Nigerians celebrate the Calabar Carnival by taking to the streets

Christmas revellers flocked to Nigeria’s southern port city of Calabar this weekend for its festive carnival, known as “Africa’s biggest street party.” The glitzy parade featured floats and dancers from many of Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups. A month of celebrations in December attracts many partygoers to Calabar, the capital of Cross River state and home to numerous Christian communities. Organizers estimate that up to two million people attend, according to AFP. This year, at least 14 bands participated in performances and competitions. Most carnival goers danced to Afrobeats hits blaring from giant speakers. The carnival marks two decades since its inception.

“We are seeing different designs, different costumes,” attendee Grace Job told AFP. “The energy is so much.” The event 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 costumes referenced the city’s links to the Atlantic slave trade. One costume depicted manillas, the brass bracelets used as currency by Portuguese traders from the 16th to the 19th centuries. Another costume depicted a giant British West Africa penny from the reign of UK monarch George VI, harking back to colonial times. Nigeria gained independence from Britain in 1960.

“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. The Calas Vegas troupe won the coveted title of best carnival band for the second consecutive year.

Cross River State sees the carnival, now Nigeria’s biggest, as a way to attract visitors not only from across Nigeria but also from the diaspora.