Carnival In Africa

Africa, like the rest of the world, celebrates Carnival but in a different way!

Cape Verde Islands

Carnival was introduced to the Cape Verde Islands by the Portuguese who settled there bringing with them Catholic festivities and traditions to the uninhabited islands. The pre-Lenten celebration is considered one of most colorful carnivals of Africa and is celebrated in each of the nine inhabited islands of the archipelago. The carnival of Mindelo, in the island of Sao Vicente is considered the most animated, where a number of groups challenge each other for the yearly prize.

The carnival of Cape Verde, especially of Mindelo, have witnessed in recent years considerable influences from Brazilian carnival traditions. The celebration in the neighboring island of Sao Nicolau is considered to be the more traditional, where established groups celebrate the festival parading through the narrow colonial streets of Ribeira Brava, culminating in the picturesque town square.

The Carnival of Sao Nicolau has also suffered interference from Brazilian Carnival, especially with the drums, floats, and costumes. In Sao Nicolau there is a presence of three groups: Copa Cabana, Estrela Azul and Brilho Da Zona. Every group constructs its float in their very own stall using fire, journal papers for the mold, iron and steel to give height and width; they also paint it to bring the floats to life. Carnival Sao Nicolau is celebrated three days: Saturday at dawn, Sunday in the afternoon, and finally Tuesday, the last day before Lent. The group's rehearsals are outdoors, inside the soccer courts. The Carnival Groups of Sao Nicolau are spectacular, as they shine with fabulous costumes and pomp. This Carnival has attracted tourists from world over and is a popular destination of tourism in the island.

Zimbabwe

The Harare international Carnival has been dubbed the biggest street party in southern Africa. Every year late in May the capital city comes to life. Many different countries take part in the festivities. There are events for a few days including fashion and music shows of different  themes. The climax is the street party with brilliant costumes and music.

Nigeria (Calabar Carnival)

Calabar Carnival festival in Nigeria, also tagged " Africa's Biggest Street Party", was created as part of the vision of making the Cross River State in Nigeria, the number one tourist destination for Nigerians and tourist all over the world. The carnival which begin on every 1 December and last till 31 December has boosted the cultural mosaic of Nigeria people while entertaining the millions of spectators within and outside the State, and boosting industry for all stakeholders.

History

The Calabar Carnival has come a long way it all started 2004, when the governor of Cross River State, Mr Donald Duke, had a vision of making his state the hub for tourism and hospitality in Nigeria and in Africa. The Carnival presents a perfect platform from brand visibility for consumer and market awareness. "According to Osima-Dokubo, the carnival aimed to include more aspects of local heritage and culture and at the same time strengthen the capacity of the locals to participate in an economically beneficial way, Recently, Cross River State and Calabar has become the pride of Nigeria or Africa as far as tourism, carnivals and hospitality is concerned.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calabar_Carnival

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnival

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnival#Cape_Verde_Islands

Carnival in Seychelles

The Seychelles carnival has been taking place each year since 2011. It has had many participants every year from all the continents except Antarctica. It is always held in the capital city of Victoria and takes place in the series of 3 days

Day 1: the grand opening held every year in the city center near the clock tower.

Day 2: the parade day. On this day the participants walk and dance around Victoria showing off their talents.

Day 3: the closing ceremony and lottery winning. On this day people join together at freedom square where they can get onto the floats and watch the performances.

Every year there is a group from Brazil, Spain, Italy and Indonesia and every year the number of participants get bigger and so do the number of spectators.

The Seychelles is perhaps best known as a vacation destination; with its pristine blue waters and picture-perfect beaches, it's no wonder the smattering of islands (155 in total) off the coast of Madagascar has for generations wooed Hollywood's top brass.

As it happens, there's more to the island nation than just sun and sea. For four years, it has also played host to the Seychelles International Carnival, an international event which even in its infancy manages to attract over 1,500 participants from across the globe.

The carnival attracts a truly international crowd, with 26 out of the 55 parade floats run by foreign countries. This year, the event attracted Chinese acrobats, Himalayan musicians, gold-plated Indonesian spectators and one American country singer.

"It's called Carnival International, which means the world is coming together," says Alain St. Ainge, the country's minister of tourism and culture.

"Even the United Nations, when they meet, you find politics overtakes the important things of listening to each other. In the Seychelles, people come here and we forget our politics, we forget our religion, forget the color of skin."

Carnival time in Angola

Every year in the three days leading up to Ash Wednesday, a huge carnival is held. Groups on floats wear colourful costumes and amazing headgear and perform dances such as the semba. At the end of the carnival, prizes are awarded for the best costumes and dancers.

Origins of semba / samba

Brazil’s samba music and dance originated from the semba of the Angolan region. The word ‘semba’ comes from the Quimbundo language and can mean to pray or invoke the spirits of ancestors or local Gods.

You might think we’re talking about Brazil, where street carnivals are famous. But actually, the particular annual carnival we’re describing is held in Luanda, the capital of Angola and is believed to date back to around 1857.Carnivals also take place in other cities of Angola.

Slaves were captured from the Angolan region and taken to Brazil between 1600 to 1888. They took their religion, music and dancing with them. That’s how the semba/samba tradition became part of Brazilian life.

As in Brazil, carnival time is taken very seriously in Angola. Carnival groups normally include a king and queen, dancers, musicians and sometimes a nurse dressed in white as a symbol of purity. Everyone else is in colourful costumes and headgear, often in the national colours of red, yellow and black.

Children also compete in the annual Luanda event. Schools are especially keen to win the award of best carnival group, because the prize money helps pay for even bigger and better costumes next year!

Carnival in Nigeria

Calabar Carnival festival in Nigeria, also tagged " Africa's Biggest Street Party", was created as part of the vision of making the Cross River State in Nigeria, the number one tourist destination for Nigerians and tourist all over the world. The carnival which begin on every 1 December and last till 31 December has boosted the cultural mosaic of Nigeria people while entertaining the millions of spectators within and outside the State, and boosting industry for all stakeholders.

History

The Calabar Carnival has come a long way..it all started 2004, when the governor of Cross River State,Mr Donald Duke, had a vision of making his state the hub for tourism and hospitality in Nigeria and in Africa. The Carnival presents a perfect platform from brand visibility for consumer and market awareness. "According to Osima-Dokubo, the carnival aimed to include more aspects of local heritage and culture and at the same time strengthen the capacity of the locals to participate in an economically beneficial way", . Recently, Cross River State and Calabar has become the pride of Nigeria or Africa as far as tourism, carnivals and hospitality is concerned.

Programmes

The programme of the event at the carnival are drafted each year by the committee in charge of tourism and cultural activities and new initiatives are introduced every year. In December 2009, Carnival Committee organized "Carnival Cup 2009", a football competition amongst the five competing carnival bands - Seagull, Passion 4, Masta Blasta, Bayside and Freedom. The Festival which also include music performance from both local and international artists, the annual Calabar Carnival, Boat regatta, Fashion shows, Christmas Village, traditional dances and the annual Ekpe Festival is a yearly events that bring in thousands of tourists at the time of the year.

Other activities lined up for the year according to their work plan, include the second edition of Essay Writing Competition which will involve both secondary school and tertiary students, and this will commence in few weeks. These competitions are aimed at resuscitating the reading culture amongst the youths of the State as well as inculcating the carnival culture.

Participants

The event has hosted top Nigerian musicians, Nollywood Actors, Politicians and international artists. Over the last 4 years international artists like, the late Lucky Dube, Akon, Fat Joe, Young Jeezy, Nelly, Kirk Franklin, and many more has thrilled the large crowd of Nigerians and tourist from outside the country. Due to large crowd and fans that Nigerians artist carries, 2013 Calabar Carnival would focus on Nigerian artist

Impact and Improvement on 2013 edition

2013 Edition of the Carnival Calabar Festival which is themed "Aint no stopping Us" which was unveiled by the Governor of the State Sen. Liyel Imoke of Cross River State says it will hit an all time high level. Please don't miss out of this opportnity. Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, has restated that even though the annual Calabar Festival has been growing bigger every year, the 2013 edition will hit an all time high level. a Nigerian artist rather than a foreign star, would headline this year’s event. This decision was taken following the observation by the Festival Planning Committee that Nigerian headliners consistently pull larger crowds than their international counterparts. This is a huge success and growth to the State. With Tinapa as the backdrop, and supported by Nollywood stars and major corporate sponsors, Governor Imoke made this declaration in a in world press conference in where he invited Nigeria and the rest of the world to Africa’s Biggest Street Party. Governor Imoke declared that the beauty of Nigeria is wholly expressed in the Calabar Festival and the unique brand should be jealously protected and promoted by all. He therefore used the occasion to call on the Federal Government and private sector to invest more in the creative industry, as it holds a lot for the country as regards revenue earnings.

Sources:

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/05/23/travel/forget-rio-carnival-time-seychelles/

http://www.our-africa.org/angola/carnival

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calabar_Carnival

GLOSSARY

The main road where the carnival is celebrated

Ceremony that closes the festivities of the carnival