The Igbo Amaka Festival is scheduled to take place in Calabar, Cross River State, on 15 November 2026, celebrating Igbo culture through traditional dance, masquerade performances, local cuisine and traditional attire.
According to organisers, the festival will feature traditional performances, including Mkpokiti and Nkwa Umunwanyi dances, alongside live drumming, traditional wrestling and displays of indigenous crafts.
The event will also showcase Igbo clothing and craftsmanship, including akwa ocha fabrics, isiagu attire, beadwork and wood carvings. Isiagu is a traditional Igbo garment commonly worn during cultural celebrations and important ceremonies.
A Business and Heritage Dialogue is also planned, with discussions focusing on entrepreneurship, Igbo language preservation, cultural heritage and community relations.
The festival’s name, Igbo Amaka, translates as “Igbo is Beautiful”. First held in Calabar in 2025, the event aims to celebrate the cultural traditions of the local Igbo community and encourage cultural preservation and exchange among different ethnic groups.
According to earlier Nigerian media reports, the Igbo Amaka Festival was included in the programme of cultural events leading up to Carnival Calabar 2026, which is being held under the theme “Rethinking Our Collective Destiny”.
Carnival Calabar is one of Nigeria’s major annual cultural and tourism events. Held every December, it features large-scale street parades, music, dance and performances representing the country’s diverse cultural traditions, attracting visitors from across Nigeria and abroad.
