AESTHETICS IN THE CARNIVAL CALABAR 2018

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

1. Background of study                                                     1
   1. Statement of the Research problem                               4
   1. Objectives of the study                                                  6
   1. Scope of the Study                                                        7       
   1. Significance of the Study                                                         7
   1. 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

1. 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 26^th and 27^th 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.