ABUJA ART AND CULTURAL CARNIVAL 2009

The colourful and rich display of various Nigerian and some African countries’ cultures heralded the Abuja carnival 2009 which was organized by the Nigerian Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Every year, all the 36 states of Nigeria and the federal capital with invited guest African countries like Cameroun, Ghana, Ethiopia, Egypt etc, gathers in Abuja for the showcase of their various cultures, and traditions.

This year’s event which last from Saturday November 21^st to Tuesday November 24th 2009 started with a carnival train from Garki to Eagle Square in the federal capital where the opening ceremony took place. It was all about rhythm and dance, cultures and traditions displayed in music and, art and craft form. 

It was an opportunity to escape from the current cloudy political and economic weather of the country. People took the advantage of the opening ceremony fixed at the weekend to troop out in large numbers with their families and friends to savour the rich and energetic display of the Atiliogwu and Ejionu dance of the Igbos of the eastern Nigeria, the Eyo masquerade from the west, the Fulani warrior dance from the north; showing the beauty of their men and the elegantly handsome women, the pottery and dance display of the Nasarawa people of the middlebelt and the Niger Deltans flamboyant dance.

 The royalty of the tribes can be seen from the costumes of the Edos’ to the wonderful royal regalia of the Hausas which were displayed during the Durbar show (the horses too were very well given a royal garment for the wonderful and colourful occasion). From the nkwa umu agbowo and ekombi (the dance of the maidens) with their anklets and beautiful jigida adorned waist (wriggling endlessly to the rhythm of the land) to the mba mmiri dance of the Calabaries. The enyatu (dance of authority) cultural dance vibrated to the rhythm emanating from their 80 years old ekwe; wooden gong.

The women are beauty inexplicable; from the richly oiled hair style decorated with royal beads to the healthy looking and well polished ebony skin radiating in the sun, responding tirelessly to the vibrations of the sound; the sounds of our beginning. The onyonyo (women in the palace on their ceremonial attire) dance from Calabar was an elegance to behold.

The unique thing about this event is the unity of purpose and blend of so many culture and traditions in a single group outing. The masquerade displayed was breathtaking. It was a parade of the soul of the belief and ancestral life of the people. Each masquerade, dance steps and the music has a story that goes back to ancient times (each masquerade is perceived as an ancestral spirit).

The Society of Nigerian Artists Abuja chapter mounted an art exhibition at the art and craft village as a nutmeg to chew to kolanut of this great event. It was a display of art works from predominantly young artists of the association.

The boat Rigata was another display by various riverine communities.  It was a showcase of the professionalism and skills of the fishermen and warriors of the communities. They paddle their boats round and round a circle dancing and singing the songs of their hearts. The warriors dance with their boats sailing away, piercing the air with their wooden spears, while the women among them paddle along the men in different boat, singing and dancing.

The masquerades represent the god of the river as evident in the carved aquatic animals on their heads; fish, crab, etc. it was beautiful and energetic, it was spiritual and intoxicating.