Nigeria boasts a wealth of diverse cultural celebrations thanks to its multicultural communities. The geographical layout of the country is particularly conducive to hosting numerous festivities. Many of the resources required for showcasing Nigerian culture are readily available but often remain untapped.
This article explored the potential of cultural festivities in leveraging these resources for sustainable development. It adopted an environmental determinism perspective, positing that human activity is significantly influenced by the physical environment.
Culture is a way people make a living. As social beings, humans belong to groups that share distinct cultural traits including behaviors, beliefs, language, cuisine, attire, festivals, and religion. This collective knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors serve as a guide for group cohesion and identity formation. Culture shapes our interactions within our group and distinguishes us from others, aiding in problem-solving.
Hence, lifestyle practices vary across geographical locations, with each state exhibiting its unique customs. Festivals and holidays, rooted in cultural heritage, are integral parts of societal organization. They serve as occasions for communal joy or reflection and are celebrated at specific times throughout the year. These diverse cultural expressions are not only capable of attracting tourists nationally and internationally but also contribute to the world economy, especially when communities showcase their cultural attire.
African countries like Nigeria possess rich cultural festivals steeped in mythology, presenting opportunities for revenue generation. Festivals often commemorate ancestral appreciation for guiding communities through planting seasons and providing protection. They feature traditional music, magic, masquerades, and distinctive attire, drawing attendees from all walks of life and fostering a sense of reunion among indigenous peoples.
Festivities and Physical Environment
Variations in geographical factors such as location, terrain, climate, soil, and vegetation profoundly shape human activities and consequently influence cultural celebrations in a given area. Climate, in particular, emerges as a pivotal determinant of cultural practices. Societies inhabiting tropical regions, where life is often perceived as “easier” due to warmer climates, may exhibit tendencies towards inertia and underdevelopment. Indeed, environmental conditions exert a notable impact on the customs and traditions of communities, including their attire and culinary habits. For instance, dietary patterns differ between inhabitants of colder regions, who require more substantial food intake to generate sufficient calories for coping with their environment, and those in warmer areas.
Furthermore, the environment influences the artistic expressions of culture, reflecting both the materials readily available in a region and the thematic elements inherent to the local culture. Traditional approaches to examining the relationship between geography and religion historically involved theological inquiries into the natural world, adopting an environmentally deterministic viewpoint.
This perspective acknowledges the role of geographical settings in shaping the character and evolution of various religious traditions. Indeed, religions are not immune to environmental influences. For example, Buddha, born in a hot region afflicted by heat and humidity, conceptualized his notion of heaven as “Nirvana,” signifying the cessation of all activity and individual existence. This environmental influence extends beyond general cultural practices to religious beliefs and observances.
In Nigeria, for instance, the dominance of Christianity in the South can be attributed to early interactions with missionaries, while Islamic culture prevails in the North due to historical trade connections with Arab merchants. Consequently, religion significantly impacts the nature of festivals and cultural events, with many festivities tracing their origins to religious practices. Some argue that religion, as an integral aspect of culture, wields substantial influence over people’s lives, encapsulating beliefs in supernatural entities and delineating codes of worship and social conduct.
Festivals serve as vital components of our cultural legacy, providing avenues for the exhibition of Nigeria’s rich and diverse heritage. They represent enduring traditions passed down through generations, underscoring the significance of heritage as a composite of human and natural endowments. Nature, therefore, assumes a crucial role in shaping the foundation of cultural festivities, as communities adapt to their respective environments. The environment influences various facets of daily life, including occupations, dietary choices, clothing preferences, religious affiliations, and architectural styles, ultimately contributing to the cultural tapestry of societies worldwide.
Culture and Development
The role and potential impact of culture on overall economic development remain significantly undervalued. This is evident in the questioning of why public funds should be allocated to cultural festivities, reflecting the challenge of elevating cultural policy issues to a priority level, as they are often perceived as economically unproductive endeavors. Drawing from the knowledge of European economic frameworks and policymaking, it is argued that cultural sectors have traditionally been viewed as minor, low-productivity branches of the economy reliant on external subsidies rather than engines of economic growth.
As a result of this misconceived perception, cultural activities often become primary targets for funding cuts during periods of economic downturns. However, there is a growing recognition of the potential for culture to drive sustainable development, exemplified by numerous successful instances of culture-led development in cities, regions, and even countries. Efforts to quantify the economic contributions of cultural and creative sectors in Europe have garnered attention from administrations at all levels, prompting increased investment in culture-focused development policies.
The misunderstanding of culture’s role in socioeconomic dynamics perpetuates outdated conceptualizations, hindering the realization of its true value in fostering societal cohesion and economic growth. Cultural exhibitions, for instance, represent products with global export potential, offering opportunities for cross-cultural exchange and enriching experiences for individuals seeking novelty and self-actualization.
Consequently, individuals with significant financial resources and social standing may choose to invest in supporting cultural producers, not only for personal enrichment but also as a means of enhancing their social status and reputation. Patronage of culture can thus serve as a pathway to further bolstering one’s social standing while generating income that can be channeled towards regional development initiatives.
Culture has become a significant aspect of tourism worldwide, extending beyond highly developed nations to include countries traditionally categorized as part of the “third world.” For these nations, tourism plays a vital role in their economic development strategies. Cultural festivals, in particular, play a vital role in stimulating industrial growth and development because culture demands diverse activities and resources, thereby creating markets for a wide range of goods and services. These include modern printing, photography, entertainment devices, broadcasting services, textiles, food products, transportation, and accommodation services, among others. This not only facilitates large-scale production of goods but also makes them more accessible and affordable to consumers.
Moreover, cultural festivals offer the opportunity to organize and showcase various cultural exhibitions, fostering understanding and acceptance of diverse cultural heritages among people from different backgrounds. This contributes to building a harmonious and crisis-free society by promoting collective consciousness and cooperation at national or regional levels, thereby fostering peaceful coexistence. Additionally, as attendees participate in cultural events, they contribute to the local economy by spending money on goods and services, thereby generating a multiplier effect as income circulates within the host community.
Culture also serves as a platform for creativity, as all cultures have unique ways of expressing themselves artistically. This includes performing arts such as music, dance, theater, and film, as well as visual arts like architecture, painting, sculpture, and textiles. Furthermore, culture promotes literature through poems, folk tales, and stories, enriching society’s cultural tapestry.
On the flip side, cultural festivals help prevent the loss of indigenous cultures by encouraging people to embrace their own cultural heritage, thus mitigating the risk of cultural clashes and the extinction of local traditions. By celebrating cultural diversity and preserving historical roots, cultural festivals contribute to the preservation of collective identity and societal cohesion.
Bottom Line
Nigeria’s diverse cultural celebrations, facilitated by its multicultural communities and conducive geographical layout, remain underappreciated despite their potential for economic development. Cultural festivities serve as essential platforms for showcasing heritage, fostering understanding, and stimulating industries. Investment in cultural sectors can drive sustainable development, bridging societal divides and promoting global exchange.
