Endless excitement, fun at CANIRIV

By Jimoh Babatunde
For many, it looks like magic, but to others it was originality and aesthetics combined. That was the feeling at the Port Harcourt Tourist Beach venue of the Boat Regatta of the just-concluded Rivers State Carnival 2011 (CARNIRIV) evoked by performances of some masquerades.

Masquerades are known to perform on land, but when the dexterities displayed by masquerades on water turned out better than on land, tongues are bound to wag. And that was indeed what happened with the performances of the Ogunne and Oky masquerades from Okirika.

Before the various local governments filed out, the water was calm. But those who knew that the calmness will soon be broken held their breaths, while first-timers, probably, tried to imagine what the excitement around them was all about.

*Masquerade dancing on water

The excitement became manifested with the commencement of the event when the various local councils filed out in well decorated colourful boats with participants dancing rhythmically to pulsating drum beats.

Boats of many colours

The boats were constructed in different shapes, each telling a story. The canoe types were pretty much the same. There were wrestling boats, war canoes and coronation canoes. Some were ordinary boats with thatch houses and some were exotically decorated with wrappers of different colours, just as the attires of the boat paddlers were in different colours.

The sea took the bustling colours into itself, combining it with the beautiful sun rays which literally gave the environment a coat of many colours. That ambience was cut short as the participating teams sought to do the unusual in order to get the attention of the judges.

Their moves on the water were daring and mesmerising. The splendor and grace of the boats were breathtaking. The boats became something like toys in the hands of the paddlers as they could paddle seriously without moving the boats and making some daring turning on water.

Masquerade’s ‘wife’

Top on the list of dramatic happenings at the regatta was the Ogunne and Oky masquerades from Okirika. According to the people, the two masquerades only perform on water and do so during festive seasons.

One interesting thing about the Ogunne is that it has a female partner that directs its affair from the bank of the river. The female partner will dance, sway her hips to the rhythm of the beats of the drums and then wave her handkerchief in the direction of the masquerade. Ogunne would respond by waving back and moving towards the direction she points.

The excitement and fun from the boat regatta was stretched to the other activities of CARNIRIV and the people of the garden city knew something was happening.

Much of the activities were carried out at the Carnival Village, a dedicated segment of the Elekahia Stadium, carved and prepared for that purpose of the carnival. There were so much trading activities going on in and around the venue, as residents of the city capitalised on the event to make brisk business.

The Carnival Village accommodated the Praise Festival, Cultural Performances, Reggae/Old Skool Groove and the Peace Concert/Awards, among others.

Other venues that caught the fire of the carnival included the designated streets on the carnival parade route for the local governments heritage float and the Freestyle bands street parades.

Each local government incorporated different types of fishes and aquatic animals in its float. Apart from the prevalent aquatic motif, oil (the state produces crude oil) and agricultural motifs were also incorporated into the floats. Abua/Odual; Bonny; Eleme and Asalga, amongst others, had all three.

All participating local governments were attired in colourful costumes.

Gov Amaechi leads parade

Governor Rotimi Amaechi and his wife led the six freestyle bands, Constitution band; Dynamics band; Jubilee Band; Treasure Base Band; Liberation Band and Fusion Bands, on a street parade that stretched from the Silver Bird Cinema, at the popular Mile1, to Liberation Stadium.

The parade confirmed the principles of the freestyle band which is to cement the chord of mutual co-existence, brotherhood and friendship that have been the core part of the daily life among the people of the state.

People who could not join any of the bands trooped out to catch a glimpse of the governor and his entourage as well as the breath-taking costumes of the various bands as they tried to out-shine one another in nostalgic display of oneness.

Our Culture, Our Future

According to the Governor Amaechi, the theme for this year’s carnival, Our culture, Our Future, could not be more appropriate as they are continuously exploiting platforms that will enthrone lasting peace and mutual co-existence among the people.

Those who were in the Garden City for the carnival, who savoured the rich cultural heritage of the people displayed through dances, music, costumes and merriment, will not disprove the governor’s statement that lasting peace has returned to the state.

The peace concert and the various shows at the Liberation Stadium throughout the week-long event, brought renewed sense of security in the state as the entire city virtually emptied into the stadium every night to watch the local, national and international artistes performing.