CALABAR – The city of Calabar was awash with colour, pageantry and deep cultural symbolism on Saturday as the Efut Nation staged the 4th edition of the Bunya wa Efut Festival, a celebration that blended rich traditional heritage with modern spectacle and royal grandeur.
Held at the Atu Field along Mayne Avenue in Calabar South Local Government Area, the festival attracted a large turnout of traditional rulers, government officials, political leaders, academics, cultural troupes and indigenes of Efut Nation from across and beyond Cross River State.
The atmosphere was electrifying as traditional drummers, dancers and masquerades took turns to thrill the audience, offering vivid expressions of Efut history, maritime livelihood and ancestral identity. Clad in colourful traditional regalia, chiefs and clan heads processed ceremonially to pay homage to the Muri Munene of Efut Nation, His Royal Majesty, Prof. Itam Hogan Itam Nnankor, JP, the Natural Ruler and Grand Patriarch of the Efut people.
Declaring the festival open, the Chairman of the Occasion, Etubom Architect Bassey Eyo Ndem, described Bunya wa Efut as a powerful platform for cultural revival, unity and pride, noting that the festival has grown in scope and significance since its inception.
“This celebration affirms who we are as a people. It is about honouring our king, preserving our heritage and projecting the Efut Nation to the world,” he said, before formally declaring the 4th Bunya wa Efut Festival open.
A major highlight of the festival was the conferment of honorary chieftaincy titles on eminent Nigerians in recognition of their contributions to governance, education and societal development. Among those honoured were Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, and his wife, Her Excellency, Bishop (Dr.) Mrs. Eyoanwan Itam Bassey Otu. The Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, also received a chieftaincy title.
Other awardees included the Vice Chairman of the Cross River State Planning Commission, senior academics such as serving and former vice-chancellors of tertiary institutions, federal and state legislators, and notable professionals from various sectors.
In his royal message, delivered at the event, the Muri Munene traced the ancestral roots of the Efut people to Southern Cameroon and reaffirmed the nation’s place as one of the indigenous communities of the Cross River Basin. He used the occasion to call for renewed commitment to the preservation of Efut culture and values, while appealing for support towards the revitalisation of the traditional palace.
Beyond the speeches and honours, the festival remained a visual spectacle, with royal processions, rhythmic drumming, traditional songs and communal celebration dominating the venue well into the day.
Organisers described the 2025 edition as a significant milestone, noting that Bunya wa Efut has evolved into a major cultural event that complements Cross River State’s tourism and Christmas celebration calendar.
As the drums faded and festivities drew to a close, participants expressed optimism that the annual celebration would continue to grow, strengthening cultural identity, unity and pride among the Efut people while showcasing their heritage to a wider audience.
