Modernity and Threats to Traditional Values: The Echi'ja Cultural Festival in Idomaland
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Date
2017-01-20
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RUN Journal of Cultural Studies
Abstract
In 1966, the first World Festival of Black Arts (FESMAN) was held in Dakar
Senegal. The event attracted mainly great minds of African descent from over thirty seven countries that converged to celebrate the African heritage and culture, as well
as to demonstrate practically the essence of cultural rebirth. Over a decade later, in
1977, the second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC 77)
was held in Lagos, Nigeria. With over 17,000 participants cut across fifty-seven
countries around the world, the event also provided the opportunity of celebrating the
great minds from Africa and the Diaspora. Indeed, the festival, based on available
records, remained one of the most glamorous and most significant cultural events
ever hosted on the African continent in contemporary history. It is against this
background that this study examines the Echiāja cultural festival within the general
context of cultural renaissance in Idomaland, Nigeria. Data collection was based on
oral interviews, articles in learned journals and books, newspapers, as well as
scholarly essays on the internet. The study adopts the historical-analytical method in
interpreting these documents. Findings from this study, apart from contributing to the
existing body of knowledge, it demonstrates the relevance of cultural festivals in
reviving African identity, especially in Idomaland, Nigeria
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Keywords
Cultural festivals, Echi'ja, Idomaland, Nigeria