Rivers State: Excitement As 2024 Kalabari New Year Celebration Kicks Off November 16
Ndifereke BASSEY
There is pomp and ceremony as Kalabari Cultural Clinic, along with various local organisations, is set for the annual Kalabari New Year Celebration slated for November 16, 2024.
This year’s festivities will mark the start of the new year according to the Kalabari calendar and continue a centuries-old tradition that brings together the Kalabari people in a celebration of unity, culture, and progress.
The celebration, which begins on November 16, 2024 at Teinma/Abalama Roundabout, starting at 10: am, will among others showcase a series of community-centered activities that highlight the Kalabari people’s rich cultural heritage.
Other activities lined up for the epoch event include traditional music, dance, storytelling, and a ceremonial tree-planting event aimed at honoring the environment.
In a statement by the contact persons including Harry Awolayeofori Macmorrison, Livingstone Membere and Ibiba Don-Pedro,the celebration, organisers say, its designed not only to foster community pride but also to promote tourism and support economic growth through cultural exchange.
Accorsing to them, "before the main event, there will be a prelude of activities on November 15 organised by the Kalabari Ekine Sekiapu, a time of deep reverence and is marked by the observance of a sacred day of silence and darkness.
"And in keeping with centuries-old traditions, the day will be observed without any external noise or activity, except for the Kalabari Ekine Sekiapu, whose customary duties will continue from 12 midnight to 5:00am. This sacred tradition is observed in the towns of Buguma, Abonnema, and Bakana, where the community remains in quiet reflection, a practice meant to honor the ancestors and pave the way for the celebrations to come.
"As part of ensuring the observance of this sacred tradition, the Kalabari Ekine Sekiapu have issued notices to relevant security and legal bodies to help maintain the peace and reverence throughout the day. Community members are encouraged to respect the mandate of silence and darkness to ensure that the day’s sacred purpose is upheld.
“It’s a time to connect with our past, honor our ancestors, and prepare for a year of unity, peace, and prosperity,” said Livingstone Membere, one of the key organizers of the event. “We invite everyone—whether you are Kalabari or friends of our people—to join us in this extraordinary celebration of culture, community, and development.”
"On the main event on November 16, the Kalabari people will also promote the broader values of unity, peace, and development that benefit all Nigerians.
"The celebration is expected to draw visitors from across the country and beyond, highlighting Kalabari’s place as a cultural hub within Rivers State and Nigeria.
"Residents and visitors alike are urged to mark their calendars and participate in the festivities to help celebrate the Kalabari New Year and its deep cultural significance.
"For further details on the event or to learn more about the Kalabari traditions, individuals can contact persons including Harry Awolayeofori Macmorrison, Livingstone Membere and Ibiba Don-Pedro."
