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CULTURAL DISPLAY IN THE CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR IN NKO, YAKURR, CROSS RIVER STATE.

Culture has been defined as the total way of life of a people. It varies from region to region and diverse in nature. Therefore, a culture is dynamic and unique in the area of practice or adoption. It can also be said that culture heralds the values, customs, norms and traditions of a particular community.

Over the years, culture has been seen as a tool for bonding, oneness and togetherness in the African community. Even in most cases, people have been elevated as a result of their culture. People have been employed and given gifts because they share the same culture, especially in the milieu of language.

The Nko people of Yakurr, Cross River state, have a rich culture which they showcase with pride in any festive season which includes the “Leboku” (Christmas and New Year) celebration. Nko, a town in Yakurr local government area in Cross River state, is comprised of Okomasi, Lekankapi, Kedagna, Obanakpai, Ukpawen, Ezomezo, Elige, Etombe, Lekpankom, Mkpolo, Lekoikom. These villages, or wards with close proximity, make up the Nko community of the state (Cross River state).

The ecstasy that rises with the presence of the Christmas and New Year celebration was not expunged from the community as people wore smirks around the vicinity; even the aura felt their joy. The morning of “Leboku” (Christmas) was deluged with assorted delicacies. Unity and love was seen as anybody could walk to the home of anybody to eat and drink, especially in Lekoikom. Despite the presence of food and drinks and the over-joyed stomachs of many, they all had in anticipation the “big moment”. For them, it was the moment of truth, the moment of the big game—it was the moment of the MASQUERADES!

Performing masquerades of Nko

The appearance of the masquerades, orchestrated by the “Nnabo” group and the “Obam” group marks the beginning and end of the celebration. It is the peak of the celebration for them. The event which begins, sometimes earlier or later than 2pm, is the most relished and exciting in the community. Despite their human disparities, and their unique villages, they share a similar interest and culture in celebrating the birth of the messiah.

The event began from the shrine in Okomasi and proceeded to what they call “playground” (more like a village square), witnessed fireworks, gunshots, chants and shouts of joy .There, the masquerades, if not the entire village, but an enormous number of the people, gathered to dance and watch the masquerades entertain the people at the birth of ancestral songs in praises, reverence and mockery of the masquerades. From there, they entered the streets of various villages (since they are linked and close to one another), then to the express road, which marks the end of the event at a location in Lekpankom. It is important to note here that, the masquerades performance or “pursuit” (as it is called by the people) by the Nnabo and Obam groups was an atmosphere for generating income, as people, motorists and certain respected villagers dropped money in their offering bag. It was also a display of their weaponry and prowess in war, as youths, who were mainly the spectators that made up the horde were armed with muskets, machetes, clubs, hatchets, daggers, pistols and all kind of weapons in marking the event.

Owing to the event, the express road which barely suffers from a hold up or go-slow, witnessed one that day, and that evening, inns and restaurants and taverns, also witnessed a high patronage. And the day was over.

While that of the Christmas was organized by the Nnabo group, the Obam group delighted in organizing the New Year’s. Therefore, there are two events (Christmas and New Year), known as “Leboku”. Two groups (the Nnabo and the Obam), two, but the same masquerades appear in both celebrations.

More pictures.