Rivers: Alhaji Asari Dokubo, the Paramount Ruler of Torusaramapiri, Kalabari ethnic group in Rivers, has called for citizens’ reorientation in cultural values and heritage. Dokubo made this call during the second edition of the Kalabari New Year festival, organized by the Kalabari Renaissance Foundation at Elem, Kalabari, in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dokubo highlighted the significance of the event as a return to the traditional values of the Kalabari people. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing cultural norms and values to preserve ancestral identity. Dokubo stated, “This is not just about celebration, it’s about recreating ourselves, bringing us back from death; it is not just Kalabari, it’s about all of us and our values.” He urged the community to re-evaluate themselves and revive their traditional values and heritage to avoid losing their cultural identity and spiritual trajectory.
Mr. Harry MacMorrison, Chief Administrator and Chairman of the Kalabari Renaissance Foundation, explained that the festival marked the beginning of a new calendar year for the Kalabari people. He noted that the festival, an annual ritual observed after November 15, follows the natural cleansing of the Sombrero River, which symbolizes the renewal of the Kalabari people. MacMorrison remarked that while the festival is not new, the Renaissance Foundation’s efforts have made it more unifying for the community.
He explained that the Kalabari area, being a saline environment, experiences an annual occurrence where the Sombrero River flows in and pollutes the river. However, on November 15, the tide changes and clears the fresh water back to the Sombrero River, marking the end of the Kalabari calendar year and the start of a new one on November 16.
Mr. Badaki Aliyu, President of the Tourism Association of Nigeria, commended the festival organizers and the Kalabari people for preserving their cultural heritage. He praised the paramount ruler for maintaining the tradition and noted that the festival promotes unity in the area. Aliyu assured that the visit would not be taken for granted and highlighted plans to conduct research and publicize the festival’s tourism potential for the economic benefit of the community.