Every December, the city of Calabar in Nigeria transforms into a vibrant spectacle of music, dance, and costumes, as millions of people celebrate the Calabar Carnival, Africa’s biggest street party. The Calabar Carnival is more than just a fun and colorful event. It is a celebration of Nigeria’s cultural diversity, a platform for social awareness, and a catalyst for economic development. In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about the Calabar Carnival, from its origin and vision to its attractions and activities, to how you can experience it for yourself.
Table of Contents
What is the Calabar Carnival?
The Calabar Carnival was started in 2004 by former governor Donald Duke of Cross River, as a way to promote tourism and improve the local economy. The carnival showcases the rich and diverse heritage of Nigeria and Africa, while also addressing social and environmental issues through its themes and messages. The carnival is part of the broader Calabar Festival, which is a month-long celebration of culture and entertainment that takes place every December (running from December 1 to December 31) in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State.
The Calabar Carnival lasts for five days, from December 26 to December 30, and attracts over two million visitors from within and outside Nigeria. The carnival has an estimated economic impact of over $2 billion and has created thousands of jobs and businesses in the region. The carnival has also gained international recognition and participation, with countries such as Brazil, China, South Africa, Ghana, and more joining the festivities.
The Calabar Carnival has a different theme every year, which reflects the vision and mission of the carnival. The theme guides the design, performance, and message of the carnival, and also serves as a social commentary on the issues and challenges facing Nigeria and Africa. Some of the past themes include “Climate Change”, “Humanity”, and “Migration”.
activities of the Calabar Carnival
The Calabar Carnival features a variety of attractions and activities that cater to different tastes and interests. The festival is carefully planned and organized by the committee in charge of the tourist and cultural activities of the city, who ensure that the carnival reflects the vision and values of Calabar.
Program of the carnival
The festival has four stages, each with its name and theme. These are:
- Millenium Week: This stage kicks off the festival with a grand opening ceremony, followed by a series of events that celebrate the achievements and aspirations of Calabar and Nigeria in the new millennium. Some of the events include the Calabar Marathon, the Calabar Cultural Night, and the Calabar Awards Night.
- Sports Festival: This stage showcases the sporting talents and spirit of Calabar and Nigeria, with various competitions and games that promote fitness and fun. Some of the events include the Calabar Golf Tournament, the Calabar Polo Tournament, and the Calabar Football Tournament.
- TINAPA Family Fun Festival: This stage is dedicated to family entertainment and leisure, with a range of activities and attractions that cater to all ages and interests. Some of the events include the TINAPA Shopping Festival, the TINAPA Movie Festival, and the TINAPA Children’s Carnival.
- Carnival Week: This stage is the climax of the festival, with the most anticipated and spectacular events of the carnival. Some of the events include the Calabar Carnival Queen Pageant, the Calabar Carnival Music Concert, and the Calabar Carnival Band Parade.
The bands and parades of the carnival
The main highlight of the carnival week is the band parade, which is a competition among five bands, each with their own color, theme, and style. The bands are:
- Seagull (Red) This band is known as the most stylish and coordinated band and has won the carnival several times. The band leader is Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, a prominent politician and activist.
- Bayside (Blue): This band is known for its creativity and innovation, and has a large fan base. The band leader is Mr. Donald Duke, former governor of the State.
- Passion 4 (Green): This band is known as the most successful and consistent band, and has also won the carnival several times. The band leader is Barr. Attah Ochinike, the attorney general and commissioner for justice in Cross River State.
- Freedom (Yellow): This band is known for its freedom of expression and diversity, and has a loyal following. The grand patron of the band is Barr. Efiok Cobhams, the Deputy Governor of Cross River State.
- Masta Blasta (Orange): This band is known as the largest and most entertaining band, with a huge membership base. The band leader is Chief Gershom Bassey, a senator and industrialist.
These bands parade through the streets of Calabar, displaying their creativity and talent in front of millions of spectators and judges.
They put up spectacular performances and costumes during the carnival, and also address social and environmental issues through their themes and messages. They are judged based on their costumes, choreography, music, and message, and the winning band receives the most prestigious award for the “Band of the Year”. The band parade takes place on December 27 and 28 and covers a distance of 12 kilometers.
The music and concerts of the carnival
The Calabar Carnival also features music concerts, which showcase some of the best and brightest artists from Nigeria and beyond. The concerts feature a mix of genres, such as Afrobeat, hip-hop, reggae, highlife, and more. The concerts take place at the U.J. Esuene Stadium and attract thousands of fans and celebrities. Some of the past performers include Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Iyanya, and more.
The fashion and beauty of the carnival
The Calabar Carnival also celebrates the fashion and beauty of Nigeria and Africa, with events such as the Calabar Carnival Queen Pageant, the African Fashion Show, and the Carnival King and Queen Competition. The Calabar Carnival Queen Pageant is a contest that crowns the most beautiful and intelligent woman among the contestants, who also serves as an ambassador for the carnival and its theme.
The African Fashion Show is a showcase of the latest and finest designs from African designers, who use the carnival as a platform to promote their brands and products. The Carnival King and Queen Competition is a contest that honors the best male and female costumes among the band members, who also represent the spirit and essence of the carnival.
The culture and tradition of the carnival
The Calabar Carnival also honors the culture and tradition of Nigeria and Africa, with events such as the Boat Regatta, the Traditional Dance Festival, and the Ekpe Festival. The Boat Regatta is a display of the maritime heritage and skills of the people of Cross River, who use boats and canoes to navigate the waterways and rivers of the state.
The Traditional Dance Festival is a showcase of the various dances and rituals of the different ethnic groups and communities in Nigeria and Africa, that use dance as a form of expression and communication. The Ekpe Festival is a celebration of the Ekpe Society, which is a secret and sacred society of the Efik people, who use masks and costumes to perform rites and ceremonies.
experiencing the Calabar Carnival
If you want to experience the Calabar Carnival, here are some tips and advice to help you plan and enjoy your trip.
The best time to visit the Calabar Carnival is from December 26 to December 30, when the carnival is in full swing. However, you can also visit the Calabar Festival, which runs from December 1 to December 31 and offers a variety of events and activities throughout the month.
The best place to stay in Calabar is the Tinapa Resort, which is a world-class leisure and business resort that offers accommodation, entertainment, shopping, and dining options. The resort is also close to the carnival route and the stadium, making it convenient and accessible for visitors.
The best way to book your trip to the Calabar Carnival is through the official Instagram handle of the carnival, which is. The handle provides information on the carnival, the festival, the bands, the events, the tickets, and more. You can also book your flights, hotels, and tours through the website, or through other reputable travel agencies and platforms.
The best tips and advice to enjoy the Calabar Carnival are to dress comfortably and colorfully, to join a band and participate in the parade, explore the city and its attractions, to respect the culture and the people, and to have fun and make memories.
Conclusion
The Calabar Carnival is an amazing event that displays the culture, music, and art of Nigeria and Africa. It is a celebration of the diversity and unity of the people, and a platform for social and economic development. The carnival attracts millions of visitors every year, who enjoy the various attractions and activities that the festival offers. The carnival is a must-see for anyone who wants to witness the beauty and excitement of Africa’s biggest street party. If you are interested in joining the carnival this year, you should keep tabs on their social media handles to stay updated and get ready for a memorable experience.