UNIT 4 TOURISM: MONUMENTS AND
3.1 Short History and Peoples of Nigeria
Nigeria is a country endowed with both human and material resources. It is situated in West Africa on the Gulf of Guinea and bounded by countries of Cameroun in South-East, Niger by the north and the Republic of Benin in the West east and its being washed through the Atlantic Ocean in the South. Nigeria lies within the tropics between latitudes 4 and 14° north of the equator and longitude 3 and 14 east of Greenwich Meridian.
The country has a land mass area of 923,773 square kilometres with Rivers Niger and Benue running through it to form
tributaries in the Southern part of the entity. Nigeria now has a population of about over 120 million people consisting of various groups. Prominent among them are Yoruba, Igbo, Rausa, Edo, Efik, Fulani, Ijaw, Kanuri and host of others. "
Nigeria is an entity which came into existence in 1914 with
amalgamation of the Northern and Southern British protectorates.
The people of Nigeria have a rich history of migration, fusion of people, the rise and fall of empires, slave trade that occurred in the dark ages, in places like Badagry and Calabar and more
importantly, British rule. Beside its abundant mineral resources which are found in every a ngle of the country, Nigeria is also blessed with natural fertilised land which is ideal for agriculture.
What is most interesting about the country is her people, especially the major tribes of Yoruba, Rausa and Igbo. These people are so distinct that it is believed that the best stock of Negro in the world originated
from Nigeria. '
In Nigeria, it is of most importance, that one only needs to look at the cultural continuum which begins with the Nokkterra cottas including (Yoruba) terracotta and bronzes from Benin, Jebba and Tada to show show the type of development that have taken place from the first millennium (BC) through to the 20th Century AD.
3.1.1 Yoruba
Y oruba is a race believed to have migrated from Saudi Arabia through its progenitor, Oodua who settled at Ile-Ife, Osun State. Their major
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trade is fanning and they are very accommodating and socially inclined. They are not only good in wood carving, but also very proficient in metal works and stand out as the most profuse sculptors in Nigeria.
This is located in the South West area of Nigeria consisting of six states i.e, Oyo State (lbadan) Ondo State (Akure), Ogun State (Abeokuta), Osun State (Osogbon), Ekiti Sate (Ado-Ekiti), Lagos State (lkeja) and they could be found in some parts of Kwara and Kogi States in the Northern belt. Lagos was formerly the capital City of Nigeria.
Prominent among their festival celebrated yearly include Osun Osogbo, GeledelEgungun in IIaro Yewa Local Government of Ogun state, Oke' Badan in Ibadan, Igunu in Abeokuta, Agemo in Ijebu land, Ogun in Ondo and Eyo in Lagos among a host of others.
Y oruba also boast of very interesting tourist attraction located in serene areas such like Olumo Rock in Abeokuta, Osun Osogbo in Osogbo, Ikogosi Warm Spring in Ondo State and Erijiyan, Ekiti, Idanre Hill, in Ondo State, Bikikisu Sungbon Shrine in Ijebu-Ode, Lekki and Bar Beach in Lagos, University ofIbadan Zoological Garden in Ibadan etc.
These people are rich in dressing apparels which include Buba, Sokoto and Agbada (a three-piece traditional dress) with Abeti-Aja Cap to match and Dansiki with Kembe. These styles are designed with locally made materials such as Aso Etu, Aso Oke and Adire (Batik) etc.
3.1.2 Hausa
It was a general belief that Hausa who are scattered all over the Northern Coast of Africa also migrated to Nigeria from Saudi Arabia and their leader was Uthman Dan Fodio who then used Sokoto as the headquarters from the region. The tribe is predominantly Muslim and they have unbridled love for natural things such as fanning, cattle rearing and production of hide and skin. .
Other unique aspect of the Hausas is their architectural
awareness. A visit to the city of Kano, Sokoto, Borno and other cities in the emirate will confirm this. They are also good in leather work of different designs and styles.
Hausa are located within the 23 states of Nigeria i.e. Kaduna, Sokoto, Jigawa, Taraba, Niger, Kwara, Kogi, Bauchi, Borno, Katsina, Benue, Zanfara etc. This tall-looking tribe also has a number of festivals to their credit. The Argungu festival in Sokoto state, where young men compete in the river for the biggest "fish catch" while the winner goes
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home with attractive prize. Also Durbar festival which other North African countries like Niger, Algeria and Morocco take part involves the use of a lot of horse-men dresses in colourful dexterity in horse-riding.
Talking about dresses, Hausas also have similar dressing attitude with that of Y orubas. They deck themselves in Agbada, Dansiki which are made of Aso Etu or Aso Oke. They also sleeve attire with Taji cap to match and it is usually used for prayer.
Places of tourists' interest in the northern part of the country include Yankari Games Village and N araguta which is the leather village of J os among others.
Hausas are very transparent in their dealings with other fellow human beings. Hence, the introduction of Sharia in the region, accordingly to them, to stamp out social vices from their society.
3.1.3 Igbo
This set of people represents a crop of natural aggressive but humble souls who have the reputation of being able to survive anywhere in the world, no matter any condition or situation. One needs to see an Igbo man in his natural setting to reall y appreciate the kind of stuff these people are made up of. Igbos are essentially ardent businessme n. No one can take away from Igbos their business acumen which no tribe in Nigeria surpasses. They can sell dunes to the Arabia.
These people are located in the South-East side of Nigeria within five states: Imo, Ebonyi, Abia, Anambra and Enugu. Igbos are culturally inclined and they don't hide it anytime they hold festival. Among their prominent festivals are New Yam festival which signifies the harvest of new yams and it is celebrated with unbridled candour
During these festivals, series of : groups entertain the audience.
Prominent among them is Atilogu dancers, known for their naturalistic approach to dance while employing all parts of the body in the act. It is an age-grade dance performed by dancers in unison who follow a leader in a wide variety of movement and aerobatics displays.
Tourists' attractions also abound in Igbo land in all the five states.
Be that as it may, Nigeria and its people are now busy creating enabling environment for prospective foreign investors to have a peaceful and prosperous stay in any part of the country. This was evident during the last visit of Mr. Bill Clinton former President of the United States of
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America who freely moved amidst the height and the low people of Nigeria.
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 1
Name the six states in the South West of Nigeria 3.2 Festivals in Nigeria
Through these ethnic groups comes a plethora of festivals which are unique in themselves in terms of the expression of the artistic sensibility of the people and rich cultur al splendour. It is not the conferment of a cultural identity for an ethnic group but is also rooted in their socio-religious life.
As religious events the festivals are used to pay obeisance to their gods for almost every aspect of the people's life: fertility, economic prosperity, health, clement weather, bumper harvest etcetera. All thee are reasons for festivity. In addition, these festivals are a means of forging unity among the people and engendering the spirits of oneness.
However, if there is any period these festivals have become necessary, it is the present in the light of the trend} awards globalization. They have become necessary for ethnic groups to showcase their culture through them; if for no other reason, to preserve their cultural identity from obliteration.
To do this, each ethnic group stages its festival at a particular period of the year as dictated by their taboos and other peculiar reasons
Besides the socio- political and religious dimensions of the festivals, they have become veritable means of cultural tourism. The Nigerian festivals are even more interesting because. of the diversity, depth and the period each festival is staged. The time frame avails local and international tourists the opportunity to go on an excursion round the country and capture live, the rich and entertaining festivals that take place at different time and parts of the country.
Some of the festivals are:
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3.2.1 Durbar
The Durbar festival is staged both in Kano and Katsina, all in the northern part of Nigeria. Ii is a spectacular parade of horsemen, resplendent in their various sections of each emirate. Traditional equestrian regalia, converge to pay homage to their Emir.
The festival is normally held during the two Islamic celebrations, Sallah, The beauty of this festival is in the sheer size of the horsemen and the interplay of the bright and colourful tradition costumes worn by the horses and horsemen.
3.2.2 Osun Osogbo
The festival is tagged in honour of the goddess of fertility in the month of August. This religious cum tourist festival attracts people from
Nigeria, West Indies and other parts of the world. Worshippers dance in procession to River Osun, the abode of the goddess, whom myth
actually has it, turned from human beings to a river.
3.2.3 Mmanwu
Mmanwu means masquerade. Masquerades in Igbo traditional and culture plays an important role. They are believed to be incarnates of dead ancestors that visits the living to entertain, guide and bless their living offspring. The festival comes up in the month of November, in the East.
3.2.4 Rive Fest
This annual festival is staged in Port-Harcourt: Colourful display of masquerades from the riverine area and both regatta are the hallmark of the festival. The appeal is the riverine ambience and beautiful decorates boats with participants swaying the rhythmic and pulsating beast of traditional musicians. There are festivals all over Nigeria round the year
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at least one a day. To attend any festival contact NTDC or your Tour Operator.
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE
Name the kinds of festivals and their locations in Nigeria.
3.3 (i) Museum and Monuments
Nigeria boast of the finest collection of arts and crafts as well as rich archaeological relics showing our historical past like Terra Cotta head from the old Nok culture, the famous Benin Bronze art works and the Y oruba exciting sculptures. The great variety of these ancient relics can be found in all the branches of our national museums.
These museums in their own right constitute important tourist attractions depicting aspects of Nigerian cultures, religion, philosophy and ideals.
The national Commission for Museum and Monuments (NCMM) has the responsibility of formulating policies and guidelines for the effective regulation of the Museums across the country.
(ii) The Nationals Council for Arts and Cultures
This is the body responsible for the coordination of cultural and artistic development in Nigeria.
Specific Functions
1) Promoting and fostering the appreciation, revival