SLC-S25/W2 | Community World Tour: Festivals & Celebrations"

Welcome to week 2 community world Tour: festival & celebrations , I would be taking you all to Akwaibom state here in Nigeria. When you hear of this city what comes to your mind if I'm not mistaken is their beautiful road network, hospitality, culture and food, they are peaceful set of people in the whole Nigeria,but when they are provoked they can be deadly. Let me share one of their festivals with you.

prossecion of the elders

I'm celebrating cultural festival of the good people of Ika Loca government in Akwaibom state Nigeria .

Ika is located in the Annang part of Akwaibom sharing boundaries with the Igbos , they were formerly joined with Abak local government Ika is known for their rich culture which includes their dressing, food and dance. This culture is done to unite the people, and it's done once in a year, according to my father- in-law there are rituals done by the elders and those that believe in forefathers traditions. This time they thank the gods for protection and peaceful stay, while the masquerade parade themselves to entertain the villagers and visitors. The main traditional food prepared during this celebration is

• Cooked Cassava with coconut or fish
• Ekpang-nkukwo
• Porridge plantain
• Afang soup
• Coconut rice
  And lot more .

I didn't grow up in this village, it was marriage that brought me and I have witnessed the celebration when I traveled to the village with my husband and children . It was a beautiful celebration to behold. I enjoyed and tested almost all the native food that was prepared because we were visiting uncles and aunties.

This celebration is very unique compared to what I know in my village, the dress code of the elders,the women and the dancers made the occasion very outstanding. When you see the masquerades in their different costumes you will know that it's not a day to play with them even when you know the people behind the mask, They have about three sets of masquerade which represents different beliefs.

This celebration bring visitors from far and near, adding to economy of the state. It also promote the culture of Akwaibom at large. My feeling during this time is more of excitement because I take everything as entertainment period and nothing much attached unlike other people.

Abiaokpo the tallest masquerade

This masquerade represents the ancestral spirit , when it comes out with its height it attracts attention. The Ika people believe that this masquerade showcases the spirit of the dead entertaining the living with how the spiritual realms looks like hahahaha. Funny right?

Before any one can belong to the masquerade group particularly the boys or men it takes some initiation from the native doctor's who believes in what the masquerade stands for , therefore it's not meant for everyone who enjoys the masquerade display unless you are properly initiated.

the white masquerade

This particular masquerade is common among the Ika people, you can easily see them in traditional marriages, burials of chiefs or government officials who believes in tradition, they are harmless. They often come around during *Ntuak Ñdʌk) known as Ika New year celebration.

the women of Ika local government

These are wonderful women of Ika during the celebration they are the ones to present the native foods to the visitors lead by their leader called (obong Awang)

the drummers

The celebration is not complete without the drummers. They handles the drums and play to invoke the masquerade spirit. Aside the masquerade the sound of the drums awakens the spirit of the occasion.

The "TYPE LESS SMILE MORE" gesture

Eti ufaan afön akan idiök ayîn-eka:

meaning Good friend is better than wicked brother. This Proverbs is commonly used during this festival because of good friends from other places who came to witness the celebration.

Untill next week . I'm inviting @dove11 @josepha @ann28