tourism and cultural resource management in anambra state
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TITLE PAGE
TOURISM AND CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN ANAMBRA STATE FROM 1960 - 2010
BY
OFOR, NGOZI UZOAMAKA NAU/2009046010F
A PROJECT SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY AND
INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
FACULTY OF ARTS
NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY, AWKA ANAMBRA STATE
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF ARTS (M.A.) DEGREE IN HISTORY AND INTERNATIONAL
STUDIES
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APPROVAL PAGE
This thesis has approved, having satisfied the conditions for the award of
Master of Arts degree in History and International Studies of Nnamdi Azikiwe
University, Awka, Nigeria.
____________________ _____________
Prof. Mrs. Ify Emejulu Date (Supervisor)
Prof. Mrs. Ify Emejulu Date (Head of Department)
Prof. Uchenna Anyanwu Date
(External Examiner)
Prof. Alex Asigbo Date
(Dean Faculty of Arts)
Prof. Luke Anike Date
(Dean, School of Post Graduate)
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CERTIFICATION
NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY, AWKA
SCHOOL OF POST-GRADUATE STUDIES
TOURISM AND CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN ANAMBRA STATE
FROM 1960 - 2010
BY
OFOR NGOZI UZOAMAKA
PG/MA/NAU/2009046010F
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DECLARATION
This is to certify that this research study is the original work of the above
mentioned candidate, and has been accepted by both the Department of
History and International Studies and the School of Post-graduate Studies
Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka in partial fulfillment of the
requirement for the award of Master of Arts (M.A) in History and International
Studies.
____________________ _____________
Prof. Mrs. Ify Emejulu Date (Supervisor)
Prof. Mrs. Ify Emejulu Date (Head of Department)
Prof. Uchenna Anyanwu Date
(External Examiner)
Prof. Alex Asigbo Date
(Dean Faculty of Arts)
Prof. Luke Anike Date
(Dean, School of Post Graduate)
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DEDICATION
This research work is dedicated to the undivided Trinity and to my little
daughter Akuoma, a child of destiny.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I wish to express my profound appreciation to all the people who had been
instrumental to the successful completion of this work.
My profound gratitude goes to my indefatigable supervisor Prof. Mrs. Ify
Emejulu, my role model who encouraged me to do my Masters degree and who
without her scholarly direction, this endeavour would have been too difficult. I
acknowledge her patience and understanding, motherly assistance and care,
which she shows to all students of the department, and especially with which
she supervised this work. May God reward her abundantly.
I shall not but remain ever grateful to my parents of blessed memory,
Barrister and Mrs. G.A.C. Ofor who initiated the race for me but could not see
the end of it. May their loving souls rest in peace Amen.
I cannot quantify the debt of gratitude I owe my husband Mr. Lawrence
Okwosa for his quiet assistance to me. No matter how the flow of fortune may
be, my high regard for him cannot wane. My sincere appreciation goes to my
children Chukwudile, Chismdi and Akuoma for their patience and occasional
distraction, they really made my day.
The assistance rendered by my Aunty, Mrs. Letty Ukeje and her family is
also acknowledged and appreciated. I am also grateful to all my classmates,
they are wonderful.
If I have succeed in this my research, it must be attributed to the in-
depth historical knowledge I acquired from my lecturer in the Department of
History and International Studies, UNIZIK. I must acknowledge how useful I
found Prof. C.C. Agbodikes lectures on research methodology. May I thank
Prof. C.C. Agbodike for everything. I am grateful to Mrs. Ngozi Ojiakor whose
spiritual and material assistance is immeasurable.
Finally, I appreciate the efforts of my lecturers especially Mr. Ikenna
Odife, Barr. Sam Okeke, Dr Igwe my co-ordinator and other lecturers in my
department for all their love and advice.
May God bless you all.
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ABSTRACT
The main objective of Archaeology is the recovery of tradition, and when that
tradition has been recovered, to use it in writing or presenting an authentic
past of a people. One of the avenues through which past traditions can be
retrieved, documented and kept for posterity is through tourism. Africans share
a special imperative to overhaul history, especially their history. This
imperative demands from us a profound confrontation with history, a
confrontation which demands that we excavate and re-excavate all available
means and vigorously sift and evaluate these for the truth (or the nearest
approximation to the truth) about the African selves and self. Having realizing
the importance of tourism in documenting our tradition as well as its other
relevance in contemporary society, this research reviews the management of
Tourism and cultural resource in Anambra State. The numerous cultural
resources of Anambra state are highlighted and their role in documenting our
past is also examined.
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TABLE OF CONTENT PART ONE
Title Page - - - - - - - - - - i
Dedication - - - - - - - - - - ii
Acknowledgement - - - - - - - - iii
Abstract - - - - - - - - - - iv
Table of content - - - - - - - - - v
Sketch Map - - - - - - - - -
CHAPTER ONE 1.1 Introduction - - - - - - - - 1
1.2 Statement of problem - - - - - - - 4
1.3 Purpose of study - - - - - - - - 4
1.4 Significance of study - - - - - - - 5
1.5 Limitation and scope - - - - - - - 5
1.6 Literature review - - - - - - - - 7
1.7 Sources and Methodology - - - - - - 9
CHPATER TWO Conceptual review of Tourism and Cultural Resource Management - -
- - - - - - - - - - - 11
2.1 Different definitions of concept - - - - - 11
2.2 Origin of Cultural resources management - - - - 12
2.3 Origin of tourism - - - - - - - - 12
2.4 The impact of Tourism - - - - - - - 15
2.5 Problems of cultural resource management - - - 23
2.6 Challenges and prospects of Tourism and cultural resource management
- - - - - - - - - - 26
End Notes - - - - - - - - - 28
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CHPATER THREE Tourism and cultural resource management in Anambra State 30
3.1 Cultural resource management in the colonial period - - - 31
3.2 Tourism development in Anambra State - - - 34
3.3 Excavations at Igbo-ukwu by Thurstan Shaw - - 36
3.4 Examination and analysis of finds - - - - 38
CHAPTER FOUR 4.1 Tourist attractions in Anambra State - - - 45
4.2 Sites - - - - - - - - - 45
4.2.1 Ogbunike Cave - - - - - - - 45
4.2.2 Habba shrine - - - - - - - 46
4.2.3 Agulu Lake - - - - - - - - 47
4.2.4 Nanka Erosion - - - - - - - - 48
4.2.5 Nkwo Igbo shrine Igbo-ukwu - - - - - 48
4.2.6 Museums and Gallaries - - - - - - 49
4.3 Festivals - - - - - - - - - 50
4.3.1 Uzoiyi Festival (Umuoji) - - - - - - 50
4.3.2 Nwafor Festival (Ogidi) - - - - - - 53
4.3.3 Iri ji (New Yam) Festival - - - - - - 56
4.3.4 Afia Olu (Nnewi) - - - - - - - 58
Notes - - - - - - - - - 60
CHAPTER FIVE An analysis of tourism and cultural resource management
in Anambra State- - - - - - - - 63
5.1 The challenges and prospects of tourism and cultural
resource management in Anambra State - - - 61
5.2 Recommendation - - - - - - - 63
End Notes - - - - - - - - 65
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CHAPTER ONE
1.1 INTRODUCTION
Anambra state like all the states of Nigeria, share a special
imperative to reform and authenticate history, especially their
history. This imperative demands a profound knowledge of history,
a need which demands that we excavate and re-excavate available
records through all available means and vigorously sift and
evaluate these for the truth (or the nearest approximation to the
truth) about the state. It is believed that if such a need is
systematically and vigorously pursued, it should logically lead to
the rejection of the concept of history as simply a social text. For
one thing, it would reveal that written history is merely the
vocabulary of power, and power is historys most educatively attired
false witness. According to Bassey W. Andah, authentic
excavations of African cultural history need to descend into the
burrows of Africas invisible silent times, persons, peoples, places
and things, the virtual ground where one can truly examine African
relationships with history in all its textual manifestation and strive
for control of the text of our experience1.
Anambra State tourism is mainly motivated by her rich
cultural resources which could be packaged and sold to potential
tourists. This statement is particularly relevant since it seems that
the bulk of Nigerias customers would usually come from within and
because domestic tourism has always accounted for a greater
percentage of world total tourist movement. The main attractions
for this category of visitors would normally be cultural resources
and carnivals. The lack of strong tourism culture in Anambra State
generally explains in part why natural attractions have not usually
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been appreciated by the people. Some are not even aware that such
attractions exist. The opportunity for a citizen to know his own
environment a deeper awareness of national identity, and a sense of
belonging to a culture are all major reasons for stimulating
domestic and international tourism.
Cultural resource management is one of the areas of
specialization in the Nigerian Universities and its ultimate objective
is to enable Africans properly reconceptulize and revolutionize their
history from a truly African perspective as well as a universal one.
It offers options in Museum studies and Tourism. The choice of
tourism as one of the options emphasizes the importance of
tourism. Tourism rank high in economic development efforts of
many nations. According to Pat Uche Okopoko, tourism is becoming
a dominant sector of economic activity world wide. Over 8% of all
jobs are estimated by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC)
to depend on travel and tourism and it is hoped that the sector will
create over 5.5 million jobs per year over the next deade2.
Apart from employment creation, tourism is a good source of
foreign exchange and income generation in tourism-oriented
economics. Tourism is also invaluable in heritage management and
conservation. On the other hand, tourism can lead to social and
environmental problems namely prostitution, spread of
communicable diseases, pollution and environmental depletion,
among others.
Having mentioned the advantages and disadvantages inherent
in tourism, one might appreciate the fact that in as much as
tourism is now a huge and growing industry as much as 80,000
billion dollars was generated world wide 3, there is need for
countries to be cautious in their approach to tourism. While the
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developed countries have found it easy profiting from tourism, the
developing countries have not found it easy singing the same tune.
An example that readily come to mind is Togo, where the
government as far back as 1981 initiated efforts aimed at promoting
and encouraging tourism. Kazadi repots that in spite of the various
investments in tourism, Togos foreign income came primarily from
its exports like, coffee, cocoa, cotton and textiles. Yong reports that
in the Caribean, Tourism replaced the banana industry as the
countrys main source of foreign income. There arose a situation
where those who were left on the plantations could not cope with
the labour requirements of the banana plantations with a
consequent loss of productivity and earnings, so tourism led to a
great increase in goods importation and a great strain on the
balance of payment.
It has been observed that there is need for developing
countries, such as Nigeria to fashion out their own form of tourism
not necessarily along the lines of those practiced in the developed
nations. Ward et al have suggested that developing countries
should make the rich cultural heritage the selling point of their own
form of tourism4. In this thesis, there is an attempt to review some
cultural resources in Anambra State whose tourism potential can
be exploited.
This work is written specially to look at tourism and cultural
resource management in Anambra State from 1960 to 2010.
Anambra State is richly endowed with great cultural heritage and
tourist attraction which will lead to the economic growth of the
state if properly harnessed.
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1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
The proper management of both tourism and cultural resources aid
not only in preserving the cultural heritage of the people but also a
reserving and authenticating the history of a community. To this
end, this study:
1 Attempts to document and examine the tourism attributes and
other cultural resources of Anambra state.
2 Highlights their contributions in presenting available
information on the history of the people.
3 Examines the problems encountered in their proper
management.
1.3 PURPOSE OF STUDY
The Nigerian Tourism Board was established by Decree No. 54 of
1976, which also established a Tourism Committee in each state of
the federation. Although Anambra State committee decree was
formally set up in 1987, it has not really achieved or tangible
success. This work is an attempt to study how the state has been
managing tourism and their cultural resources. In this work,
attention should be given to tourism development in Anambra
State, problems of cultural resource management, challenges and
prospects of tourism and cultural resource management in
Anambra State.
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1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This research will do a conceptual review of Tourism and Cultural
Resource Management, the problem challenges and prospect of
Tourism and cultural resource management in Anambra State. This
work is therefore designed to portray the importance of tourism as
a revenue generator in a state and why the state government should
give it a pride of place in its economic sphere and also the problems
of tourism and cultural resource management in Anambra State.
This work will serve as a guiding tool for future studies in
documenting the relevance of Tourism and Cultural Resource
Management in Anambra State.
1.5 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF STUDY
This research covers the period 1960 to 2010. The year 1960 was
taken as a starting point because of Igboukwu excavation by
Thurstain Shaw in 1959 which ended in 1960. The year 2010 was
chosen as the ending point because government activities in
turning most of their plans into action. The area chosen for this
study is Anambra State. The intention behind the study is to review
the importance of tourism and cultural resource and also to point
out that its potentials are not harnessed because of the
governments lethargy towards tourism.
The work also included in its study, the different festivals in
Anambra State such as Nwafor festivals in Ogidi, Afia Olu Nnewi,
Uzoiyi festival in Umuoji, Mmamu festival, New yam festival in
Anambra State and so on. However these are not the only popular
festivals that are capable of attracting tourists in the state but a
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work of this nature cannot be expected to cover all the festivals in
Anambra State.
There were many problems encountered during the course of
this research. The problems of getting the staff of Anambra State
Tourism Board to provide reports needed by the researcher. The
staff of the state Tourism which is now part of the Ministry and
Information and Culture was reluctant to divulge the whole truth as
it concerns the management of tourism and cultural resource. The
problem of informants not keeping to their appointment schedules
with the researcher. The researcher also found it rather had to get
some reliable information since the state has been divided.
More so, the problem of handling money minded informants
cannot be over-emphasized, such informants would not offer any
information where there is nothing to offer. One has learnt through
this experience that it takes patience, endurance and diplomacy to
accomplish field work.
1.6 LITERATURE REVIEW
There are written materials on tourism and cultural resource
management in general but none has been on Anambra State in
particular. Andah, W. Bassey, in his book, Cultural Resource
Management (An African Dimension) reviews the current state o f
African cultural resource management and also assesses its role in
the development of Africa. Although, his book assessed the role of
cultural resource management in Africa, it did not focus on Nigeria
and Anambra State.
Emejulu, Ifeyinwa H., her thesis the contributions of women
to tourism in Enugu and Anambra State, writes on tourism in
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Enugu and Anambra States with her major interest on the
contributions of women without assessing the management of
tourism and cultural resources.
Okpoko Pat. Uche, in his book, Tourism Planning and
Development, states the need for planning and development of
tourism in order to harness the huge heritage resource of Africa for
tourism. In this book, he did not go into tourism and cultural
resource management neither did he particularized it to Anambra
State.
Nwokeke Ifenna I, writes on Tourism and Hospitality in
Nnewi not on Tourism and cultural resource management in
Anambra State.
Bansal S.P, has written on Tourism Development and its impact
but not on Tourism and Cultural resource management. Ahana
Chakraborty and Chakravarti B.K have also written on Global
Tourism but did not to into the management of Cultural resources.
Emejulu, Ifeyinwa H., in her article on Tourism in Anambra
State, talks only on the challenges and prospects. Although she
traces the history of tourism in Anambra State but she fails to
delve into cultural resource management, so more work needs to be
done.
Achor, L., in his book, The role of festivals in tourism
development, states the need role of festivals in tourism
development without going into the management of cultural
resources.
Adejuwon, F.I. & Ekpeyong, write on Overview of Tourism
Industry in Nigeria-Giant in the Tropics and here, they emphasized
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on the Nigerian tourism Industry seeing Nigeria as Giant in the
Tropics.
Anyichie, O., on the other hand has written on Tourism and
sports Development in Nigeria but not on Tourism and cultural
resources management in Anambra State.
Ekechukwu, L.C. in his book, Encouraging National
Development through the promotion of tourism emphasized the need
of tourism in National development but fails to go into the
management of tourism and cultural resources.
Halloway, W., in his book Social Tourism: its nature and
problems, narrates the nature and problems of Social Tourism
without looking at the cultural resources management.
Lea, J. writes on Tourism and Development in third world but
not in Tourism and cultural resources management.
Leonard et al, in his book, An introduction to Tourism states
the origin of tourism and its need for national development but has
not gone deep into the management of tourism.
It is now obvious that there is need for this research since no
body has written on it. Though, the above mentioned materials
helped and gave due to the writing of this work.
1.7 SOURCES AND METHODOLOGY
The bulk of the sources material for this research was from oral
tradition and some written source. Tourism is believed to have
always been practiced by the Igbo people, hence when they
celebrate their different festivals they invite friends and relatives
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from far and near. In the celebrated novel- Things Fall Apart Achebe
Portrays how the people of Umuofia, during the new yam festival,
invited friends and relatives from neigbouring villages, a festival
like the New Yam festival was seen as an occasion for joy
throughout Umuofia and people were far and wide6.
For an effective research into the activity of tourist agencies,
festivals and other organizations, field research and library
methods were used. This was done to obtain maximum information
available. The library research was done to provide a background
for the study. While it is to be admitted that not all that was
required was obtained from the library, substantial literature was
available on the concept of tourism and its growth or development,
cultural resource management in Africa etc.
This work comprises two main parts. Part one deals with
written materials. Part two is solely the oral interview.
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END NOTES
1 Andah, B.W (ed): Cultural Resource Management: West
African Journal of Archaeology University of Ibadan Vol. 20,
1990.
2 Okpoko P.U., Issues in Tourism Planning and development,
Nsukka: Afro-orbis Publishing co. Ltd.
3 Ibid
4 Ward, J. et al (1994): The impact of the Leisure and tourism
industry in Advance leisure and Tourism Stanley Thames Pub-
Ltd.
5 Okpoko Opcit
6 Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart, London: Heinemann
Educational Books Ltd, 1958.
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CHAPTER TWO
CONCEPTUAL REVIEW OF TOURISM AND CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
2.1 DEFINITION OF CONCEPTS
Cultural resources refer to those rich non-material and material
attributes acquired within the society and transmitted through
generations. Included among them are the diverse beliefs, festivals,
diets, architecture, dances, drama, iron working, wood and stone
carving etc, characteristics of a given society.
Management, according to World book dictionary means
managing or handling; control; direction1.
Tourism is the act of travel away from home, mostly for the
purpose of recreation or leisure. Tourist, according to the World
Tourism Organisation, are people who travel to stay in places
outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive
year for leisure, business and other purposes not related to the
exercise of an activity remunerated from within the place visited 2.
This means that tourism involves visits to places other than ones
domicile for pleasure and from where one does not receive a salary.
The League of Nations in 1937 recommended that tourism
covers the social activity of those who travel for a period of 24
hours or more in a country other than the one a person usually
lives in. However, the limitation of this definition was that it
excluded domestic and emphasized only in international tourism.
The Rome conference on Tourism in 1963 adopted the
recommendation to replace the term tourist with the term visitor
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and defined tourism as a visit to a country other than ones own or
where on usually resides and works for tourism and excursion 3.
The term tourism has to do with people moving from one
place to another for pleasure without any intent to earn money.
2.2 ORIGIN OF CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
The concept of cultural resource management originates as a result
of trying to transform history from study telling to a vigorous
scientific search for the truth. The ultimate, objective of cultural
resource management (C.R.M) according to Andal, B.W, is to
enable Africans properly reconceptualize and revolutionize their
history from a truly African perspective as well as universal one 4.
This leads properly to the needed transformation of ideas from a
proper conceptualization of her material and temporal cultural
resource.
2.3 ORIGIN OF TOURISM
In tracing the origin of tourism, Ascher (1985) says that tourism
finds its origin in the word tour which renowned travelers used to
embark on a Europe5. In the 18th century, according to him, young
British aristocrats embarked on grand tours, which doubled as a
reward and initiation process-initiation before the commencement
of adult life. In the course of these tours, places of interest are seen
and diverse experiences encountered which equip the sojourner
with the ability to face the challenges of li fe. Halloway (1989)
believes that trade played a prominent role in these tours as goods
were bought and resold to make profits. He opines that even though
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these travels proud very hazardous, as well as arduous, the
eventual gain assured at the end compelled people to undertake
these travels even with the attendant risks.
Asher narrates further that in the 19th century however,
tourism became a wide spread leisure activity for the upper middle
class and aristocracy in Europe who had the ardent desire to intake
the English way of li fe. Tourism he says was also boosted by the
first world war when world peace was threatened, and there was
need to create an atmosphere of peace, even if it was deriding
people were encouraged to travel.
According to Leonard et al (1997) the concept of tourism is a
recent invention, which came into existence in the 18th century 6.
In their view, the industrial revolution of the 18th century resulted
in the distinguishing of the richer elite class who had the privilege
of engaging in leisure and travel while the lower class worker in
situ.
Another stimulant, which boosted the growth of tourism at the
same time in the 18th century , was the introduction of cheap and
safe travel, which resulted I shorter time duration for journeys.
However, these scholars are quick to point out that transport did
not create tourism. Wealth in the form of disposable income, they
emphasize, was needed for the development of tourism.
Word et al(1994) point out that all forms of tourism involve
movement from a place of residence to a destination7. In tracing
the history of tourism, these scholars say people always traveled to
famous destinations for particular reasons. For example, people
traveled to seek medical cure in places like Bath and Chettenhem.
Then according to them as the population grow so also the demand
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for accommodation and entertainment. At that time, tourism was
just the preserve of the rich.
While acknowledging the difficulty inherent in giving a concise
history of origin or development of the concept of tourism, it is
important to point out that people all over the world had always
travelled or visited places but the concept of tourism as it is today,
developed when people started realizing the huge economic
potential inherent in tourism. On the part of the tourism, it is a
great relief when tours are planned and packaged for him and all
that there is for him to do is to choose his location. For the
investors, the more tourists that are encouraged to travel, the more
profit to be made. This realization initiated, increases in
international travel.
According to Ward et al (1994), when the exhibition at crystal
palace was successfully held in 1851, huge numbers of visitors
from far and wide attended8. Due to the celebrated success of the
extinction, Thomas Cook was inspired to organize his first overseas
exhibition in place like America, Italy and Switerland. The opening
up the suez canal in 1869, made place like India and the far east
accessible.
The origin of tourism notwithstanding, tourism is now a
worldwide phenomenon. There are now man organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, engaged in tourism activities.
The concept of tourism is now being adopted by both developed and
developing nations as well as individuals and organizations as a
veritable economic tool.
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2.4 THE IMPACT OF TOURISM
The impact of tourism could be felt in the following areas:
Economy
Employment and income generation
Environment
Social and cultural impact
2.4.1 Economic Impact
Most countries embark on tourism to generate funds. In discussing
tourism and foreign exchange earnings, Leonard et al classified
earnings into hard (convertible) currencies include the U.S Dollar,
German Dutch Mark, Japanese Yen and Swiss France. Soft
currencies are currencies which cannot be easily converted and
examples are the Nigerian Naira and Thai bath.
Most governments, especially in the developing countries and
even individual proprietors encourage visitors from developed
countries who often have hard currencies to spend. The money
generated is used in maintaining tourism facilities as well as
investing in other projects. However, estimating the actual amount
of this hard currency that comes into a country is rather difficult.
This difficulty stems from the mode of distributing resources in
tourism. According to Leonard et al (1997), A German tourist who
goes on vacation to Sri Lanka in an Air Lanka DC 10 air craft which
was manufactured in USA, and while in Sri Lanka he stays in a
foreign owned and managed hotel. When he goes out to east, he
eats Austrialian beef and drinks French wine and scotch whisky9.
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This kind of tourist spending provides opportunity for what Leonard
calls leakages. These leakages include payments for imported food
for tourists, expertise, materials and sometimes labour for building
and infrastructure development, repayment of loans and interest
secured abroad to finance tourism development, commissions paid
to foreign travel organizer etc.
2.4.2 Employment Impact
Lea, J. (1988) says that in the case of employment in tourism, it is
difficult to actually estimate the benefits expected vis--vis
geographical distribution of employment, the over all contribution
to national, regional and local economics10. He also goes on to
classify the three types of employment associated with tourism. The
first is the direct employment from expenditure on tourism facil ities
like hotels. The second is the indirect employment resulting from
businesses influenced by tourism on a secondary level like local
transport and handicrafts.
Concerning the developing or third world countries he draws
attention to the fast that intensive tourism does not necessarily
result in more jobs and that the type of work skills available locally
influence employment. He cautions that tourism may also take
employees away from other sectors of the economy or offer part time
employment, which in the end would not actually ameliorate the
menace of unemployment.
For Leonard et al (1997)16, employment associated with
tourism is categorized into two direct and indirect employment.
Direct employment is associated with jobs, which are specially
created by the need to supply and serve tourists. Indirect
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employment deals with jobs of other sectors of the economy, but
which to a large extent, influence tourism activities 11.
These scholars also acknowledge that getting actual statistics
of jobs offered by tourism is quite difficult even in the developed
countries and reliable statistics can be obtained by carrying out
special surveys. They also agree that tourism is labour intensive
and creates more jobs than a similar unit of capital invested in
another sector.
2.4.3 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
In discussing the environmental impact of tourism, it must be
stressed that there are positive and negative impacts and tourism
per se does not endanger the environment but rather, poor planning
and poor management of tourism could lead to the depletion of the
environment. However, as more emphasis is being placed on
strategies aimed at creating global awareness for the conservation
of the environment, there is now need for proper tourism planning
to eradicate as many forms of pollution as possible which could be
associated with tourism.
The negative impacts of tourism on the environment according
to Leonard et al (1997) include water pollution, air pollut ion, noise
pollution, over crowding and congestion, land use problems,
ecological disruption, damage of historic and archaeological sites
and improper waste disposed12. Just like earlier mentioned, these
negative impacts could be reduced to barest minimum with proper
and effective environmental planning at all levels national and
regional. Some highlights of environmental planning include
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establishing development objectives, synthesis, plan formulation,
recommendation and implementation.
Lea, J (1988), in discussing the environmental impact of
tourism draws attention to the fact that there are different
priorities for the different nations. While the developed nations may
realize the harmful effects of tourism on the environment, the
developing nations are concerned with providing acceptable
environmental conditions that will attract visitors to their
environment. He also agrees with Matheson and Wall that tourism
could have positive effect on the environment especially in the third
world countries. He lists these positive effects as rehabilitation of
existing buildings to new uses, conservation on natural resources
and lastly, the introduction of planning procedures and controls to
ensure good management of the environment. These include
permanent restricting of the environment, the generation of waste
products, tourist activities and population effects.
Ward (1994) agrees with lea (1988) that there must be an
acceptable environmental standard expected by visiting tourists.
Meeting this standard at times may lead to tampering with the
environment. These adverse effects, he says, could be seen in the
areas of deforestation, generation of extra rubbish and sewage by
visitors, demand on resources like power and water, even in places
where there is insufficient quality for the local people, concentrated
coastline development, l ittle regulations on the springing up of
bars, restaurants, souvenir shops etc which settlements, heavy use
of air, water and land transport by both leisure and tourism
interests etc.
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19
2.4.4 SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACT
To effectively assess the socio-cultural impact of tourism, attention
must be paid to two vital groups- the host community receiving the
tourists and the tourists themselves. Jafari (1982) says that even
though these two groups should be studied, a distinction must be
made between imported culture associated with the visitor and a
more specific tourist culture13 which he describes as a way of l ife
practiced by tourists while traveling.
In dealing with the host community, Pearce, D.G notes that
demographic, social ethnic and linguistic difference may occur and
that it is also necessary to identify what particular groups or
sections might be affected in a particular way 14.
Commenting on the social and cultural impact of tourism,
Leonard et al (1997) caution that the impact should not be
generalized or exaggerated. They point out that in a nation where a
segment of the society may experience the impact and not all
sections, it is wrong to generalize. They cite an example- tourists
visiting large countries like India, Concentrate in defined areas and
it will be erroneous to portray the whole of India as experiencing
the impact. They point out also that many scholars like de Kadt
(1976). OGrady (1981) and Lea (1981) tend to dwell on the radical
socio-cultural impact of tourism on the host community without
effectively exhausting the probability of whether these changes are
beneficial or not.
Tourists are often accused of not being sensitive to indigenous
culture of host communities. They are seen as coming to the host
community to upset existing culture and value. Is it not expecting
too much that these visitors should come into the host community
and leave unnoticed? The influence on the host community should
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20
be expected, but what should be done is to reduce to a barest
minimum any adverse effect their visit may have on the host
community.
To achieve this result, scholars like Leonard et al, Pearce and
Figuerola emphasize the need to eliminate the possibilities of
having these adverse effects during the planning period. However,
among the main socio-cultural effects of tourism are:
Tourists are often accused of being insensitive to prevailing
situations or conditions in the host community. Even though, as
earlier explained, this crime is not intentionally committed. Unless
the tourist is made conversant with the customs and norms of the
places he intends visiting, it becomes difficult for him to exhibit
appropriate sensitivity of the prevailing customs.
Tourists from the developed countries who visit the developing
countries may leave a false impression of aff luence with the
indigenes aspiring for what is not readily available. Again, tourists
do not intentionally commit this offence, as in most cases, they are
not even aware of the havoc they cause.
The needs of the host community are often relegated to the
background, as the planners of tourism our preoccupied with
efforts aimed at providing maximum satisfaction to the tourists. In
other words, tourism (mostly in the developing countries) is
practiced at the expense of the local populace. According to
Marshal P.; one of the reasons why Tanzanians do not support the
government investing in tourism is that instead of providing
facilities like swimming pools, golf courses and right clubs for
visiting tourists, Tanzanians need good well, latrines, roads and
houses, money for the modernization of agriculture and the
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21
modernization of agriculture and the development of indigenous
technology15.
Tourism has also been associated with the prevalence of
prostitution in most communities. Lea J, recounts how young girls
(as young as 13) are lured away from their homes to become
prostitutes for tourists in clubs16. Studies carried out by scholars
show that tourism does not initiate prostitution. In these societies
where these studies were conducted, prostitution existed among the
local populace and was not necessarily a response to the needs of
tourists.
Tourism has also been said to lead to the cheapening of
indigenous art where cultural objects are cheapened and mass
produced for tourists. Traditional ceremonies are known to be
faked, just to please visiting tourists.
In enumerating the positive socio-cultural effects of tourism,
Leonard et al say the include:
Ensuring the long-term conservation of cultural values and
may renew local traditions.
Contributing to the rebirth of local arts and crafts and
other traditional activities.
Help in reviving the social and cultural li fe of the
community. Pearce (1988) quoting Mings (1988), says that
from the studies carried out in Barbadas, tourism could be
said to promote international understanding17.
Having discussed the impact, it is important to ment ion that with
proper planning the adverse effects of tourism could be totally
eliminated or reduced to the barest minimum. Pearce (1988)
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22
advocates that impact assessment should be done while planning
for tourism. Scholars should be done while planning for tourism.
Scholars Morgan (1983) and Philip (1974) have also stressed the
need for an appraisal of the would-be impact of tourism.
Philips, P.H. Says
In theory, at least the burden of proof now falls on
the person or group wishing to disturb the
environment. It is necessary for them to show that
the proposed action will not impair environment
quality or that social benefits of the action will
outweigh the social costs.
To effectively carryout an impact assessment analysis, Pearce,
D.G advocates the use of Potters Methodological framework. He
says that the primary importance of this framework is that when it
is broadened and modified, it can be used not only for assessing the
environmental impact, but it can also be used for assessing the
social and economic impact of tourism.
Potters methodological framework consist of the following
steps:
Examine the available context environment, society and
economy. The soil, vegetation relief, fauna, climate and the
relationship between these must be studied.
The prevalent factors in the society curn population size,
demographic composition and ethnic, social or religious structure
must be considered.
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23
The national, regional and local state of the economics must
be studied- is the economy developed, developing, depressed or in
decline?
Forecast future of tourist development, does not proceed or
had proceeded.
Examine tourist development
Forecast future if development proceeds. Examine what
happened when development occurred.
Identify in qualitative and quantitative terms differences
between step 2 and 4
Suggest amelioration measures to reduce adverse impacts.
Analyse the impacts and compare alternatives (where
available)
Present the results
Make a decision
2.5 PROBLEMS OF CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Cultural sites and resources which include archaeological sites,
historic towns and sites, Museum and monuments of various
dimensions, sacred groves and shrines, festivals as well as other
relics of the past that serve to remind us about the past of Nigerian
peoples is best with a lot of problems. It has the problem of
inadequate funding. There is need for adequate fund in order to
ensure a proper management of cultural resource. This funding
level of cultural resource management is not encouraging and for it
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24
to impact positively on the economic growth of the country, the
funding mechanism should be overhauled.
Secondly, there is the problem of inadequate promotion of
cultural resources. There should be proper funding for cultural
resource promotion in order to attract tourists and water down the
negative image about Nigeria. At both the domestic and
international fronts, the national orientation Agency (N.O.A) should
embark on image laundering intimating the people of the
attractions in Nigeria and the hospitality of her people.
Anambra state, like other states of Nigeria, still lacks the
desired trained manpower to enable her appropriate the economic,
social and cultural benefits of tourism and cultural resource. Many
of the practitioners in Nigerias tourist trade today are non
professionals. It is therefore important to recruit professional
experts, train and retain them to meet the present challenges in the
cultural resource management. Most African countries that are full
members of the World tourism Organization have not taken
advantage of the organizations training programmes.
Local government performed negligible role in the management
of cultural resource. Nigeria has a very dynamic population and if
this dynamic population is researched and examined, Nigeria will
start enjoying the benefits of domestic tourism. The current
provision whereby committees are used to prosecute tourism
projects at the local level is not good. The local governments in
Nigeria should be brought into the mainstream in tourism
development because most of our tourist attractions are in the
rural locality.
There is also need for the provision of good security networks
that would ensure crime free society of the cultural resource
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25
management. Government should place priority on crime control on
our highway. Security should be guaranteed in shopping centres,
markets and taxis through proper education and control as well as
reward system for honest people. With information technology at
our doorsteps, tourists should have easy access to good
communication in order to connect people across the world.
There is also the problem of inadequate infrastructure in
tourist centres. Most of the countrys tourist centres are not easily
accessible. The provision of access road should be given top
priority. The present roads are inadequate and there are no proper
road signs. Abandoned vehicles on the roads and potholes also
constituted hazards to travelers. Tourism and cultural resource can
only survive if good road systems that will enable tourist enjoy their
journey and appreciate the immediate environment are in place.
There is also need for good and constant water supply, electricity
supply, good sewage and drainage system etc.
Tourism and cultural resource management will grow if
government gives proper attention to the provision of
infrastructures and a good enabling environment. Tourism and
cultural resource management is a capital intensive activity that
requires sufficient budgetary allocation to execute the numerous
programmes to make them viable. The multiple taxation charged
hotels by different tiers of government in the country has not really
contributed to the growth of the sector. Government needs to
introduce some incentive to encourage tourism and cultural
resource practitioners.
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26
2.6 THE CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS OF TOURISM AND CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Tourism and cultural resource management in Nigeria are faced
with many challenges.
The major problem is lack of funds. This has brought hardship
to cultural experts who were once equipped to meet with rescue and
emergency cases in archaeology and ethnography.
Secondly, construction firms engaged in roads, mining and
building construction should be mandated by government to employ
archaeologists to monitor, excavate, rescue finds, report on exposed
or discovered sites and at least provide the requisite finds to
universities or the museum to carry out research on such work.
This is how several sites were found in the course of the conduct of
the archaeology of London.
Disaster planning and conservation of all monuments and
sites must be considered along with their development, not until
there is earth quake or as the aftermath of f ine disaster.
We need more conservation legislation to correct or fit in with
Urban planning, and thus check the uncompromising attitude of
leaders who want to neglect or destroy old things for new ones. The
absence of cultivated and appreciative interest by many Nigerians
particularly those in authority has adversely affected the
conservation of cultural heritage.
Deconsecration of monuments and sites through theft,
religious fanaticism, politics and sentiments is a major problem
thwarting efforts in conservation and development. According to
Andah B.W, highlighting the challenges and prospects of tourism
and cultural resource management, he stated that international
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27
syndicates especially in theft of Nigerian antiquities have brought
set-backs in conservation of these resources18. Natural rulers,
chairman, councilors and leaders of local government areas will
have to be enlightened on the need to preserve historical materials
in their areas of jurisdiction. So they take up the responsibilit ies
of educating their subjects and preventing theft and destruction.
The history of this country will be distorted if these leaders are
allowed to replace place names, street names and converting
cemeteries into play grounds in the name of modernization.
Decentralization, and the setting up of museums in the state,
local and rural areas are essential if rural dwellers are to have the
opportunity to appreciate their own cultural prowess and those of
their neighbours and other related groups as expressed through
rich material cultural items. It is also necessary to embark on a
systematic programme for training high level staff in conservation,
so that property catered for, including items of Nigerian cultural
property is returned and restituted by European colonial powers, in
response to persistent requests. In this regard, it would help
enormously and be to the countrys economic advantage to
establish a central laboratory to take care of analysis, dating of
materials and research into the technology of ancient materials.
Such as step will at least minimize the cost of doing these studies
overseas as is the case presently.
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28
END NOTES
1 Thorndike Barnhart; World Book Dictionary: Field Enterprises
Educational Corporation.
2 WTO (1998) Tourism and the Enterprise Technical Report
Series No.18.
3 Rome Conference on Tourism in 1963
4 Andah, B.W (ed.); Cultural Resource Management: West
African Journal of Archacology University of Ibadan vol 20
1990.
5 Ascher; Tourism, Transnational Corporations, and Cultural
identities: UNESCO publication.
6 Leonard et al (1997); an Introduction to Tourism: Reed
educational and Professional Publication Ltd.
7 Ascher J.O Opcit
8 Ibid
9 Leonard et al (1997) opcit
10 Lea, J. (1988): Tourism and Development in Third World:
Routledge New York
11 Leonard et al (1997) opcit
12 Ibid
13 Leonard et al (1997) opcit
14 Pearce, D.G; Tourist Development: Longman Group. Hong
Kong.
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29
15 Marshal, P.: Tanzanias controversial industry in Africa,
Report African-American Institute.
16 Lea, J. Opcit
17 Pearce, D.G; Opcit
18 Andah, B.W (ed). Opcit
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CHAPTER THREE
TOURISM AND CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN ANAMBRA STATE
This study attempts to review Tourism and cultural resource
management in Anambra state from 1960-2010. Anambra, before
1991 was one state but was later divided into Anambra, Enugu, and
Ebonyi when Nigeria President, Sani Abacha created more states.
This thesis will however concentrate on present-day Anambra
and Enugu states has been the capital of the eastern region right
from the colonial era, and can boast of more tourism infrastructure
(not natural resorts but tourist facilities) purposely built by
government, organizations and individuals for economic and
entertainment purposes, than Anambra and Ebonyi. But due to
time and funds, this thesis will dwell largely on the tourism and
cultural resource management in present day Anambra State. It
must be admitted that Anambra state is rich enough to provide the
required information on the cultural resource management.
Cultural materials in Nigeria date to the early stone age period
which dates back long before 100,000 years ago. By about 11,000
years ago, late stone age hunters/ gatherers would seem to have
been exploiting most of Nigerian up to at least, the forest fringes
(e.g. the Iwo-Eleru finds which include (microlithic tools, pottery
and skeletal remains). People using and making pottery were
already present in parts of Nigeria (e.g. the Jos Plateau, Northern
Nigeria) at about the 5th millennium B.C(show 1978). From the 5th
century B.C. technological and cultural entities like the Nok
(mainly terracotta Figurines and sculptures), with sites like Taruga
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31
contain evidence of iron working. Terracotta objects were also
recovered from Ife in South Western Nigeria.
Nigerias cultural heritage also include stone and pottery
artifacts and bronzes from Diama in north eastern Nigeria, rock
painting and rock-gong of Birninkudu (northern Nigeria), the Igbo-
ukwu (9th century (A.D), Ife and Benin (12th to 15th century A.D)
bronzes, the various art in woodwork and calabash found in many
parts of Nigeria, traditional woven mats and cloths, musical
instruments and masquerades found in different parts of Nigeria.
Nigerias traditional architecture is represented by various palaces
(including defensive walls) of old empires or states for example the
palaces of traditional rulers and chiefs in parts of eastern Nigeria.
Apart from housing, such cultural materials like ivory, bronze and
carved wooden objects and institutions like (temples, shrines and
palaces) were preserved as monuments in their own right. Some
natural features like caves (for example Ogbunike cave in Anambra
State) were also maintained as monuments.
Persons responsible for organizing and preserving the cultural
materials included the head of each household, priests of various
shrines and any of the kings or chiefs officers.
In Anambra state, head of household was in-charge of his
familys temple. In such temples, cultural materials like or bronze
amulets, wooden status (Ikenga) or images of deities were kept. The
head of the household or (in some cases) priests took care of ritual
objects like iron gongs, ivory trumpets, drums as well as stone or
clay images of deities kept in the shrines.
These heads or priests acted more or less as curators, taking
care of these objects. Wooden and iron bronze staffs, statues and
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32
thrones, ceremonial regalia of past kings kept in the royal palaces
were taken care of any of the kings officers.
3.1 CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN THE COLONIAL PERIOD
According to Andah, B.W, Nigeria cultural objects were looted
by Europeans for example during the Bini punitive expedition 2.
Most of these objects are found in various museums and rich mens
houses in Europe. It was during the colonial period that modern
museums began. In 1927, Mr. Kenneth Murray, an art teacher in
the British colonial service, was appointed to advise the government
on the effects of the colonial education system on local art3. It
was while performing the assignment that Murray made a personal
collection of several Nigerian are forms. Later he advised the
government on the establishment of museums and the proclamation
of relevant laws to prevent the il legal exportation of Nigerian works
of art. However, because of second world war, Murrays
recommendations for the establishment of museums in three
centres in Nigeria could not be implemented. Murray was therefore
permitted to continue with the purchase of antiquities pending the
building of a permanent centre for the preservation of the cultural
objects4.
The Nigerian antiquities service was established on July 28,
1943 in response to appeals by concerned Europeans like Murray
and Duckworth and education officer. In 1946, Mr. J.H.
Braunhottz, a keeper in the department of Ethnography of the
British Museum, was sent to Lagos by the colonial off ice to advise
the British government on the preservation of Nigerian cultural
resources. In 1947, Mr. B.E.B. Fagg, a trained archaeologist and
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33
assistant surveyor of antiquities, Mr. Fagg carried out much
archaeological work in Jos Plateau and helped in the establishment
of Jos Museums in 1952 in which most of the archaeological
materials have been preserved to this day. There was excarvation at
Igboukwu in 1959 by Thurstan Shaw.
Clear-cutlegislations to prevent the indiscriminate acquisition
and exportations of Nigerians cultural materials was not instituted
until 1953 when the antiquities ordinance No 17 was passed. This
bill provide for the creation of the National Department of
Antiquities and charged it with the responsibility of exploration,
care and preservation of antiquities or works of art, and provided
also for the control of exportation of works of art from Nigeria5.
Subsequent laws such as the Antiquities (export permits) regulation
of 1957 and the antiquities (prohibited transfer). Decree of 1974
were enacted to check the illegal exportation of cultural objects
from Nigeria. The department of antiquities, however, saw to the
establishment of museums in Nigeria to preserve these cultural
objects. today, there are 29 federal museums in Nigeria, and at
least one in each state6. apart from these national museums owned
by the federal government, there are other state and privately
owned museums which are open to the public. These include
museums of the various state Arts councils, the Igbo-ukwu
museums and Ofo Nri museum (owned by late Igwe Osita Agwuna of
Enugu-Ukwu) both in Anambra State. In the palace of several kings
and chiefs in many parts of Nigeria, there are mini museums in
which paraphernalia associated with the crown and other objects of
cultural significance are displayed. Museums are also found in our
higher institutions of learning mainly the universities. There is also
the Odinani Museum at Nri, Anambra State with local collections
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34
but sponsored by the institute of African studies university of
Ibadan.
3.2 TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN ANAMBRA STATE
The Nigeria tourism board was established by decree No 54 of 1976,
which also established a tourism committee in each state of the
federation. Even though, the tourist board decree was established
in 1976, the Anambra state committee on tourism was formally set
up in 1987. Tourism in the state was handled by a section of the
state ministry of commerce and industry prior to the setting up of
the committee on tourism. In 1992, this committee on tourism was
upgraded and redesigrated Anambra state hotels and tourism
board7.
The federal governments interest in embarking on the
development of tourism led it to launch a tourism policy, which
designated tourism a preferred sector of the economy like
agriculture and the oil industry. Consequently, the federal ministry
of trade and tourism. With decree No 81 of 1992, the Nigerian
tourist board metamorphosed into the Nigerian tourism
development corporation. With this development, the state
governments upgraded their tourism committees to state tourism
boards while tourism committees were set up in the local
government areas.
Meanwhile, the state creation of 1991 resulted in the division
of old Anambra State into Enugu, Ebonyi and Anambra States.
According to a report of the Anambra State Tourism Board
(AHTB/TB/1). The immediate long-term programme of the board
had been to use local resources to develop:
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35
Agulu Lake
Ogbunike cave
By using local government chairman, councilors and vil lagers to get
the immediate vicinity cleared, construct makeshift access roads,
set up batchers, benches and other minor infrastructure for picnics
etc in order to attract citizens of the state and other Nigerians to
know Anambra state and what it has to offer in terms of recreation,
culture and natural beauty.
In the long run, each of the major projects would be developed
fully using:
Indigenous private entrepreneurs (local contractor finance)
Foreign investors and foundations, who may wish to invest
in tourism.
According to this report, efforts were made sometime by the state
government to build up Agulu Lake into a vibrant star hotel and
safari type hotels, concessionary stores, swimming and fast-boat
yachting, spot fishing and a crocodile zoo. The architectural
drawings of the above were already being prepared.
The report also said that a survey of the 20-hectare land
encompassing Ogbunike cave was being carried out. A short-term
programme for the immediate use of the cave had been drawn up.
The state government has already requested the federal government
to take over the long-term development of the cave because of its
unique nature.
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36
3.3 EXCAVATIONS AT IGBO-UKWU BY THURSTAN SHAW
Igbo-ukwu is located in Anambra state and about 40km south-east
of Onitsha which is just on the Niger. It was here that the earliest
discovery of Igbo bronzes and beads was made in 1922 when a man
called Jonah Anozie was digging some clay to build his house. The
news did not spread and very few people knew about it.
The better known discovery was the one made in 1936 by
Isaiah Anozie, Jonahs elder brother. Isaiah was digging a well in
his compound and after about 60cm from the ground surface, he
came across some beads and bronze objects. Some of the objects
looked strange to the people of the town but some Hause traders
discovery soon spread and reached the district officer at Awka, who
later visited Igbo-ukwu and bought some of the bronze objects, part
of which he donated to the Nigerian Museum, Lagos, when it was
built in 1950. As there was no archaeologist in Nigeria by then, no
excavation could be arranged until 1959 when an archaeologist,
professor Thurstan shaw of Cambridge, was invited by the
government to study the site.
While negotiating with the owners of the land for permission
to excavate the site, professor Shaw was informed of another site
nearby, discovered when a man, called Nwangwu was digging a
well for Jonahs younger brother, Richard. Nwangwu had not gone
very deep when he found some wooden board and strange clay that
looked cement, he became afraid and could not continue to dig.
So it was covered. When professor shaw heard the story, he became
interested in this second site as well and so decided to excavate the
two sites. Professor Shaw was in Igbo-ukwu in 1959 and excavated
the two sites called Igbo Isaiah and Igbo Richard and returned to
England in 960. Professor Shaw came back to Nigeria in 1963 as a
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37
professor of the university of Ibadan. It was then he was told of the
earliest site discovered when Mr. Jonah Anozie was digging clay to
build his house. As expected he became interested in this site and
returned to Igbo-ukwu in 1964 to excavate it. This third site was
named Igbo Jonah. So in Igbo-ukwu we have three sites named Igbo
Isaiah, Igbo Richard and Igbo-Jonah which are very close to one
another as they belonged to three brothers.
3.3.1 IGBO ISAIAH
Digging was done near the 1938 discovery and the following objects
were found: a bronze pot, a bronze bowl, large bronze snail shell a
bronze snake ornament, an elephant head and stone beads. These
objects were found in a rectangular area with pot-holes, suggesting
they were in a small store and abandon during a raid or war and
forgotten. With time, the house collapsed and flood covered the
objects with sand and clay. Shaw after examining the objects,
suggested they were sacred objects used for some ceremonial or
ritual purposes.
3.3.2 IGBO RICHARD
The site is just a few metres west of the first site. It was the site
where Nwangwu found some wooden board and strange clay that
looked like cement while digging a well. Shaw did not dig very
deep before he discovered he was digging a royal tomb. The grave
measured 7 feet long, 4 feet wide and 13 feet deep. Above the roof
of the chamber, were the skeletons of about five individuals, one or
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38
two were probably women wearing copper bracelets. These were
surely the servants and wives dispatched to accompany their lord to
the land of the dead, so the people believed. Shaw was of the view
that the king or Ozo titled man was buried in a sitting position and
surrounded by many gave goods. The grave goods include 100,000
assorted leads, ivory tusks, bronze leopard skull, etc. How could
the burial be interpreted? A belief in l i fe after death which
archaeologist first noted during the middle stone age and which
probably was the beginning of our spiritual evolution which today
has gone so far is suggested here.
3.3.3 IGBO JONAH
This site was a pit in which some ceremonial objects were hurriedly
dumped, perhaps during a raid or war. In this site, some bronze
bells were found. Other finds were a cylindrical bronze staff
ornament, 15 bronze bracelets, some clay pots, including a giant
pot with modeled snakes and hundreds of assorted beads.
3.4 EXAMINATION AND ANALYSIS OF FINDS / SIGNIFICANCE
3.4.1 DATING OF THE SITES
The observation made about the age of the Igbo-ukwu finds was
that no European made goods were found in any of the sites. There
were also no cowries, no manilas nor clay smoothing pipes. That
was why professor Shaw even before the C-14 dates suggested the
objects were over 150 years old, i.e. before the coming of the
Europeans to the coast.
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39
Six charcoal sampler were sent for dating and dates ranging
between 700 A.D and 1500 A.D were obtained. Accordingly,
professor Shaw accepted 9th century A.D or about 1000 years as
the age of the sites.
3.4.2 THE SIGNIFICANCE
In summarizing the significance of the archaeological of the
archaeological research in Igbo-ukwu, one may state as follow:
First it has helped people to know more about the history of
the people of south eastern Nigeria. It has shown that as far back
as the 9th century A.D., there existed in south-eastern Nigeria:
a distinctive artistic tradition
trade with the outside world
highly skilled metal and textile craftmen
well developed social institutions
a considerable accumulation of social wealth
The artistic tradition or style of Igbo-ukwu is quite distinct from
that of Ife and Benin. The bronze objects of Igbo-ukwu were made of
real bronze (Copper and Tin) while those of Ife and Benin were
made of brass, i.e. copper and zinc. The Motific of decoration of
Igbo-ukwu were also different. The Igbo-ukwu motifs are mainly
geometric although some are metamorphic.
Over 100,000 beads were found in Igbo-ukwu sites. It is
possible that a few of the beads were locally made but experts
reported that some of the beads especially the polychrome beads
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40
were imported from Venice-by trans-sahara traders. The casting
metals, namely copper, tin and lead, according to shaw were
imported across the sahara during the trans-sahara trade although
this was disputed by professor M. Onwuejeogwu who claims that
the metals could as well have come from Enyigbo near Abakaliki in
Ebonyi state. It is a fact that copper, tin and lead are found in
Enyigbo and that they were exploited by the 9th century A.D.
Whatever be the case, the people of south eastern Nigeria had
contact with the outside world through north Africa. The veritian
and Indian beads could have been imported during the trans-sahara
trade.
There are some objects and motifs in Igbo bronzes that be to
some social institutions that were highly developed. A few examples
may be mentioned Bronzed bells, Ichi facial marks, ankle ropes,
elephant tusks, perforated canine tooth pendant, coiled snake
ornaments, beads, etc. Most of the above belong to the Ozo
institution or society.
The textile and metal craftsmen that made the little cloth
fragements found and the bronze pot and vessels employed very
sophisticated technique indicating that they were very competent
artisans.
The bronze objects, beads and other artifacts found in Igbo-
ukwu meant a lot of wealth especially in a society like 9th century
Igbo where trade was by barter. The owner of such wealth in our
society today may be regarded as a millionaire.
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41
3.5 A CRITIQUE OF THE MANAGEMENT OF TOURIST ATTRACTION IN ANAMBRA STATE
The federal government, has realized the magic of tourism as a
revenue generator but in Anambra state adequate attention has not
been given to it. Tourism boards are no longer tenable, it is now
part of the ministry of information and culture without clearly
defined functions. The unit has few staff with limited knowledge
and awareness of what tourism is all about. The method of funding
this tourism unit hinders the growth of tourism in the state.
Adequate fund is not allocated to it.
According to study carried out on English Tourism Board by
Pearce, D.G. he said that in 1998, the English Tourist board
received as much as 25.7 million8. This grant from the central
government was used in funding more than 400 tourist/information
centres as well as other tourism activities. If the British
Government can invest such as amount of money in tourism in a
year, it shows that it has such high expectations from tourism. It
also conveys the high degree of seriousness which the government
has for tourism. For tourism to be placed on the right pedestal, the
tourism unit should be separate and federal government should
invest more in the industry and should also fund the tourism unit
directly.
In addition, the headship of the tourism unit should not be
used for political gratification, experts should be recruited to
manage the unit. According to the workers in the tourist sites, the
state government seems to be more interested in talking tourism
policy and strategies for development, instead of carrying them out.
In spite of the lip service being paid to the encouragement of
tourism in Nigeria, almost nothing has been done to see that
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tourism (both domestic and international) development is geared
towards generating revenue for the country just like oil and
agriculture. Also, if Anambra state expects to generate an
appreciable amount of revenue from tourism, it should invest a
reasonable amount annually in the industry. In developed
countries like Britain, Tourism boards act as agents of the
European investment bank, which provides medium-term loan for
projects in the designated areas?
Apart from offering funds to would-be invested the state
tourism unit should strive at creating tourism awareness amongst
the populace. As earlier mentioned, the average Nigerian hardly
relaxes, since he is always trying to overcome economic hardship
and as such, rarely makes out time to relax. As a result of this,
tourism is regarded as a past time of the rich. It is also seen as
borrowed culture. this lack of tourism culture is hampered by the
level of development and literacy in Nigeria. The tourism unit
should mount awareness campaigns and should not wait for the
government to initiate programmes before they can be carried out.
These campaigns should be carried to schools and even villages.
The local government should be integrated into the programmes of
the tourism unit. This awareness campaign should be carried even
to the tertiary institutions in inculcate the tourism culture into the
minds of future policy makers.
Furthermore, the state government should turn Igbo Ukwu site
into heritage sites. According to information gathered, the efforts of
their royal highness Igwe . To turn the site into heritage sites
has been frustrated by the people who misunderstand him to be
selling out the site. Government involvement in development of
Igbo-ukwu sites and equipment of the Archeological Museum to
attract tourists is needed.
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In the case of management of Ogbunike cave, there is absence
of government presence. The infrastructures are not adequate. No
permanent staff for proper documentation and statistics. The good
access road promised by the government has not been adequately
provided. The site is yet to be called tourist attraction.
The government has also promised to turn Agulu Lake into a
holiday resort but all the promise is only a lip service nothing has
been done. The place has been cleared for six months now but no
serious construction has been carried out. The government should
follow-up their projects. Many of the tourist board set apart for
tourism with a clearly defined functions.
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END NOTES
1 Shaw, T (1978), Nigeria- i ts archaeology and early history,
London: Thames and Hudson, 1978.
2 Andah, B.W (ed): Cultural resource management: West African
Journal of Archaeology University of Ibadan vol. 20: 1990.
3 Ibid
4 Ibid
5 Emejulu, H.I: Development of Tourism in Anambra State:
Prospects and challenges In Ngozi Orjiakor and G. Okafor
(eds), Nigeria peoples and culture. Enugu, John Jacobs pub.
Ltd (2003).
6 Ibid
7 Ibid
8 Report of Anambra State Tourism Board (AHTB)TB/1),1992.
9 Pearce, D.G, Tourist Development: Longman Group. Hong Kong,
1989.
10 Emejulu, H.I. Opcit.
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CHAPTER FOUR
4.1 TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN ANAMBRA STATE
Many festivals are celebrated in Anambra State. These include
Ofala Festivals, New yam Festivals, Mmanwu Festival, Uzoji
Festival, Nwafor Ogidi). Afia olu (Nnewi). Some of these festivals
have been turned into tourist attractions.
Apart from festivals celebrated all the year round by different
communities to mark one socio-cultural event or the other.
Anambra state is endowed with cultural attractions, which would be
of immense interest to tourist. These include shrines, caves, lakes
and erosion sites.
4.2 SITES
4.2.1 OGBUNIKE CAVE
Ogbunike cave is as old as Ogbunike town itself. It is located in Oyi
Local Government Area of Anambra State. This town has become
famous because of the cave found in it.
According to the local population, the cave covers the entire
span of the town; consequently the town is the same size with the
cave.
At the entrance to the cave, there is spring water. Spring
water as well as a waterfall could be found inside the cave. The
water from this spring is believed to be medicinal. The people of
Ogbunike believe that a god is in control of the cave. In the olden
day, when serious crime were committed, the suspects are taken to
the cave and were made to wash with the spring water. If after
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washing they come out safely from the cave, they were considered
innocent. Where they did not come out safely, their guilt would be
established and the god usually consumed them.
The cave is made up of tunnels and chambers whose numbers
have not been ascertained. The exit cut of the tunnels is found in
every vil lage of the town.
The cave is considered safe by the local inhabitants and as
such, no harmful animal can live in it.
The Ogbunike cave is a place, which has continued to attract
visitors. However, this cave is yet to receive the proper attention it
needs to reflect its history and importance.
4.2.2 HABBA SHRINE
This shrine is located in Agulu town in Anaocha local government
area of Anambra state. The godless of this shrine is known as
Habba and is a godless of protection, justice, prosperity, love and
creativity.
When this deity was at the height of its potency, it had its own
government machinery, which determined how Agulu town was
administered.
The goddess had its own police and standing army called Ili
nelu Agulu. The police protected the people who out of oppression
in their various communities, had taken refuge in the Habba
shrine. The shrine is a venue for oath taking and keeping of
covenants.
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This deity, which brings fertility and rich harvest, is consulted
on various issues and in the case of a serious dispute is the final
aubiter and no one dares question its verdict.
4.2.3 AGULU LAKE
Is found in Anaocha, Agulu Lake is a large lake and is presently
used for fishing and irrigation. The natives of Agulu use the water
in solving their domestic problems.
The lake has potentials of this lake as a great tourist centre
lie in the fact that it has not been tampered with, in any way by
civilization. It sti ll offers that natural exoticism that tourists pay to
see.
According to information gathered from Chief M.O.C Enemuo,
one of Agulu Village leaders, he said that the lake was owned by
Umu-Owelle vil lage, Umubialla and Okpu ifite. The lake flows from
Agulu through Nimo to Obiaja Nnobi to Idemili Obosi and finally to
River Niger. There are many crocodile in the lake and nobody dares
to kill it. They said that the crocodile does not harm anyone unless
the person is evil.
The location of this lake adds to its attraction. It is removed
from the noise of the town. It offers a conducive environment for
relexation.
Nature has done its part in endowing the town with such a
beautiful lake. All that is required to complete a perfect picture of a
revenue generating resort centre is the building of a cambsite,
preferably a five-star hotel.
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4.2.4 NANKA EROSION SITE
Anambra site, probably because of the nature of the soil, can be
said to be prone to erosion.
A task force was sometime set up to provide the actual
instances of gully erosion in the state and an alarming number of
more than four hundred gully erosion site in Anambra state were
identified.
The most prominent erosion site in Anambra state is the
Nanka erosion site. This site is located in Orumba North Local
Government Area. The Nanka erosion site is a deep and extension
gully covering several square kilometers and a couple of hundred
metres deep. The erosion exposes different soil formations and soil
straka. Many buildings have been encaved into these gullies.
Some biological and engineering erosion control measures
have been take to control the erosion menace at Nanka.
The erosion site at Nanka, even though a calamity, has been
turned into a tourist attraction for visitor to the site.
4.2.5 NKWO IGBO SHRINE, IGBO-UKWU
The Nkwo Igbo Shrine is the sanctuary of the Nkwo deity. It is the
goddess of security, economic growth and victory. The goddess has
a chief priest and other priests through whom she communicates to
the people. According to a legend, she alerts the people of Igbo-
ukwu of any impending danger and even leads them to wars in the
form of a one-legged woman with a large fan in the right hand.
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She fishes out liars who swear falsely by her via instant or
mysterious death. If duly consulted through priests, she offers any
kind of assistance to groups or individuals.
4.2.6 MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES
The creation of new Anambra state helped immensely in the
development of the existing museums in the state.
These museums include the Igbo-ukwu museum, which
represents the state museum. The Obu Ofonri museum is a private
museum developed by the Igwe of Enugu-ukwu within the complex
of his palace.
The Odinani museums was built at Nri town by the community
and assisted in its development by the development of Archaeology,
university of Ibadan. Nri is located in Anaocha local government
area of Anambra state.
The Igbo-ukwu museum now serves as an institution, which
provides facil ities for information and studies in history,
anthropology, archaeology and material culture of the Igbo people.
It also serves as a venue for art exhibitions, seminars and
workshops. Replicas of the finds made by Thurstan Shaw, a
renowed British archaeologist as well as other art works are
exhibited in the museum.
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4.3 FESTIVALS
The importance of festivals in Igboland cannot be over emphasized.
Each community sets apart certain times in the year to
commemorate one event/festival or the other.
Usually, these festivals offer opportunity for socialization in
different forms. Visits are exchanged; new dances and masquerades
are presented and new attires are worn to suit the occasion. These
festivals are integral parts of the communities. They tell the stories
of these communities. The celebrations have become so interwoven
with the li fe of the communities that in spite of influences like
colonialism, Christianity and education, the festivals have
continued to exist. They have been passed on from one generation
to the other.
4.3.1 UZOJI FESTIVAL
The Uzoji festival is celebrated by the people of Umuoji in Idemili
North Local Government Area of Anambra State. Umuoji is made up
of twenty-five villages, each village has two village heads- male and
female. The female village head is not necessarily the oldest female
villager but the female whose marriage is the oldest in the vil lage.
The present Igwe or traditional ruler of the town is His Royal
Highness Akum M.A. Nweze (Anu mmili). He comes from Ire village.
The leadership of Umuoji is rotatory.
Coming to the festival, Uzoiyi festival is as old as the town. It
is celebrated in the middle of March every year to mark the
beginning of the farming season. The choice of March for the
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celebration may have to do with the fact that there is less chance of
having rainfall during the month of March.
Preparation for the celebration lasts twenty-eight days and
festival is heralded by the appearance of a night singing
masquerade known as Onyekulufa. In preparation for the festival,
women are expected to clean the environment. The clearing however
is a carried out by heathen women who have not embraced the
Christian faith. After cleaning the stream, the stream will be
cordoned off from the public. This cleaning is usually done on a
Friday. Then the following day (Saturday) will be the festival proper.
A lot of different dishes are prepared and friends and relations
invited from far and near.
In the olden days, the houses (usually made of mud) are
beautified out new decorations made with Edo-yellow Ochre and
Nzu (white chalk). A smooth pebble often got from the bed of a
stream is usually used in rubbing and smothering the walls and
floors of the hut after which the decorations can be drawn.
Different motifs are used in the decorations.
The women are also expected to fetch enough water before the
stream is closed.
In the past, the venue for the celebration of presently it is
done at the Umuoji Stadium. Each village is expected to bring at
least a masquerade. A particular village takes care of the weather
control to ensure it does not rain. In fact, it is an abomination for
rain to fall on Uzoiyi day. If it dares happen, the village responsible
for the weather control will be f ined. Any village, which does not
present a masquerade either, will also be fined.
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A native doctor-dibia is always in the arena to ensure that the
festival is devoid of unruly behaviour from performers and
expectation
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