MEDIA CENTER

“With Orange Carnival…Akwa Ibom is out to make yet another entry into Wikipedia and Guinness Book of World Records”- Nelson NseAbasi-Orange Carnival Progenitor

Nelson NseAbasi

For close watchers and followers of the popular ORANGE CARNIVAL event held every September 23rd to celebrate the creation of Akwa Ibom State, some activities might begin to become boring this 3rd edition, having repeated itself in the carnival since inception.

As Akwa Ibom turns 25 this year, the 2012 edition of ORANGE CARNIVAL is expected to be spectacular, and this might have caused many to ask questions from different quarters….???

Why Orange Carnival for Akwa Ibom?

Gov. Godswill Akpabio

September 23 is the day Akwa Ibom State was created; Orange Carnival celebrates freedom, and expression of joy, an extra reason being the transformation process of leaders that have ruled the state.

Why Orange Carnival? ...It is all about celebration, using Orange for its theme, being Akwa Ibom State’s official color. Akwa Ibom people are Christians, and Carnival forms an integral part of the Christian calendar, particularly in Catholic regions, some carnival traditions may date back to pre-Christian times. The ancient Roman festivals of Saturnalia and Bacchanalia may possibly have been absorbed into the Italian Carnival. Carnival celebrations have been in decline since the 1960s.

Carnivals are most popular in the Caribean Islands, the largest and most well-known celebration is held in Trinidad and Tobago. The costumes, dances and pageantry grew with each passing year, with the participants donning costumes from the cultural and ethnic variety on the island. After Fidel Castro's Communist Revolution, Carnival's religious overture was suppressed. The events remained, albeit and frowned upon by the state.

Types of Costumes & Messages

Costumes pass messages that stick to the mind. The cultural heritage of different tribes will be showcased through the costume designs.

The costumes worn will also be related to a profession- e.g. – groups dressed in attires related to professions like Doctors, Lawyers, and/or Engineers. Costumes can also relate with recent news, e.g. - the bird flu epidemic (dressed as chickens). The feeling of this Carnival is the sharp criticism, the funny play on words and the imagination in the costumes, more than the glamorous dressings. Even though masks will be readily available, it is traditional to paint faces.

WHAT MAKES THE 3RD EDITION OF ORANGE CARNIVAL THICK???

(1)   Orange Collection Costumes by Garneti- A special anniversary clothing collection by Garneti Exhibit- A world class brand of fashion accessories and exclusive costume design outfit, with base in Akwa Ibom

(2)   Orange Caricature- caricaturizing popular figures, past leaders of the state since creation, and top Nigerian celebrities that hail from Akwa Ibom

(3)   Orange Campaign-Free Oranges will be shared to participants and viewers, of course for the need of Citrus and Vitamin C in Oranges during the carnival float is very important

(4)   Orange Paintings-The story of Akwa Ibom will be depicted in paintings by new world discoveries Uwana Ubeng & Kelly Oure

(5)   Orange Music- Production of Akwa Ibom Silver Jubilee Album with 25 indigenous hit songs

More to be announced soon…