The streets of Calabar erupted in colour, rhythm and excitement on Saturday as the 20th edition of the Carnival Calabar officially began with a grand cultural procession at Millennium Park, setting the tone for another memorable celebration of heritage and unity.
From early hours, representatives of the 18 local government areas of Cross River State converged on the park, proudly displaying dances, costumes and symbols that reflected the depth and diversity of the state’s cultural roots. As the parade rolled out, the Cross River capital transformed into a moving gallery of tradition, music and national pride, according to NAN reports.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, organiser of the AKWAABA African Travel and Tourism Market, Ikechi Uko, explained that the opening ceremony was intentionally structured to emphasise the state’s traditional identity.
“Many confuse tradition with culture but they are not the same,” Uko said. “Tradition is the living practice; culture is the broader identity.”
He noted that the cultural procession that marked the official take-off of the carnival represented inherited traditions passed down through generations, while the street carnival slated for December 29 reflects modern creativity.
“The carnival is showcasing the culture of the people but the cultural carnival today is the traditional carnival,” he explained. “This is the one they got from their parents. The one you’re going to see on the 29th is the one they created for themselves.”
Uko dismissed suggestions that the festival diminishes local heritage, stressing instead that Carnival Calabar has evolved into a platform for contemporary cultural expression.
“The street parade is a cosmopolitan festival. It’s where people create and express their own identity,” he said.
The procession moved from Millennium Park through Marian Road to the Rabanna Roundabout, where various groups took turns to present their history and traditions before guests, dignitaries and government officials.
The atmosphere along the route was electrifying. Thousands of spectators lined the streets, turning the event into a family-friendly outing. Children danced freely, parents watched closely, and traders briskly sold snacks and street food as music blared from public address systems and dancers thrilled the crowd.
One of the standout moments came from the Ikom Local Government Area contingent, led by its chairman, Mrs Mercy Nsor, whose group drew loud applause for its energetic performance.
Adding to the national flavour, cultural troupes from states including Delta, Edo, Kebbi, Katsina, Rivers, Ebonyi, Niger, Nasarawa and Osun joined the parade, showcasing Nigeria’s rich diversity through food, music, dance and colourful attire.
As dusk fell, the cultural procession concluded around 8:00 p.m., after which participants moved from Rabanna Roundabout to the U.J. Esuene Stadium for the final event of the day, bringing the opening ceremony of Carnival Calabar’s 20th anniversary to a vibrant close
