Three key festivities across Africa this holiday season [Travel on TMC]

Of course there is a whole lot going on this period in Africa but I can only highlight a few.

My first destination is to the southern part of Nigeria, in Cross River state. There is an annual carnival called the Calabar Carnival.

It’s a unique display of African heritage showcased through music, dance, drama and visual creativity.

Cross River State and Calabar carnival as they call it has become the pride of Nigeria or Africa as far as tourism, carnivals and hospitality is concerned.

The second is to the Jameson Vic Falls Carnival, it showcases some of Southern Africa’s biggest artists in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe from 29 to 31 December. Some 10,000 revelers are expected at the three-day fiesta.

Back to West Africa, precisely to Ghana for the Akwasidae Festival.

Adae festivals is held at the palace of the powerful and colourful Ashanti king once every 6 weeks. These are occasions when the King, riding in a palanquin and adorned with all his gold ornaments, comes out to receive the homage of his sub-chiefs and people.

It is a spectacular sight to watch the colorful canopies and umbrellas, the skillful drummers, dancers, horn-blowers and praise-singers at these regular festivals, held in honour of their ancestral spirits.