By Joy Omagha Idam (Part 2)
The theme celebrating our heritage, honouring Waters and Renewing our Spirit. According to Awolayeofori Macmorrison Harry, the Chairman Kalabari Renaissance, organisers of the event, reflected the people’s identity as a riverine nation and their desire for collective Progress.
It was a reminder to the Kalabari people of who they are and where they come from and the Countless possibilities than of what they can become Working together.
Last year we started the national Kalabari new year festival. Before now all the communities, commemorate the festival independently.
This is Elem Kalabari. Elem Kalabari is where all other communities migrated from. And they left about 150 years ago. And since after then there has been no celebration. But we started the United celebration last year at Abalama and this year came to the source to Celebrate it.
He added, that the annual festival year which used to be celebrated quietly by individual community is now a global cultural brand, he enjoined the Kalabari people to come together in the Spirit of Oneness, noting that there is no Limit to what people can achieve in Education, youth empowerment, economic advancement, environmental care and Cultural revival when United.
During his new year goodwill message The Amanyanabo of Elem Kalabari, Torusaramapiri, Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo- Asari, Called for a revival of Valuable cultural and traditional practices and indigenous Knowledge Systems, he questioned Societal attitude that demonised African spirituality. While accepting Similar practices from abroad.
Four years ago we Were Livingstone now Amayanabo and others decided to hold this new year Festival. What I told them is that it’s not just about Celebration, it is about recreating ourselves. Bringing us from death. So the organisation that came to take over the event Renaissance, really fits the description of what ought to happen. Its not just about Kalabari, but all of us, our values.
I travel to places. If you go to India in all hospitals, You see an Image at the entrance, Same thing hotels. If you go to China you see them with incense, they come in burn it and bow.
On the contrary if anyone put anything in our hotels here in Nigeria no one will go there, they will Say it is demonic.
But the go to China, India and the hospital and its not demonic to be in hote and hospitals abroad, but back here in Nigeria its tagged demonic.