Calabar Carnival vs Carnival Calabar: Wetin E Be?

My people, make I drop correct gist wey go blow your mind today. Na about this Calabar Carnival matter wey don dey bamboozle people. I go clear am well well make you sabi wetin dey happen.

So, one big man for culture and arts, Offiong Bassey, don talk say make we no dey confuse Carnival Calabar with the real Calabar Carnival. You fit ask, wetin be the difference? No worry, I go break am down for you.

Bassey yarn am well on top Tuesday for Calabar. Na him explain say Carnival Calabar na the modern one wey dem start for 2004 under Donald Duke administration. Dem design am to promote tourism and shine the state for international eyes. Na imported style wey follow wetin dem dey do for Caribbean, Brazil, and Europe. But make I clear una, na no be the same with the traditional one wey don dey happen since time.

Calabar Carnival dey rooted for our indigenous performance traditions, and e no be small thing. This one dey focus on masquerades, communal storytelling, dance, and all that juicy culture wey dey make our people proud. Bassey talk say this one, “Nkot Mbok,” wey just happen, na the kind performance wey come from that tradition! Abeg, no mix am with the modern groove.

Bassey dey vex say people dey mix the two, na there the wahala dey start. Na like saying you dey blend jollof with fried rice without respecting their original taste. So, wetin go happen now? E suggest say make both parties come together to make the matter better. The Cultural Centre go dey ensure say authenticity dey reign while Carnival Commission go handle di commercial side and global visibility. Imagine wetin go happen if we fit shine both side!

Peh, we go dey lookout say this collaboration go fit boost Cross River tourism well well. If dem fit blend these two styles, e go make sense plus all di visitors wey dey come obodo Calabar. E go help preserve our traditions while still dey welcome the new flavor to make both sides shine.

So, my people, make we no forget say our culture na our pride. If you go Calabar, make you sabi wetin you dey watch; the rich history wey di Calabar people don carry since centuries, and the modern vibes wey Carnival Calabar dey bring. Na double the enjoyment, no be small!