Beyond the Stage: Visit Ika for Culture, History, and Community at Christmas Unplugged 3.0

As the festivities of Christmas Unplugged 3.0 fill Unity Park with performances and celebrations, one cultural display stands out for its depth, history, and beauty: Ika Day. This year, the people of Ika Local Government Area bring their timeless traditions into the spotlight, capturing the attention of locals, tourists, and cultural explorers alike.

Ika is one of the eight Annang-dominated local government areas of Akwa Ibom State. Its heritage is preserved across more than 50 villages, each with its own story and cultural nuances. Ika’s population enjoys close ties across clans, and the southeastern part of the state offers scenic landscapes of lowlands, gentle hills, and rivers typical of the region.

At Christmas Unplugged, visitors will experience the Ika cultural team performing traditional dances that highlight communal values and shared history. These performances include rhythmic movement, chant sequences, and group choreography that have been preserved across generations. The performance known as Akakum, or Afum, is specific to Ika and reflects a cultural philosophy intertwined with nature, movement, and community identity.

But your visit to Ika does not have to end at the festival stage. A short trip into the LGA provides an opportunity to see village life, local marketplaces, rivers, and peaceful landscapes. History buffs will enjoy learning about how Ika’s clans developed their social structures and cultural affiliations, including historical links that tie parts of the community to neighbouring cultures and historic alliances that predate colonial history.

Ika Day at Christmas Unplugged 3.0 is an invitation. It is a call to explore heritage, understand community, and witness cultural pride that continues to define one of Akwa Ibom’s most enduring locales. If you want an authentic experience of culture, history, and hospitality this holiday season, make Ika part of your travel plans.