The Annang Festival of Arts and Culture takes place in the south-central Nigeria region of Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom. It was established in 2016 with the aim of preserving Anaa language, culture, and history. By preserving Annang traditional and cultural heritage, the festival aims to prevent the disappearance of Annang culture. The exhibit highlights and promotes the natural endowments of Annang land in Akwa Ibom state. Moreover, the festival has a registered foundation called "the Annang Festival of Arts and Culture Foundation".
Annang Heritage Preservation organised the festival in 2016, and it has since grown, attracting tourists from outside Nigeria. Each of the eight local governments that comprise Annang clan celebrates the festival. The first edition took place in Ikot-Ekpene local government area, the capital of the Annang people, known as the raffia city. The event was held between the 12th and 19th of December, 2016. During the 2016 edition of the festival, over 10,000 people were welcomed daily.
From 14 December to 17 December 2017, the 2017 edition of the festival ran for four days. This event was held at the Ikot-Ekpene township stadium, located in Ikot Ekpene in Akwa-Ibom state.
Annang Festival of Arts and Culture Foundation was formed in November 2018. Located in Akwa-Ibom, this foundation is in Ikot, Epene. Taking place at the Unit Ekpene Plaza in Akwa State and Township Stadium in Ikot Ekpene in 2019, the Annang Festival of Arts and Culture is the third of its kind to be held. As part of this year's festival, the tagline "Harnessing Annang Cultural Assets for Economic Gain was used. The event took place from December 20 to 22. Several Annang organisations are collaborating to host the festival in 2019. Among them is the Not Annang Foundation (NAF).
Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), and Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Culture and Tourism supported the festival in 2019.
The event featured an Annang warrior parade, an arts and crafts exhibition, an Ujai beauty pageant, and a drum-based orchestra. The Annang people have great taste in music and are known for arts and sculpture. Other Side attraction of the festival includes; Ekpo Masquerade, Annang Language competition, Annang Hall of Fame unveiling, food displays, Unek Annang dance, and cultural procession are some of the popular festivities. Other activities include the Ujai Annang beauty pageant, the Annang language essay contest, the inauguration of the children's royal troupe, and the festival theme song/Annang ballads.
The Annang festival provides an opportunity for artists, fashion designers, etc to showcase their products to the potential buyers and tourists hence it is a form of advertisement.
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