Why Orange Carnival for Akwa Ibom?

Children at the carnival last year

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?

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.

                                                                     

Carnivals in Nigeria

Abuja Carnival-The Abuja Carnival is best described as a UNITY CARNIVAL, where all States of the Federation meet at the Federal Capital Territory to showcase their rich cultural heritage. Last year, the Akwa Ibom delegation won the coveted price for the best State on display.

Calabar Carnival- Calabar Festival or Carnival Calabar, whatever name you are familiar with, all these are nomenclatures of Africa’s Biggest Street Party held annually, continually for 8 years in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State.

Lagos Carnival- According to the official website, Lagos State “has a long history of holding carnivals, particularly on Lagos Island, as a result of historical links with the returnees and their descendants from Brazil, West Indies and Sierra Leone in the late 19th century. Lagos is Africa’s social hub; Eyo Festival is the biggest cultural festival. However, Carnivals died off until the emergence of Governor B.R Fashola, and with Lagos Carnival, Eko o ni baje o!

Rivers State- CarniRiv is another big event in the South of Nigeria; the Riverian people have an enviable culture and history that has placed them on an enviable pedestal in the comity of state in Nigeria.

Akwa Ibom- There have been a few carnivals in Akwa Ibom, outstanding amongst them are Green & White Independence Carnival, and the Cultural Carnival. The most spectacular Carnival in Akwa Ibom is ORANGE CARNIVAL. 

WATCH OUT