IKEJI FESTIVAL AND THE PRESERVATION OF IGBO CULTURAL HERITAGE: A HERMENEUTIC ANALYSIS

  • Ikechukwu Anthony Kanu, PhD
  • Precious Onyekachi Okoye
Keywords: Ikeji festival, Igbo, Arondizuogu, cultural heritage and preservation, African Traditional Religion

Abstract

This paper questions the relationship between festivals and cultural preservation by analysing the Ikeji festival of Arondizuogu. Ikeji festival is a significant annual cultural event celebrated in the Igbo community of Arondizuogu of Southeastern Nigeria, by Aros at home and in the diaspora. This study specifically seeks to determine whether festivals are a sufficient means of preserving and transmitting cultural heritage and the African Traditional Religion. Much has been written on the impact of festivals on tourism and the economy, with little or no focus on the role of festivals in preserving African traditional religion and cultural heritage in the face of globalization. As the subject matter is not well researched, this study contributes to a more in-depth understanding of the role of the Ikeji festival in preserving Igbo religious and cultural heritages. To provide a well-rounded perspective, a hermeneutic approach of historical analysis was employed to determine the festival’s contribution to the preservation of cultural heritage. This paper also examines the specific ways through which the Ikeji festival promotes essential Igbo values, such as ancestor veneration, masquerade, communal living, prayer, thanksgiving, history and mentorship, while offering a learning opportunity for the younger generation. The research findings will enrich the growing body of literature on African cultural history and will be of great value to scholars, researchers, historians, and cultural enthusiasts seeking to understand the significance of festivals in preserving cultural preservation.

Published
2023-08-20