It is designed to be emancipatory, apolitical, and with an overarching vision to become one of Nigeria’s cultural tourism icons. It is the brain child of the Akpe Iboku/Etongko Mkpe Uruan Heritage Foundation, itself a legally registered entity , with its main focus hinged on the Creation of Awareness, Promotion and Preservation in general, the traditional, social, cultural heritageoftheAkpeIboku/ Etongko MKpe Uruan people as a whole. The organizers of this festival are of the opinion that ,“a people without knowledge of their past history,origin and culture are like a tree without roots”. Therefore, the essence of the Iboku Cultural Festival is the preservation and promotion of the rich cultural heritage of the people of Uruan. The central and umbrella message to all key stakeholders of this initiative and indeed to all other groups in our nation is that “Our Cultural Heritage Is Our Identity , Let’s Embrace And Showcase It With Pride”. On Tuesday December 28 2021, its inaugural event took place in Mbiaya Uruan, and was well received by attendees both local and international, the Uruan community and the media. Being an event that held during the Chrismas holiday season, it attracted massive attendance from holiday makers across the Country as well as tourists on vacation at the Ibom Icon Hotel which is situated close to the venue of the event. The festival’s Theme in 2021 featured the presentation and education of people through detailed description of Rare Idem Ekpe including Murua Nyamkpe, Nkanda, Mboroko, Okpoho and Ebonko amongst others. The event featured majestic and royalty displays of the various Ekpe masquerades. It was a real renaisance of our cultural and traditional values. The event was adjudged as very outstanding and successful both in content and performances.
