“Contest| Celebrating Grand Festivals: Share the Most Iconic Festival of Your City or Country”

Steemians! first I come with greetings from Ibom bloggers connect and still in same spirit I'll love to share this amazing festival of my state.

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• In our beautiful state "Akwa Ibom", Nigeria, something so magical do happens every December. We called it the Ibom Christmas Unplug, a unique special celebration that always brings together all the 31 local government areas (LGAs) in a month-long festival of great joy, culture, and of course togetherness.

Under the dear leadership of His Excellency Governor Umo Eno, this very festival has become a one most cherished tradition that do makes the Christmas season more extra special.

How it Does Work

First you Imagine a giant calendar where each of the days in December is marked for a different local government area of the state to shine! The very festival starts on the day December 1st and continues all the way down to January 1st of the new year. It's definitely like having 31 different parties if you should think 🤔 it that way, each here with its own special flavor and unique style. On the New Year's Day, everyone all comes together for a one very big celebration and thanksgiving service.

A Journey Through Culture and Tradition

On this occasion, When it's an LGA's special day, they all get the opportunity to show off everything that really makes them unique and so special. It always feels like opening a treasure chest of their traditions!

	The Cultural Dancers During Preparation

Some of the areas might be the showing of their special dances, others as well includes bringing out their colorful masquerades (traditional masked performers), and also displaying their local crafts that have been and inheritance trade passed down through generations.

"My LGA" Ikono Day Experience

Now Let's talk more about my Ikono LGA, the one I've experienced and knows more about and can really tell a story about. we celebrated our day on the 12th day of December.

• Imagine us walking into a much lively gathering where we can all see people making different amazing and beautiful things with their hands - like those woven baskets and the mats which tells stories of my LGA heritage.

	Our Father showing his craft talent

The Pride Of Ikono

The air all fills with those sound of cultural beats and songs in our local dialect. A unique language and special greeting chants as well. One of which was my most exciting parts is really seeing the traditional masquerades dance and also watching people prepare our special foods like Afere Nsana 🍲 that i assure you can't find anywhere else in the state so rampant.

	The Food items

More Than Just Local Celebrations

Believe me the Ibom Christmas Unplug isn't just about the individual LGA celebrations. Believe it that throughout the month, we also experienced special events that bring everyone together as family:

• A magical night call Carol Night of singing where almost all churches join their voices in praise.
• Also a special day for students to showcase their talents
• An Exciting performances of Entertainment by the local musicians and entertainers(comedians) who make everyone dance and smile even to laughter.

Why This Festival is Special to Us

This state festival always makes news headlines in the region because it's more than just any celebration. It's a way of keeping our traditions alive and always helping young people learn about their heritage and abide to it. When the children see their parents and the neighbors proudly displaying their culture, they will always learn important lessons about who they are and certainly where they come from.

Our Future Generation Learning their Tradition
The Spirit of Unity
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It pleases to know that what makes Ibom Christmas Unplug truly special relies on how it brings people together each time. Even though each of the LGA has its own special day to celebrate, everyone always supports and celebrates with each other as friends and family. The perspective of having 31 different flavors of ice cream - each one of it is different, but then they're all delicious in their own way!

The Festive Season Brings Togetherness among Akwa Ibomites

Looking to the Future

As this very festival grows more bigger each year, it always helps in making Akwa Ibom State a place where the tradition and modern celebration comes together beautifully to stimulate. It informally teaches the children that their culture is definitely something to be proud of and that in celebrating together makes everything more fun and unite.

The Grand Finale

When the day January 1st arrive, all the 31 LGAs come out together for a one massive celebration. It's was like the grand finale of a fireworks show - everyone did joins hands, shares together their joy, and thanks the Almighty God for another wonderful year and the festive season.

Conclusion

This festival strongly shows that when people always come together to celebrate their true traditions while also supporting each other, something so truly and magical 💓 always happens. It's definitely a time when the old meets new, when the children learn from their adored elders, and also when the whole state becomes a one big family celebrating the joy of the Christmas and their rich cultural heritage.

I'm inviting @bossj23, @chant and @pea07. Festival 🎎 is always something I cherish.

      "Thank You for Reading"

Cc,
@deepak94