Carnival Calabar 2026: Ekuum Cultural Band Joins Fiesta, to Showcase Ofutop Heritage

From Ene Asuquo, Calabar

The 2026 Carnival Calabar will feature the cultural heritage of Ofutop Nation for the first time, following the official registration of Ekuum Cultural Band as a non-competing guest participant.

The registration was confirmed by the band’s Chief Executive Officer, Oyama Osam Ntun in Calabar, Cross River State.

He vowed that Ekuum Cultural Band of Ofutop Nation will showcase the community’s rich cultural heritage, traditional music and artistic talents.

Ntun disclosed that the band had fulfilled all the necessary requirements and secured approval from the relevant authorities to participate in the 2026 edition of the carnival, which attracts participants and visitors from different parts of Nigeria and beyond.

He explained that Ekuum Cultural Band would participate as a non-competing guest band, adding that its debut would provide an opportunity to introduce the distinctive cultural identity of Ofutop Nation to a wider audience.

According to him, the band plans to bring the colourful traditions, rhythmic music, vibrant performances and cultural expressions of Ofutop people to the carnival route, showcasing traditions preserved and transmitted across generations.

“Participating in the carnival will avail us the opportunity to exhibit our numerous talents and allow members to tell the different stories passed on to them by their grandparents,” Ntun said.

He noted that the participation would also provide a platform for younger members of the community to connect with their cultural roots, learn from their heritage and contribute to preserving indigenous traditions in a rapidly changing society.

The band’s chief executive, who was recently honoured with the Calabar Heritage Young Achiever of the Year Award, said his vision was to promote local cultural identity and elevate indigenous heritage to international recognition through platforms such as Carnival Calabar.

“True career excellence goes hand in hand with cultural preservation,” he said, stressing the importance of balancing professional achievements with efforts to sustain the traditions and values of one’s community.

Ntun added that the debut of Ekuum Cultural Band would create a link between corporate professionalism and traditional heritage while providing Ofutop Nation with an opportunity to showcase its cultural identity at the 2026 Carnival Calabar. 

The participation is expected to add another dimension to the festival’s cultural display and further highlight the diversity of traditions represented at the annual event.