The Calabar Festival is an annual cultural event that takes place in the city of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. The festival draws tourists from all over the world and showcases the rich cultural heritage of the people of Cross River State.
Origin:
The festival was first held in 2004 as part of efforts to promote tourism and showcase the diverse culture of Cross River State. Since then, it has grown into a major event that attracts thousands of visitors every year.
Cultural Orientation:
The Calabar Festival features various events such as music concerts, fashion shows, street parties, and cultural displays. One notable aspect of the festival is its focus on showcasing traditional dances from different ethnic groups within Cross River State.
The Efik tribe who are indigenous to Calabar play a significant role in the festival through their display at various stages like dance performances by Obong Ukpong Udo Ekpo (the highest ranking monarch) which is always a spectacular sight to behold; also other tribes come together with their masquerades & costumes during these celebrations too reflecting changing realities emerging ahead us all around today!
Another important aspect of the festival is food. The local cuisine featuring dishes like Afang soup,Mbakara,Ekpang Nkukwo among others are displayed for tourists to taste while enjoying themselves amidst fun-filled activities geared towards promoting social interaction between participants involved therein thereof creating opportunities for unity cohesiveness across entire value chain actors involved therein thereof resulting greater efficiency productivity growth development agendas aimed bringing prosperity one step closer than ever before possible otherwise achieved under same circumstances prevailing earlier upon which interventions need be done differently now reflecting new realities emerging ahead us all around today!
In conclusion,the Calabar Festival offers a unique opportunity for visitors to experience Nigerian culture firsthand while having fun at the same time! It provides a platform for showcasing our rich cultural heritage whilst providing economic benefits both locally and globally alike too reflected by rising popularity among masses over time period considered herein thereof resulting greater efficiency productivity across entire value chain actors involved therein thereof creating wealth generation opportunities while promoting growth development agendas aimed bringing prosperity one step closer than ever before possible otherwise achieved under same circumstances prevailing earlier upon which interventions need be done differently now reflecting new realities emerging ahead us all around today!