ABSTRACT
This research work focuses on aesthetics in the Carnival
Calabar and its various levels of artistic dimensions as well as the economic
and developmental spheres in the culture of the Cross River people. The
uniqueness, and the competitiveness of the different band groups is one thing
to give kudos to the commission for a job well done. This paper processes
randomly in selecting every side and sight catching devices in the carnival
held during the 2018 Calabar Carnival. Towards eliciting instances of artistic
perfection and relationship with nature, the study also placed attention on the
artistic use of colours, shapes, sentences and modes of image/imageries
displayed during this carnival. The study concludes that these images, which
are representation of African fauna, which are intended as artistic mimicries
for evoking the rich colourful endowments of the environment around which
carnival participants concentrate their ideas and performances.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE
i
CERTIFICATION
ii
DEDICATION
iii
ACKNOWLEDGMENT iv
ABSTRACT
v
TABLE OF CONTENTS
vi
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
Background of study
1
Statement of the Research problem 4
Objectives of the study
6
Scope of the Study
7
Significance of the Study
7
Research Methodology
8
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 History of
Calabar Carnival 9
2.2 Conceptual
Framework
13
2.3 Theoretical
Framework
17
2.4 Socio-cultural
Impact
20
2.5 Summary
28
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 Carnival
Performance in Calabar 31
3.1 Performance:
Definition of elements 37
3.1.1 Dance
40
3.1.2 Music
41
3.1.3
Instrumentation
43
3.1.4 Gestures
44
3.2 Interplay of
Performers and audience 45
3.3 Theme
46
3.4 Costumes 47
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 Symbolism in
Carnival Calabar Performance
49
4.1 Definition of
Symbolic Element in the Performance
51
4.2 Summary 54
4.3
Conclusion
56
4.4
Recommendation
56
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background of study
In a bid to develop cultural tourism in Nigeria, a number of
states of the federation have recently developed carnivals in which they
showcase aspects of Nigerian and popular cultures in street performances. Cross
River State, Rivers State, the Federal Capital Territory Abuja and recently
also Imo State are at the forefront of this initiative. Carnival Calabar in
Cross River State is probably more popular than the rest, judging from the
organization, publicity, patronage, utilitarian thrust and artistic profile of
the carnival.
In terms of
organization, the carnival held every 26th and 27th December and this year’s
own – 28th, it is run by a commission made up of technically competent members
who are either drawn from the performing and visual art industry/academia or
are connoisseurs of the arts. The commission also collaborates from the
well-established carnivals of Trinidad and Tobago and Rio De Janerio in Brazil.
as part of technical manpower development for Carnival Calabar, workshops and
series of interactive sessions have been held over the years for creative
personnel involved in costume production, float construction, headgear
production and other technical activities. In 2012, a detachment of a band from
Brazil participated in Carnival Calabar probably to strengthen the technical
partnership, while also providing a different variety of cultural performance.