CARNAVAL DE CALABAR

Throughout the month of December, the city of Calabar comes alive and vibrates to the sound of traditional drums and dances from the region, but also from all over the country in a bustle of colours, paintings, feathers and sequins. Troops from multiple states of Nigeria parade for the occasion, on a route of nearly 12 kilometers through the city animated by traditional songs and - modernity obliges - by the last DJs in sight. Each band will have its own colours, costume and make-up, giving an incredible richness to what is known as "the biggest street festival in Africa".

More and more, carnival troupes from other countries are joining the parades (25 nationalities marched in 2018, including Ukraine, Rwanda, Croatia, Indonesia and Mexico), while associations such as the famous biker parade and their spectacular figures animate the route: the festival has welcomed over 2 million people in recent editions.

Since 2014 and on the model of the Rio Carnival, an official thematic competition (Africanism, migration, climate change...) has been organised between the city's 5 dance schools, each with their own colours, dancers and kings and queens: Masta Blasta (which would have 10,000 members!) Bayside, Freedom (Created in 2005 and still on the podium today) Seagull (also created in 2005 and emphasizing the technicality of its dances) and Passion 4 (which has won the trophy six times!). The cup and the various prizes are awarded at the end of the course, which ends at the city's U.J. Usuene stadium.

Carnival was in fact born not long ago of a political will to make Cross River State Nigeria's number one tourist destination. It was under the leadership of the previous Governor, Donald Duke, that the initiative began in 2004. Today, the entire month is full of festivities, taking advantage of the city's tourist crowds: football and golf tournaments, beauty contests, boat races, food-fair and many concerts and dance performances by renowned Nigerian artists. The Ekpe Festival also takes place at the same time, while a fireworks display celebrates December 31.

And while some may say that the event has lost some of its vigour in recent years, with disorganized parades and a shrinking budget, there is still a fascinating opportunity to visit the city while enjoying superb dances and the expression of the country's incredible cultural wealth.