Shaking and shaking at ‘Africa’s biggest party’

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Shaking and shaking at ‘Africa’s biggest party’

Olympia De Maismont / AFP Nigerian dancers in silver tops and orange pom pom skirts cross the street at a celebration in Calabar

Christmas revelers flocked to Nigeria’s southern port city of Calabar this weekend to celebrate what is being billed as “Africa’s biggest street party”.

Emmanuel Adegboye / EPA A woman participating in a celebration in Calabar smiles as she wears a large red headdress with feathers

The glitzy parade had floats and dancers from many different Nigerian tribes participating.

Olympia De Maismont / AFP A woman wearing a silver carnival skirt and waistcoat helps a matchmaker put on her golden boots - Calabar, Nigeria

The month of celebrations in December draws many partygoers to Calabar, the capital of Cross River state and home to many Christian communities. Organizers say two million people are coming, AFP news agency reported.

Olympia De Maismont / AFP A group of men participating in the Calabar Carnival pose for a photo wearing black pants, black belts and sunglasses. Their chests are bare and covered with a golden glow. Some wear black ties.

At least 14 teams are reported to have participated in games and tournaments this year.

Olympia De Maismont / AFP A group of men wearing white clothes and large black hats with trumpeting brims look down a street in Calabar, Nigeria

Most of the carnival goers danced to Afrobeats hits, blaring through the loud speakers.

Olympia De Maismont / AFP Women in silver dresses and straw hats with golden manes and chains dangle from their smiles as they pose for the camera in Calabar, Nigeria.

The carnival is celebrating twenty years since its inception. “We see different designs, different costumes,” attendee Grace Job told AFP. “A lot of energy.”

Emmanuel Adegboye / EPA Four women wearing sequin dresses and purple feathered headdresses attached to manilla like horns at the Calabar festival smile at the camera.

The carnival draws many people to the streets. The team pictured below is from the University of Calabar – wearing uniforms printed with the institution’s logo.

Some of the clothing pointed to the city’s links to the Atlantic slave trade. The one below shows manillas – copper rings introduced as currency by Portuguese traders and used from the 16th to the 19th century.

Emmanuel Adegboye / EPA A man wearing a gold sequin costume with a large manilla behind him holding up golden wings takes part in a festival in Calabar, Nigeria

This woman’s dress is reminiscent of colonial times and is worn like a large British penny in West Africa from the reign of the UK’s King George VI. Nigeria gained independence from Britain in 1960.

Olympia De Maismont / AFP A woman wearing a giant 1937 British West Africa pennant walks down a street in Calabar, Nigeria

Olympia De Maismont / AFP A woman wearing a large straw hat and a hat off the shoulder holds a pink electric fan as she takes part in a festival in Calabar, Nigeria

“Everyone is trying to show culture and traditions,” 25-year-old dancer and civil engineering graduate Rejoice Elemi told AFP.

Emmanuel Adegboye / EPA Parade spectators look at the legs of the players wearing gold and pink and orange boots

At the stadium in Calabar on Friday night Nigerian music stars Runtown and Iyanya performed at a carnival concert. Calas Vegas went on to win the coveted title of best carnival band – for the second year running.

Olympia De Maismont / AFP A musician wearing a gold dress with gold glove sleeves and a large silver headpiece performs jazz hands during the Calabar Carnival

The Cross River State region sees the carnival – now the biggest in Nigeria – as a way to attract visitors not only from all over Nigeria – but also from foreign countries.