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.
