Cultural troupes flood Calabar streets as carnival opens

The streets of Calabar, the Cross River State capital, were transformed into a spectacle of rhythm, colour and national pride on Saturday as the 2025 Carnival Calabar officially kicked off with a vibrant cultural procession.

The opening ceremony, which took place at Millennium Park, featured colourful displays by cultural troupes representing the state’s 18 local government areas, marking the beginning of activities for the carnival’s 20th edition.

Thousands of residents, tourists and visitors lined the streets as the procession moved through Marian Road to the Rabanna Roundabout, where participating groups showcased their unique traditions, history and artistic expressions before guests, dignitaries and public officials.

Speaking on the significance of the event, Ikechi Uko, organiser of the AKWAABA African Travel and Tourism Market, said the carnival was deliberately designed to highlight the rich cultural diversity of Cross River State.

“Many people confuse tradition with culture, but they are not the same. Tradition is the living practice; culture is the broader identity,” Uko said.

He explained that the cultural procession that flagged off the carnival represented the traditional aspect inherited from previous generations, while the street carnival scheduled for December 29 reflects contemporary creativity.

“The cultural carnival today is the traditional carnival, the one handed down by our parents.”

“The street carnival you will see on the 29th is the one people have created for themselves,” he added.

Uko dismissed claims that the carnival erodes the heritage of the people, insisting that it instead celebrates both inherited traditions and modern expressions of identity.

“The carnival is showcasing the culture of the people today.”

“The street parade is cosmopolitan, it’s a platform where people create and express who they are,” he said.

The atmosphere across the city was electrifying, with mammoth crowds lining the route.

The event doubled as a family outing, with children dancing freely while parents tried to keep them in check.

Traders hawked snacks and street food, public address systems blared music, and dancers thrilled spectators with energetic performances.

One of the highlights of the procession was the contingent from Ikom Local Government Area, led by its chairman, Mrs Mercy Nsor, whose group drew loud applause for its elaborate costumes and choreography.

Groups from other states, including Delta, Edo, Kebbi, Katsina, Rivers, Ebonyi, Niger, Nasarawa and Osun, also joined the procession, adding to the national flavour of the event. The visiting troupes showcased their cultures through music, dance, food and colourful attire.

As the sun set, the procession concluded at about 8:00 p.m., after which participants moved from Rabanna Roundabout to the U.J. Esuene Stadium for the final activities of the day.

Carnival Calabar, widely regarded as Africa’s biggest street party, continues in the coming days with a mix of cultural, musical and street carnival events expected to attract thousands of tourists from across Nigeria and beyond.

Very Nigerian.

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