By Frank Ulom
CONVERSEER brings you LIVE and exclusive photos from the 2023 Carnival Calabar, Africa’s biggest street party.
The theme of this year’s carnival is “Season of Sweetness” and the event was flagged off by the Governor of Cross River, Senator Bassey Otu on Thursday 28 December 2023 at the Millennium Park.
Just like every other year, the parade will take over the 12km carnival route; from Millennium Park (Eleven-Eleven) to Calabar Road by Total through Mary Slessor to Marry Slessor roundabout, and then to Rabana, through Marian to Efio-Ette and MCC to Mobil through the Murtala Mohammed Highway to the UJ Esuene – with different bands showcasing their skills for the ultimate prize.
Before you check out the photos below, let’s briefly look at the history of Carnival Calabar.
It was started in 2004 by former Governor Donald Duke with just two competitive bands; Bayside and Passion 4. In 2005, three competitive bands joined; Seagull, Masta Blasta and Freedom Bands, taking the number to five.
On the 16th of October 2022, two more competitive bands were introduced by former Governor Ben Ayade during the first dry run, taking the tally to seven. The two new competitive bands are the Calas Vegas and Diamond Bands.
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At the end of the parade, the band with the most performance as adjudged by pundits will cart away the ultimate prize. Other consolidated prizes will also be given to second and third places, respectively.
Below are LIVE photos from the 2023 Carnival Calabar:
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