Culture and Tradition: The Annang Festival of Arts and Culture: A Celebration of Rich Heritage.
The Annang Festival of Arts and Culture, established in 2016, is a vibrant celebration of the Annang people’s history, language, and culture . Held in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria, the festival showcases the rich natural endowments of Annang land and promotes unity among the eight local government areas that make up the Annang clan.
The first edition of this Festival was held at Ikot-Ekpene local government area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria in a place called Raffia City plaza
The festival first took place on the 12th of December 2016 to the 19th of December, 2016 where it hosted over 10,000 people daily.
The first edition lasted for 8 days while the 2017 edition of the festival was held for four days, starting from 14th December 2017 to 17th December 2017.
It took place at Ikot-Ekpene township Stadium Ikot Ekpene, Akwa-Ibom State of Nigeria.
In November 2018, The Annang Festival of Arts and culture and foundation was incorporated. This foundation is located at Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom of Nigeria.
The festival held in 2019 was the third festival of its sort to be held. It was hosted in both the Township stadium of Ikot Ekpene and the Ikot Ekpene Plaza in Akwa State.
The Annang Festival of Arts and Culture is a festival celebrated for 3 days which features a whole lot of cultural activities. During the 3 days celebration, about 800 spectacular masquerades are displayed, annang warriors treks, over 5, 000 extinct African drums will be ensemble. The people of Annang have great tradition in music and are well known in arts and sculpture.
One of the unique features of the Annang culture is their masquerades. Masquerades are a central part of Annang culture and are used to honor ancestors, communicate with spirits, and celebrate important events. Each masquerade has its own unique story, and they are identified by their distinctive attire and dance steps.
Another notable activity during the festival is the “Ofiokpa Annang” pageant, where young women from the community compete for the crown by showcasing their knowledge of Annang culture and traditions. This event provides a platform to showcase the beauty and intelligence of Annang women while promoting cultural values.
Other major Events includes;
– Hall of Fame Crown and Induction: Recognizing indigenous achievements and inducting new youth leaders
– Arts and crafts exhibition,
– Writing Competition: Encouraging writing on Annang unity and innovation, with scholarships and awards
Significance and Impact
The Annang Festival of Arts and Culture has become a significant event in Nigeria, attracting thousands of spectators and promoting domestic tourism . It has also helped generate tourist traffic to Akwa Ibom State and Ikot Ekpene, with a goal to exceed 15,000 visitors .
Partnerships and Support
The festival is organized annually in partnership with Annang organizations, Nto Annang Foundation (NAF), and supported by the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), and Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Culture and Tourism .
In summary, preservation of cultural heritage is vital as it ensures that cultural traditions and practices are not lost over time. In the case of the Annang culture, the festival serves as a reminder of the unique customs and traditions of the people, many of which are at risk of being forgotten in the modern world. It provides an avenue for the older generation to pass on cultural knowledge and practices to the younger generation, ensuring continuity and unity.
Written by Oboh Promise,
(Obiwannem News Correspondent from Akwa ibom state),
Date: June 20, 2024
Ubochi Orie Mmiri
Published by Ngozi Odoh (Obinwannem Nsukka Office Secretary)
