, not because Christmas is accompanied by the ever nostalgic month.
December marks the beginning of the annual Calabar Carnival held in Cross River State, Nigeria.
The Calabar Carnival is probably one of the most anticipated events of the year in Nigeria. Known as the largest street party in the country. it is a festival that celebrates the uniqueness in cultural diversity of the people of Cross River state.
The carnival held for the first time in 2004, was organized by the then Governor of Cross River State, Dr Donald Duke.
In an interview with The Life Magazine, Governor Duke said that the canival was his wife’s idea.
“It was an attempt to boost the states popularity. But it has become a continent wide sensation since then”,Duke said.
Image from the Calabar carnival
The Calarbar Carnival are outlined to be carried out in weeks.
The first week is the Millennium
week, which spans from December 1-10, while the second is the sports week, which holds from December 12-17.
The highly anticipated TINAPA Family Festival, holds in December 19-24, and finally, the canival week which is held from December 25-31.
Annually, Calabar Carnival attracts tourists from all over the world, contributing massively to Nigeria’s revenue from tourism.
The attendance in 2023 was about two million people physically, and 50 million connected virtually via satellite aids.
Different cultural groups from Calabar, Enugu, Edo, Rivers, Ekiti, Akwa lbom, Ondo, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Kwara and other states outside Nigeria participate in the canival.
Each group showcases their culture in lively costumes, acrobatic displays, dance and music.
Several music bands also compete yearly for fame and prizes in the carnival.
Some of the bands are Seagull, Mastablasta, the Calasvegas, Freedom and
Passion 4 band.
In 2023, Calasvegas band triumphantly took home the crown.
Over the years, many notable personalities have flattered the event’s attendance. Kirk
Franklin, and Lucky Dube were present in 2016.
In 2023, famous Nigerian Nollywood stars were present to grace the event, with so much radiant.
Nollywood atress, Destiny Etiko at the 2023 Calabar carnival
The Calabar carnival never fails to be entertaining, even busy men clear up their schedules to be present at the annual festival.
With the theme, ” _Season of Sweetness_ “, activities for the 2023 Calabar carnival kickstarted in October 15.
You might have missed the previous Calabar carnivals, do you really want to miss the next?
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