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Abuja Carnival - A Celebration of Nigerian CultureAbuja Carnival - A Celebration of Nigerian Culture
Daily Champion
Obinna Nzei
29 Nov. 2007
Obinna Nzei Captures the mood and essence of the cultural carnival held in Abuja recently.
The sun was blazing down like harmattan fire on the people who came to watch or participate in the carnival. But it does not matter to many of them as long as they are able to fully observe the event of the day.
The occassion was the celebration pf Nigerian culture in a carnival manner,at least to show the world that not only Brazil can showcase a culture that has rich content and historical background.
It was a day all kinds of cultural troupes and traditional regalias pervaded the Eagle Square Abuja,, over looking the nation's seat of power popularly called: the Three Arms Zone. From the Eagles Square , you will take a clear view of the National Assembly complex, the Supreme Court and the Aso Rock villa.
The 4-day fiesta which opened on Thursday November 22, 2007 and closed on November 24, was an event that will remain indelible in the minds of those who came to watch Nigerian culture at its natural form, even though it was being staged at a place far removed from the traditional setting.
From 8.30am, the participating states (not all the states were represented) and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), had lined up on one lane of the Shehu Shagari way which stretched from the police headquarters down to the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, cutting across the secretariat complex, Eagle Square, part of Millennium Park, Federal High Court Building etc.
Indeed, some of the routes leading to the Eagle Square , the venue of the carnival were closed to traffic, to ease movement. Taking the rear of the procession at the back gate of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, was the contingent from the FCT, made up of groups from different parts of the country to portray the fact that Abuja is a land of unity.
At the front and first to enter the arena at 11.55am, was a well decorated truck which carried beautifully costumed kids waving flags and singing the theme song of the carnival as if their next meal depended on how well the song was rendered.It was a delight to listen to the songs of those little kids whose Daily Champion gathered were aged between 6-10 years, and drawn from different parts of the country.
Following them closely, was the Oyo state contingent, led by wonderfully constructed big tortoise hung on the motorcade. They had different cultural groups which were drown from local government areas of the state.
A magical show was being displayed by a masquerade group in Oyo contingent, which kept everybody wondering about what was regarded as "juju power." The masquerade was being "inflicted" with open fire emanating from a burning bundle of dried grass but the flame of the burning fire could not do any thing to the inflammable costume of the masquerade. It was a terrifying sight.
On the heels of Oyo, was the Benue contingent made up of long procession of old and young men and women. As expected, the cultural dancing troupe which the Tivs are known for, was there with their familiar attire and swinging dancing steps.
Next was the contingent from Yobe state, with hundreds of horses and camels, well decorated as if the occasion was a marriage ceremony which a king was attending. It was a display which vividly, made a statement about the culture of Yobe people. The king and his queen mounted the two most decorated and biggest horses and were being fanned by their courtiers.
Plateau state came next with very long procession of men and women from different local government of the state. The most popular group being the Jarawa dancing group which is fast becoming the cultural identity of the state.
Costumed in white little beads, all men, with fentes in their mouth, and blown in consonance with the rhythm of the drums, danced in a style only peculiar to them. Indeed, it was a delight to watch them.
The next group after Plateau, was the Jigawa contingent. They came with their best traditional groups which showed that the state was not a push over in terms of tradition and culture. As they sang and hit their drums ferociously, their people from the stands were cheering them.
It was the turn of Anambra contingents. As expected, they came with the popular masquerade, regarded as the biggest any where in the world, the Ijere masquerade. The masquerade is unique not only in size but the artistry that went into its costumes and rich overview.In Igbo land, it is said that when Ijere masquerade appears on the arena, other little masquerade take their flight. Such is the reverence.
Also in attendance, was the popular Egedede maiden group from Umubi, in Anambra. Other gaily dressed men and women complimented the uniqueness of Anambra contingents.
Following Anambra was a contingent from Ghana. They came in a decorated truck, with few men and women dancing a recorded highlife music of Sam Kofi, a popular musician from Ghana . They had no cultural troupe at the opening ceremony.
Next was the Niger State contingent with a well decorated truck, with an inscription "Talban Minna." They also had a long procession.
One of the most colourful contingents was from Nasarawa state. It was clear that they may have committed a lot of time and resources to prepare themselves. They wanted to show that they have a rich culture.
A truck that was designed like a horse, led the way, with a king sitting on top. This is said to be the culture of "Igua tribe" in Nasarawa state. The contingent, with various dancing groups, was long but very exciting to watch.
Bayelsa state also presented a colourful contingent which showcased the culture of the riverline people. They also had a long carnival contingent, with canoe pads, and women with handkerchief.
Delta and River state contingents were also very colourful. Their traditional attire, made up of "George Wrappers" for Deltans of riverine areas and the traditional velvet wrapper for River state people,added to the hats and walking sticks tied with white handkerchiefs. The blending colour was breath-taking, as they displayed how to paddle their canoe.
One of the best contingent, came from Ebonyi state. They had a long truck, well decorated, filled with their agricultural products like rice, palm oil and salt.
Called "the salt of the nation," Ebonyi contingent also comprised drama group which showed the ugly side of slavery in those days. A group of three men and two women, were in prison uniform, chained together, with guards who tormented them. It was a sorry sight but the import of such drama sketch was not lost.
Enugu state contingent had five different cultural groups from local government areas of the state. The coal city contingent was particularly outstanding with their masquerade groups from Ngwo in Udi local government area and Imezi Owa, also from Udi. The Ikorodo maiden group from Nsukka area was very much admired due to their peculiar style of dancing which involves twisting their body from head to toe, especially their waist, adorned with local beads called "Jigida.It is a popular group which had travelled to different parts of the country and outside the country, winning prizes at some of the competitions.
Edo, Adamawa, Zamfara, Kogi, Cross River and Kaduna , equally came with very colourful contingents which showcased their peculiar cultures. For example, Cross River had their globally acclaimed team comprised of young beautiful girls attired with costume peculiar only to their culture.
Adamawa came with satar and Kouma people who had their bodies bare, to show their tradition and culture. They also came with long truck, beautifully decorated like others.
Abia came with their well-known war dance which depicts their historical warrior nature. Apart from their typical war group, they have other cultural groups from other local government areas.
After the cultural contingent from Abuja with their long procession and different displays, showing them as a mix-bag of culture, Taraba state brought the rear, after Niger Republic .
The first day was generally a successful display of what the rest of the days held in stock. Each state, with their contingent, danced past the state box where the Vice President, who represented President Umaru Yar'Adua,performed the opening ceremony, with the minister of culture and national orientation and other important dignitaries in attendance
The second day was set aside for masquerade competition. At the appearance were all manner of masquerades displaying what made them tick. It was a day at which fearful masquerades jolted spectators with dangerous movements.
Saturday, November 24th, was a day set aside for dancing groups to showcase their peculiar dancing styles in order to cart away the priced trophy.Other features of the fourth day were arts and craft exhibition, local cuisines display, lectures, dubar and other special events. It was a happy time for Abuja residents and few foreign tourists who came to watch, and take photographs.
Unlike the previous events, not many people were aware of the 2007 show and this probably accounted for the scanty crowd which watched the opening ceremony and subsequent events.
Copyright © 2007 Daily Champion
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