Christmas revellers descended on Nigeria’s southern port city of Calabar this weekend for its festive carnival dubbed “Africa’s biggest street party”, the Calabar carnival.
A month of celebrations in December draws many partygoers to Calabar, the capital of Cross River State and home to many Christian communities. The organisers say up to two million people attend.
At least 14 bands have reportedly taken part in performances and competitions this year.
Most of the Calabar carnival goers danced to Afrobeats hits, blaring from giant speakers.
The Calabar carnival is marking two decades since it was started. “We are seeing different designs, different costumes,” attendee Grace Job said. “The energy is so much.”
The carnival draws a wide variety of people to the streets. The troupe pictured below is from the University of Calabar – with costumes printed with the institution’s logo.
Some of the costumes referenced the city’s links to the Atlantic slave trade. The one below depicts manillas – the brass bracelets introduced as a form of currency by Portuguese traders and used from the 16th to the 19th Centuries.
“Everyone is trying to showcase the tradition and the culture,” 25-year-old dancer and civil engineering undergraduate Rejoice Elemi told AFP
At a stadium in Calabar on Friday night Nigerian music stars Runtown and Iyanya performed at a carnival concert. Calas Vegas went on to won the coveted title of best carnival band – for the second year running.
Cross River State sees the Calabar carnival – now Nigeria’s biggest – as a way to draw visitors not just from across Nigeria – but also those from the diaspora.
