October 2023

Volume 06 Issue 10 October 2023
Traditional Retirement: “Igba Uche” Cultural Festival and its Contributions to Tourism Development in Ohafia, Abia State, Nigeria
Joy Nneka Uchenye Ejikeme
Humanities Unit, School of General Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
DOI : https://doi.org/10.47191/ijsshr/v6-i10-61

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ABSTRACT

The cultural festival has been known to provide an opportunity for a group or society to influence their preferences and beliefs. Crucial research into festivals has shown that festivals are one of the most vital tourism products and are also essential to society. The study aims at documenting and examining the contributions of the Igba Uche festival to tourism development in Ohafia. The rationale of the research is that the tourism dimension of the festival has not been studied. The study made use of a qualitative research approach in which interviews, participant observation, and focus group discussion were used to gather data. The findings show that this cultural festival has contributed to the community growth and tourism development. New infrastructural facilities were built for the comfort of the people, especially as the government pay little attention to development at all level.

KEYWORDS:

Tourism, cultural festival, tourism development, tourism product, Ohafia.

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List of Informants

1) Kalakak, I., c. 59, lecturer, interview held at Ndiuduma Awoke on February, 2022

2) Ojakalu, C., c. 64, farmer, interview held at Ndiuduma Awoke on February, 2022

3) Nnate, K., c. 48, trader, interview held at Elu on February, 2022

4) Eyinnaya, J., c. 57, interview held at Elu on February, 2022

5) Ukpai, K., c. 65, Farmer, Focus Group Discussion held at Akanu on February, 2022

6) Idiakalu, O., Undisclosed, Farmer, Interview held at Akanu on February, 2022

7) Eyinnaya, P., c. 57, Trader, Interview held at Elu on February, 2022

8) Uduma, K., c. 62, Farmer, Interview held at Elu on February, 2022

9) Miracle, C., c. 75, Farmer, Retiree, Focus Group Discussion held at Amanugwu on February, 2022

10) Samuel, N., c. 68, Farmer, Focus Group Discussion held at Amanugwu on February, 2022

11) Umeh, O., c. 55, Civil Servant, Focus Group Discussion held at Amanugwu on February, 2022

12) Onwuka, E., c. 71, Farmer, Focus Group Discussion held at Eben on February, 2022

13) Ibemulu, E., c. 50, Civil Servant, Focus Group Discussion held at Eben on February, 2022

14) Ochu, U., c. 80, Retiree, Focus Group Discussion held at Eben on February, 2022

15) Uduma, C., c. 45, Bank Official, Interview held at Amaekpu on March, 2022

16) Ukpaizor, C., c. 63, Trader, Interview held at Amaekpu on March, 2022

17) Uchechi, K., c. 83, Farmer, Interview held at Amaekpu on March, 2022

18) Ikpo, R., c. 63, Trader, Interview held at Elu on February, 2022

19) Ochu, C., c. 72, Trader, Focus Group Discussion held at Akanu on February, 2022

20) Nwankwo, C., c. 65, Farmer, Interview held at Ndiuduma Awoke on February, 2022
Volume 06 Issue 10 October 2023

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