Kakkaki is an event that holds bi-annually. It is a cultural event usually scheduled for Independence Day and the maiden edition was held in 2012. This year’s event tagged “Shades of Culture II” took place on the 1st of October in 2014 at the serene Pat’s bar in Victoria Island. Kakkaki is organised by Visibility Events company and the purpose of the event is to showcase Nigeria’s culture and ethnic originality. It started out with a very unusual, but interesting mat carpet which served as a runway and interview location. This year, the cultural exploration involved a look at the marriage ceremonies of the Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo tribes of Nigeria.
The Mat Carpet
- A guest at the event.
Marcus, Irawo the Drumline, a guest and Tunde Afolabi, CEO Create Your World.
Irawo the Drumline, Tunde Afolabi, Yomi “The Needle man” Akindein, Valentina, the event’s host and Marcus.
The event also featured various musical talents such as Ugonna, JStanley, and the Afro Jazz man, Femi Leye who happens to be as talented as he is cute. I was particularly wowed by the performance of Irawo the Drumline. She plays the talking drum, and she belted out a wonderful rendition of the National Anthem; and also accompanied the band (unprepared) to Ty Bello’s Greenland. All on the talking drum!
- Mr Femi Leye belting out a jazz tune.
- The Igbo bride and groom sharing a dance.
- The groom receiving palmwine from his bride.
- The presentation of the bride.
The event also showcased various business owners and entrepreneurs which included make-up artists; who were responsible for doing up the various “brides”, as well as dress makers, responsible for the traditional attires that were showcased. Other traditional performances included the Oha-Ngwa dance troupe, dazzling the crowd with traditional Igbo music and the very skilled “ukwu” of the main dancer, Ms Loretta. The Egungun masquerades were also a sight to behold with their energetic displays ranging from various dance steps, to a mysterious, but still fantastic snake transformation.
- Beautiful henna art done by Trise’s Beauty
- Irawo, belting out tunes on her talking drum
- The Hausa bride and her party.
All together, the event was a great success. I had a lot of fun, and cannot wait for the next edition on the 1st of october in 2016. Keep a date in your diaries folks. Have a good week.