The Kalabari are a sub-group of the Ijaw people living in the eastern Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

Portuguese settlers continued to maintain the name Calabari which became surrounded by the Efik people of Duke town.

The Kalabari people are Ijaw speaking settlers who came from the lineage of a man called Mein Owei.

[9] There are a variety of traditional dishes (or native food) of the Kalabari, the three popular dishes are Onunu (pounded yam, ripe plantain and palm oil), Tominafulo (fresh fish, prawns, periwinkle and oyster and other local ingredients), Odo’fulo (aka Native Soup made with fresh seafood and other local ingredients).

The cheapest form of marriage which is recognized in Kalabari is called "Ari Ibara emi" (meaning she is with me).

This BIBIFE signifies the responsibility and role of the man towards his wife that shows his willingness to care and feed her for the rest of her life.