Carnivals. An event that showcases beautiful processions of people, a tasty barbecue, ear-shattering music, and fun games to play. Carnivals are always an exciting time. They increase happiness and encourage integration on a societal level. The best festivals in the world make use of all forms of entertainment to get the performers and crowd active going. Most carnivals are deep-rooted in the culture and tradition of a geographical area. The Rio de Janeiro Carnival in Brazil is highly touted as the mother of all carnivals. It is conducted yearly for a few days before the commencement of Lent — the Roman Catholic Church’s 40-day period of fasting, abstinence, and repentance. In recent times, the Rio carnival has been hit by cancellations and postponements due to the Covid-19 pandemic that put a halt to a lot of events and businesses at the start of 2020. More recently, due to a surge in COVID-19 cases in the country, the governments of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo declared on Friday, January 21st, 2022, that their flamboyant carnival parades will be postponed until the end of April. Due to the advancement of the Omicron variant, Brazil is now seeing a high in new COVID-19 cases, with more than 80,000 cases per week on average.
As expected, these recent developments have put a strain on Rio de Janeiro’s tourist sector, stripping the city of a significant source of revenue and denying the public exhibitions that frequently convey incisive public opinion and commentary. Eighty-year-old Nicilda da Silva, who was voted queen of the Porto da Pedra samba group this year and helps prepare their parades, noted, “I feel like sobbing, knowing they haven’t started the task of erecting the floats. However, our powers are limited.” The carnival hosts more than two million people, so the city’s economy is expected to witness a significant strain. However, those interested in other rave opportunities can look towards other urban festivals such as the three-day Afro Nation Festival slated for 1st – 3rd July 2022. The finest musicians in Afro beats, Hip Hop, RnB, Dancehall, Amapiano, Afro House, and more will perform at the Afro Nation festival which is regarded as the world’s biggest Afro beats festival. Over the course of three days, ravers will anticipate world-class staging, renowned live performances, and DJ sets. According to the festival organizers, the main site is made up of 3 stages and is located on the stunning Praia Da Rocha beach in Portimão, Portugal.
In Western Europe —Germany to be specific, Oktoberfest is the ultimate experience. Thousands of tourists across the globe flock to Germany during Spring to witness and partake in the intoxicating Oktoberfest—the largest beer festival in the world. The festival takes place every year at the largest fairground in Munich, the Theresienwiese. It is a traditional festival that has been functional since 1810. Ravers book spots at the beer tents, rides, and fairground games that include prizes and other attractions. One of the famous rides is called Olympia. It has a harrowing five-ring loop of hell that can get one’s stomach in a flurried state on the first try. The Oktoberfest is primarily a beer festival so only different varieties of beer are served at the tents. Also, beers brewed during the festival are usually stronger than most beers so it is recommended to watch one’s intake. U-18s will probably want to sit this one out or stick to the fairground rides and attractions. However, teenagers as young as 16 are allowed to drink beer in most European countries but stronger spirits are allowed for only persons 18 and older. The 187th Oktoberfest in 2022 will be held from September 17 until October 3, 2022.
American University of Nigeria held its maiden carnival on the 18th of November 2021 during Homecoming week. It was the first of its kind, so students were in anticipation of what the Campus Activities Board (CAB) was going to put together. The carnival was divided into two segments. The first segment was the parade where students were led in a rather moody but eventful procession around the school. The light showers of rain undermined the superb energy that students originally came with but that didn’t stop the crowd. Students hopped on cars and buses and continued with the business of the day. The hype-man and DJ also kept the crowd active with energetic chants and thumping music so overall it was an interesting experience that would have been even more exciting if not for the light showers. The following day saw the second segment that came with its own bag of fun. Students were accustomed to huge tents where various games and tantalizing food were served. Trampolines, joy rides, face painting & henna, and apple bobbing were some of the main attractions. However, red light-green light proved to be the highlight of the festivities. Readers familiar with the Netflix blockbuster series, Squid Game know what the game entails —only this time, it was the PG version, so no violence was expected. Nonetheless, eliminations were punished with water guns/balloons or covered in powder. The next Homecoming event will take place around the same period this year. Unfortunately, there are uncertainties about another carnival, but fingers remain crossed. The Campus Activities Board President, Anyietie Etim has noted the importance of carnivals and the increasing need to make them a center of AUN’s social and cultural sphere. On whether another carnival will be held this year, he explains that it falls incrementally on the commitment of the school administration to make resources available to ensure that CAB solidifies its carnival planning with better props, instruments, and other attractions to make for an even grand festival if it holds this year. Nonetheless, the entire AUN community waits in anticipation of what will come next.
According to the Economist, over 50 countries host carnivals around the world that are unique to their traditions and culture. Carnivals and festivities are fundamental elements of societal growth. While there have been reductions in the number of carnivals held around the world in recent times due to the coronavirus pandemic, this does not affect their significance in the global sphere. Carnivals boost happiness, the economy, cultural sensitization, integration, and tourism. Carnivals attract thousands and millions of people across the world to host nations. These phenomenal events increase the revenue of such host nations as their economies will experience a boom in sales of locally made products and commodities. Nevertheless, the underlying essence of carnivals and festivals is in its ability to promote culture and tradition while also educating foreign elements of host nations’ way of life and history.
By Nsikak Ntuen
