TOURISM POTENTIALS OF OCHO AND EGBE INDIGENOUS FESTIVAL THEATRES OF THE IGALA

TOURISM POTENTIALS OF OCHO AND EGBE INDIGENOUS FESTIVAL THEATRES OF THE IGALA

Abstract

A lot of literatures exist on festival and festival theatre either from the cultural, anthropological and administrative views or perspectives. Few literatures also exist on Ocho and Egbe festivals as sacred, social or religious activities but not specifically on this area of study.  This work discusses the contents of Ocho and Egbe festivals of the Igala people in Kogi State with the aim of discovering their potentials for tourism development and economic empowerment. This study is imperative based on the national call for diversification from mono-economic policy of this present government. The study also investigates how these festivals can be enhanced so that the government can lift the proscription from Ocho festival that was placed about fifty five years ago so that it can be properly positioned to serve the vital function of tourism. Ocho and Egbe festivals are two major festivals celebrated by the Igala people as a means of ritual appeasement, communion and reunion with the ancestors. This work employs the historical methodology because the data collection procedure will involve going into historical records, oral interviews and perusing of documented works. Internet materials will also be consulted on the festivals to discover their origins, nature, present status and probably problems encountered over the years. Observation method was also be used in one of the festivals specifically Egbe festival. Findings show that the festival is relevant to the socio economic development of the society under review especially for tourism development and that these festivals are not yet fully developed for tourism because they are being performed for religious purposes exclusively. The study also discovered that the major factors that led to the decline and proscription of these festivals are government policies, ignorance, colonialism and religion. The work recommends the need for standardization of these festivals by the practitioners through the introduction of innovations, advertisement, governmental and non-governmental sponsorships and participation.

TOURISM POTENTIALS OF OCHO AND EGBE INDIGENOUS FESTIVAL THEATRES OF THE IGALA

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