




































CHAPTER  9: 
THE STATE OF ART AND CULTURE IN NIGERIA:  

A CATALYST FOR THE ADVANCEMENT  

OF CULTURAL FIESTA 

 

Contributed by 

Benjamin Ejiohuo and Vivian S. Davies                                                           

 

INTRODUCTION 
Many continents and nations rely on tourism, a worldwide 

phenomenon that is still spreading around the world, to earn 

foreign exchange. Some nations and regions use it as part of their 

overall development strategy to lessen economic inequality and 

diversify their economies. Recognized as a favourable means of 

development by many governments around the world Telfer, 

2015); although difficulties of new problems and trends have 

usually benefited the global economy, it is an increasingly 

competitive sector (Kim, Uysal & Sirgy, 2012). Despite the 

challenge threatening tourism globally, tourism is one of Africa’s 

fastest-growing economic sectors and one of the highest employers 

of labour (African Development Bank, 2015). 

Due to the presence of numerous cultural communities, 

Nigeria is rich in cultural celebrations. Nigeria's geographical 

layout is so favourable that it serves as a foundation for many 

celebrations. The majority of the prerequisites for a Nigerian 

cultural display are not standard, making it simple to mobilise the 

resources that are currently available but mostly untapped. This 

chapter sought to describe how cultural celebrations could be used 

to tap into cultural resources for sustainable development. The 

paper also comes from the environmental determinism school of 



Benjamin Ejiohuo and Vivian Davies 

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thought, which holds that a man's behaviour is strongly influenced 

by his immediate physical surroundings. 

Africa is home to a plethora of vibrant festivals and rites 

that are as enthralling as they are unique. They are mostly utilized 

to appease or deify cosmic powers over which man has no control 

before they influence his environment. At other times, such 

festivals are held in the pursuit of relaxation and enjoyment for the 

benefit of society and its citizens. The cornerstone of a person's 

culture, which is their way of life and values, is their past. Culture 

is the basic link between nature and man. Nonetheless, it is the only 

tool that man has to deal with nature. According to Jell-Bahisen 

(2014), a person's culture is a part of their history and is critical to 

their individual and collective identity, productivity, and progress. 

These festivals and ceremonies serve a specific purpose as well as 

satisfy a particular need in society. Such needs, most of the time, 

are the same, but the mode adopted to express them differs from 

one society to the other. The operational definitions of the concepts 

of art and culture are beyond the scope of this study. However, it is 

important to note that art and culture are interchangeable with the 

lives and living patterns of a group of people. Culture, according to 

Fasuyi (1973) and Bur (1987), is the total of a society's way of life. 

 A society without culture is a society that has died. Culture 

can be defined as the learned, created, and shared patterns of 

behaviour and thought by people living in social groups. It 

separates one human group from the others, as well as humans from 

other animals. A person's culture includes this/her beliefs, 

language, rituals, art, technology, styles of dress, ways of 

producing and cooking food, political and economic systems, and 

is the sum of a person's way of life. This evolved in response to the 

challenge of living in their environment and gives order and 

meaning to their social, political, economic, aesthetic, and religious 



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norms and modes of organization. For this paper, this definition 

will be sufficient as it is in line with the United Nation’s definition. 

Art and culture represent what people are renowned for, whether it 

be what they do or say. For example, in Nigeria, culture is 

expressed through art, dance, dressing, language, and even the 

environment. Nigeria is known for its vast diversity of art forms, 

including music, dance, sculpture, drama, painting, pottery, 

installation art, and so on. These art forms can be found all around 

us, our culture, carnivals, and festivals, such as the Argungun 

Festival, New Yam Festival, Iria Saki Festival, traditional boat 

regatta, Eyo Festival, and Inagha Festival, play an important role 

in the lives of our people. It's crucial to consider the significance of 

festivals. 

  Festivals are defined as an organized series of acts and 

performances (usually in one place), feasting, and celebration, 

according to the World Web Dictionary (2019). Festivals are 

occasions for feasting and the periodic celebration of a feast or 

religious significance. Furthermore, carnivals are annual public 

festivals characterized by revelry and processions, as well as 

disturbances suggestive of a large public entertainment. 

 

Culture, Art, and Tourism 
Because a person's way of life is their identity, which is expressed 

via art, culture and art are like twin phenomena of human existence. 

Art has an impact on society because it can change people's minds, 

inculcate ideals, and translate experiences across places and time. 

Art, in this sense, is a form of communication that allows people 

from many cultures and eras to communicate with one another 

through visuals, sounds, and tales. 

Our culture includes art, people should place a high value 

on it. It is the manifestation of our imaginative and creative ideas. 

The key thing is that they can turn their thoughts and imaginations 

into something solid, even if it is subject to other people's 



Benjamin Ejiohuo and Vivian Davies 

144 

 

understanding and appreciation. This study suggests that using 

indigenous knowledge of people's socio-cultural values through 

eco-tourism is critical. In this way, the people's history and culture 

are preserved and sustained in harmony with the built environment, 

to the advantage of both locals and visitors. Let's have a look at 

what a festival is, according to the Wikipedia Encyclopaedia 

(2009), a festival is "an event generally enjoyed by a community 

and centering on some distinguishing trait of that group, its 

religion, or its traditions." It is frequently observed as a mela or eid, 

a local or national holiday. "Festivals, according to this definition, 

are occasions for feasting or celebration, particularly a day or 

period with religious importance that recurs. An organized 

succession of feast celebrations. A festival is an example of 

globalization as well as the interaction between high and low 

cultures. Aside from religion and folklore, agriculture is a key 

source. Harvest time is associated with many events because food 

is such a valuable resource. In the events that take place, religious 

remembrance and thanksgiving for successful harvests are mixed. 

Festivals are frequently used to fulfil certain communal goals, 

particularly when it comes to honouring or praising the gods and 

goddesses. Through celebrations, religious, social, or geographical 

groups can feel a sense of belonging, which helps to foster group 

cohesion. They may also provide entertainment, which was 

especially vital to local communities before mass-produced 

entertainment became popular. Festivals that focus on cultural or 

ethnic subjects also aim to educate community members about 

their traditions; the participation of elders sin haring their stories 

and experiences helps to bring families together. The adjective 

"festival" was first used in the late fourteenth century, and it comes 

from Latin via Old French. A "festival dai" was a religious holiday 

in Middle English. It was used as a noun for the first time in 1589 

(as "Festival"). Feast was first used as a noun around 1200, and it 

was first used as a verb around 1300. The term "feast" is often used 

as a synonym for any large or extravagant dinner in secular usage. 



The State of Art and Culture in Nigeria:  … 

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When the term "festival" is employed, it usually alludes to a 

religious event rather than a film or art festival. The Spanish word 

"fiesta" is used to refer to a communal religious feast honouring a 

patron saint in the Philippines and many other former Spanish 

colonies. (Wikipedia encyclopedia 2009)  

Many festivals have religious roots and incorporate cultural 

and religious elements into traditional activities. Christmas, Eid al-

Fitr, and Eid al-Adha are the major religious festivals that serve to 

celebrate the end of the year. Harvest festivals, for example, 

celebrate the change of seasons. The impulse for a festival can 

come from historical events such as significant military victories 

or other nation-building events. The Ancient Egyptian Pharaoh, 

Ramesses III instituted a celebration to commemorate his victory 

against the Libyans. Royal holidays celebrate dynastic events in 

various countries, similar to how agricultural holidays honour 

harvests. Festivals are frequently commemorated on an annual 

basis. There are different sorts of festivals around the world, and 

most countries use traditional/ cultural events and activities to 

commemorate key events or customs. The majority of them end 

with the consumption of specially prepared food (demonstrating 

the link to "feasting") and bring people together. National holidays 

are also heavily related to festivals. To make participation in 

national festivals easier, lists of festivals are released. 

 

Cultural Festivities in Some States 

In Nigeria, festivals are held to show the culture of a particular 

region at a certain point in time. These festivals help people 

appreciate their cultural history, the way their ancestors lived, and 

their connection to their historical and cultural roots. In the 

majority of the world, communal and seasonal festivals with 

carefully organized cultural activities for joy established by the 

group or supported by other cultural groups or organizations are 

very prevalent. Amazing traditions and cultures are practised in 

Nigeria, some of which are displayed at festivals. Due to their 



Benjamin Ejiohuo and Vivian Davies 

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pomp, pageantry, cultural exhibits, and incredible sights that may 

not be seen anywhere else, these festivals are among the tourist 

attractions that even foreign visitors enjoy seeing. As a result, every 

state in Nigeria hosts more than one interesting cultural event 

throughout the year. Most religions also observe certain major 

festivals, such as Passover, Easter, and Eid al-Adha. 

 

Nigeria's National Festival of Art and Culture 

The National Festival of Arts and Culture is still one of the most 

important cultural events, serving as a great platform for 

stakeholders in the arts and culture industry to interact, showcase 

talents, and project the values of our heritage, as well as foster a 

sense of national identity and peaceful coexistence. It serves as a 

focal point for encouraging creativity in the arts, sciences, and 

technology, as well as maintaining the continuity and progressive 

upgrading of traditional skills and sports to meet modern 

developmental demands. The first all-Nigeria arts festival, which 

was limited to visual arts at the time, participation was restricted to 

a few government-run primary and secondary schools and colleges 

where art was taught (Festac 77, Lagos). More schools are 

incorporating art into their curricula as the number of art teachers 

increases. The trend broadened the extent of festival participation, 

culminating in a remarkable event in 1947 that included students 

from a wide range of schools and universities. On this voyage, the 

event underwent significant changes (NCAC 1990). Although the 

Festival of Unity was created in 1969 to represent the freed Eastern 

States' cultural reintegration, The first Nigerian festival of the arts 

was held in 1970. As a warm-up for the second World Black 

Festival of Art and Culture, the fourth edition was held in Kaduna 

and Lagos in 1977. (Festac 1977). More particular sorts of 

festivals, such as science festivals, literary festivals, music 

festivals, film festivals, and so on, are among the many offshoots 

of general arts festivals. 

 



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Black Heritage Festival 

This is an annual event in Lagos that also includes the Lagos 

Carnival. The festival is a feast of culture and history aimed to 

showcase the richness and diversity of the African heritage. This 

festival takes place in April. Carnival processions are held in the 

streets in remembrance of the slave trade in Africa. During this 

festival, dance performances are displayed about the story of the 

slave trade for seven days of festivity. Art exhibitions and films are 

presented to retell the stories. 

 

Food and Drink Festivals  
A food festival is an event dedicated to the enjoyment of food or 

drink. These are frequently used to showcase the production of 

producers in a specific location. Here are some popular food 

festivals in Nigeria; the Guaranty Trust Bank (GTCO) Food & 

Drink Festival, Abuja Food Expo, Ojude Oba Festival, Eko Street 

Food Festival, Nigerian Food Fair, Lagos International Food and 

Drinks Festival, Rivers’ Bole festival Etc. This are some Nigeria 

annual food exhibition and sales event that projects the diverse 

angles of the food industry by connecting various businesses 

involved in the production and sale of food-related items to a 

cosmopolitan audience of food enthusiasts. 

 

Cultural Festivals in Nigeria 

Kogi State: Every year, the Italo festival brings together all Igala 

sons and daughters, whether they reside domestically or overseas. 

Local music and dancing are performed at Anyigba during this 

festival. The Attah Igala, the Igala kingdom's highest monarch, is 

expected to address the crowd. The Aboko celebration is a part of 

the Igala people's yearly convocation in Idah. One of the major 

occasions in the Igala territory features boat racing and 

entertainment from the local culture.  The Ovia-Osese festival, 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagos
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagos_Carnival
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagos_Carnival


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which is held every year by the Ogori-Magongo people, is another 

event. It deals with the transition of young girls with a strong moral 

character who have reached the age of 15 into womanhood. 

   

Kano State: Sallah Durbar: Kano, which serves as the main hub 

for trans-Saharan trade, is one of the most well-known ancient 

cities in Africa. It has a lot of historical and cultural features to 

draw travellers, particularly during the Sallah festival. The Durbar 

festivities in Kano are well known. It occurs twice a year (1st - 5th 

of Shawwal and 10th - 15th Zul-Hijja Islamic calendar). The emir 

of Kano organizes these incredibly colourful events (Galadima, 

2016). 

 

Eyo Festival: The Adamu Orisha Play, also known as the Eyo 

Celebration, is a Yoruba festival held in Lagos, Nigeria. It is now 

presented by the people of Lagos as a tourist attraction, and it is 

customarily performed on Lagos Island due to its history. The Eyo 

celebration was once celebrated to accompany the soul of a 

deceased Lagos Ruler or Chief and to usher in a new king. On Eyo 

Day, the city's major route (from Carter Bridge to Tinubu Square) 

is blocked to traffic to allow for a procession from Idumota to the 

Iga Idunganran palace. 

 

The Abuja Carnival: Abuja, Nigeria's capital, lies at the centre of 

Africa's most populous black country, and it is poised to become a 

global hub and magnet for cultural, adventure, educational, and 

leisure tourism in Nigeria and beyond. The Abuja Carnival was 

founded in 2005 to display the rich culture and crystallization of 

the Nigerian people's creative energy and cultural diversity. It has 

also become a major international calendar event and is distinctive 

in many respects. 200,000 local and international participants 

attend the carnival, including state and international contingents, 

visitors, volunteers, vendors, exhibitors, photographers, set and 



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costume designers, artisans, students, security personnel, 

paramedics, traffic officers, officials from supporting agencies, and 

media. It's also a "breathtaking photo-event that combines over 250 

cultures and numerous types of entertainment together in Abuja, 

Nigeria's capital city, in several events spanning four days." 

The carnival's events include the Cultural Parade, which 

features all of Nigeria's cultural expressions, and the Indigenous 

Circus Show, which has itinerant performers such as acrobats, 

comedians, fire-swallowers, jugglers, magicians, live animal 

handlers, and jesters. Nigerian cuisine includes Eran Igbe Venison, 

Isi-ewu, Cow Foot, Salted Meats, Fish, Pepper Soup, Ogi, Garri, 

Obe-Onigba, Obe Eja Dindin, Chin Chin, Puff Puff, Spicy 

Scrambled Egg, Waina, Akara, Fried Plantain, Kuli Kuli, Dodo 

Oni, Textiles, Leathercraft, Carvings, Bronzes, Beads, Paintings, 

and Plaited Baskets are among the crafts on display. The 

Processional route begins on Ahmadu Bello Way and continues 

over 7 kilometres, culminating in front of the President and his 

guests at Eagle Square. 

Durbar, a well-established cultural event that is most 

commonly found in Nigeria's northern states, is one of the world's 

longest horseman processions. It also displays the Emirate's prior 

glory before the intrusion of Western civilization. The horses were 

frequently decked with swords that were polished and gleaming, as 

well as expensive traditional headdresses and robes, while their 

riders were usually adorned with rich traditional headwear and 

robes. A boat regatta is a display of the riverine people of Nigeria's 

rich cultural heritage when dancing and gyrations are performed to 

delight and thrill the audience. The regatta is being paraded around 

Abuja's streets and lagoons. Traditional music and dance include 

Koroso Dance Music from Kano State, famous talking drum music 

from the Western States, Atilogwu from the Eastern part of 

Nigeria, Jarawa from Plateau, Ekemini music from Akwa-Ibom 

State, and Tiv Swange Dance, to name a few. All of the traditional 

dances are performed in both traditional and contemporary ways, 



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and the music played will include many other forms of 

contemporary dance. At Static Sound Systems, DJs spin modern 

international music from Africa, the United States, the Caribbean, 

and Europe. The Carnival Route is strategically positioned to 

encourage cross-cultural fertilization between local art, culture, 

and the international music scene. Nigeria's top international bands 

and performers are invited to perform at the Abuja Carnival on the 

live stage. The Abuja Carnival is the mother of all Nigerian 

carnivals because it brings together people of various cultures and 

traditions for the improvement of the country and the promotion of 

harmony and peaceful coexistence in the lives of Nigerians. 

 

 
 

Plate 1:  Ceremonial display at Abuja carnival, 2019.   

Source: https://www.informationng.com/ 

 

The New Yam Festival 
The new yam festival is held all over Nigeria, but notably in the 

south. The festival takes place every year from August through 

October, near the end of the wet season. The Iri ji festival (meaning 

"new-yam eating") is celebrated across West Africa (particularly in 

Nigeria and Ghana) as well as other African countries and abroad, 

https://www.informationng.com/


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and it marks the end of one work cycle and the start of the next. 

The festival is a highly cultural event that binds local communities 

together as being basically agrarian and reliant on yam, the king of 

crops. 

Yam is the first crop to be harvested, and it is the region's 

most significant crop. The New Yam Festival is thus a 

commemoration of the importance of yams in the Igbo people's 

social and cultural lives. All old yams (from the previous year's 

crop) are devoured or discarded the evening before the festival. 

Because the event is indicative of the richness of the produce, only 

yam dishes are served at the feast the next day. 

Though the manner and tactics may vary from one village 

to the next, the festival's core components remain the same. The 

celebration may span an entire day in certain towns, whereas it may 

continue for a week or more in others. These celebrations usually 

feature a range of entertainment and ceremonies, such as rites 

performed by the Igwe (king), or the eldest male, and cultural 

dances performed by Igbo men, women, and children. 

Contemporary shows, masquerade dances, and fashion parades are 

among the Igbo cultural festivities. 

The yams are usually offered to the gods and ancestors first 

before being distributed to the villagers at the start of the festival. 

The rite is done by either the community's eldest man,  the king, or 

an outstanding title holder. They also sacrifice the yams to gods, 

the deities, and their ancestors as a gesture of thanks for god's 

protection and kindness in guiding them through lean times to 

abundant harvests without causing them to die of hunger. They eat 

the first yam after praying to god in thanksgiving, as it is thought 

that their status grants them the privilege of acting as intermediaries 

between their communities and the gods of the land. they are 

frequently observed despite more recent modifications brought 

about by Christianity's influence in the area. As a result, the 

pragmatic, religious, and appreciative aspects of the Igbo 

worldview are explained. The yam is cooked in palm oil (mmanụ 



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esi nri) Iwa ji and the Asian Mid-Autumn Festival have certain 

similarities, as both are based on lunar cycles and are essentially 

community harvest feasts. This is a significant event in the 

calendars of Igbo people around the world. The arrival of the new 

moon in August heralds the start of the major  "Iri Ji Ohu" 

festival, but the exact date and style of preparation vary in each 

community. The New Yam festival is an enthralling artistic event, 

the vibrant event is a visual spectacle of cohesion, dancing, joy, and 

feasting; an annual show for community members to commemorate 

the end of the agriculture season; and a festival where the people 

express their gratitude to those who assisted them in reaping a rich 

harvest.                                       

 

Plateau State (Nzem Beron)  

People come to the Nzem Berom cultural festival to celebrate their 

lineage. Every year, in the fourth month, a royal procession, 

traditional dances, and exhibits of cuisine, artefacts, and 

handicrafts are held to honour the occasion. Tarok is another 

festival, the Tarok people of Plateau State celebrate Ilum O'tarok, 

an annual festival that highlights their traditions and culture. 

Additionally, it has helped to unite the Tarok people. Wushiri's 

cultural festival is organized to express gratitude for a great harvest. 

Bokkos L.G.A.'s Kulere ethnic community generally celebrates it 

in January. 

 

Ebonyi State (Aju Festival) 

The Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State is home to 

the Ezeokechima village of Ugwulangwu. This community, which 

has existed for more than a century, is made up of a number of 

settlements, including Amata, Uhuotaru, Mgbom, Ufuezeraku, 

Anene, Anenu, Ufuovoke, and others. The indigenous people 

celebrate their culture annually with the Aju festival, which was 



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handed down to them by their ancestors. It is a time for getting 

together and conversing with the people's deities and ancestors. At 

this time, the people's traditional calendar year ends and a new one 

starts. The exact days of celebration are calculated by the elders 

using the moonlight to calculate the months. Tradition dictates that 

people keep track of the days between important occasions by 

counting the weeks, months, and market days, too. Therefore, as 

the new month begins, people normally appreciate moonlight. 

Their names are derived from the occasions and 

celebrations that take place each month. The following are a few of 

them and notable events observed during the months: The months 

Onwa Aju, Onwa Nta, Onwa Ukoro, Onwa Aju Ogirinya, and 

Onwa Efhuna are a few that are associated with ritualistic events. 

Other names are Onwa Inyima, Onwa Amoha, Onwa Nnamikgwu, 

Onwa Nja-Oba, and Onwa Ji Eze. Additional names are Onwa Ji 

Ofhu, Onwa Nzogbu N'okpa, Onwa Abanifhi, and Onwa Nta 

Achiegwu. 

 

Cross River State (Calabar Festival) 

The "Africa's Biggest Street Party" festival, which takes place 

before the actual carnival, is without a doubt the biggest and best 

leisure and entertainment event in Sub-Saharan Africa. It was 

created with the intention of achieving Cross River State's status as 

the top travel destination in both Nigeria and the entire world. The 

former governor, Mr. Donald Duke, had this vision and wanted to 

make Calabar the tourism hub of Nigeria and all of West Africa 

(Ulom, 2016). It all started with the first edition in 2004. Since the 

event's inception, Esekong and Ibok (2012) reported a more than 

50% increase in visitors to Cross Rivers every December, which 

serves as an excellent platform for people to connect. Since the start 

of the carnival, evidence shows that Cross River State has made 



Benjamin Ejiohuo and Vivian Davies 

154 

 

great strides in the tourist, carnival, and hospitality sectors, proving 

that the state has achieved great success as a popular travel 

destination on a global scale. On the final day of the eleventh 

month, the celebration always kicks off with a tree-lighting 

ceremony in Millennium Park in the state capital, and on the first 

day of the new year, it comes to an end with a special Thanksgiving 

service. The religious function brings to an end the Christmas 

Festival for that year. It requires a remarkable annual turnout of 

more than a million people from all over the world for a total of 32 

days of exciting events and activities (CRTB, 2013). Product 

displays are made by businesses, according to Isine (2015), the 

carnival aimed to better represent local history and culture while 

also enabling the general public to participate in ways that were 

advantageous to them. 

 

Rivers State (CARNIRIV) 

The many cultures and common heritage of the local population 

form the core of Rivers State's tourist industry in Nigeria. This 

heritage, which is as opulent and diverse as it is, is a lovely blend 

of the customs and cultural practices of the many ethnic 

communities that make up Rivers State. The Port Harcourt 

Carnival's franchise rights are owned by the Nigerian state of 

Rivers. It is properly known as the "land of a thousand 

masquerades," the centre of the state's tourism wealth and an 

expressive band of ethnic variances. 

Rivers State, one of the seven states of the Niger Delta in 

Nigeria, includes 23 local government councils, speaks 17 different 

languages, and has more than 300 dialects that are relevant. The 

Festival “Carniriv”, hosts cultural parades, with over 10,000 

dancers, masqueraders, puppeteers, and warriors filling the streets 

of Port Harcourt, the State capital, during cultural parades and 



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performances. The festival highlights this rich diversity. This 

week-long celebration has been frenetic and breathtaking. 

Everybody agrees that the carnival is a sincere celebration of the 

numerous ancient human civilizations, and it becomes more 

significant on a global level every year. The oldest carnival in 

Nigeria is Carniriv, which debuted in 1988. The most notable 

example is Car-niriv '88, which was a spectacular accomplishment 

in Nigeria and had striking parallels to the major modern events of 

the period. 

 

 
 

Plate 2: Revellers take to the water at Rivers State’s Carniriv 

Festival. Source: Rivers State Tourism Development Agency 

(RSTDA) in 2012, 

Abia State 

The Ikeji, Iwaji, and Ekpe festivals are celebrated in Abia, like in 

every other state in Nigeria, on their respective lively traditional 

holidays. To mark important events like the beginning of the 

planting and harvesting seasons, these holidays are commemorated 

all year long. They occur in order to thank God for the fruitful crop. 

http://www.rstda.com.ng/
http://www.rstda.com.ng/


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Ikeji is a celebration of praise, joy, and thanksgiving that happens 

every year in either March or April. There are numerous historical 

and cultural celebrations there. It is filled to the brim with 

mesmerizing views, funny masquerade acts, and captivating 

dances by diverse dance ensembles. The festivals got their start 

with the rituals that signalled the start of the harvest and the end of 

the planting season. 

 

Some Other Cultural Heritages of Nigeria  

Northern Nigeria  

1. Annual Argungu festivals in Kebbi state. 

2. Annual Sallah Durbar in Katsina State  

3. Gidan Hausa in Kano state 

4. Farribachama Annual festival of Adamawa state  

 

Southern Nigeria  

1. The Bakor Yam festival in Cross River state and others  

2. Osun – Oshogbo festival in Osun state 

3. Imo-Awka masquerade ceremony in Awka, Anambra state. 

 

Art Contributions to the Success of Festivals 

The arts play important roles in fostering social cohesiveness. 

Many of these events are centred on cultural or ethnic themes, with 

the goal of informing community members about their heritage. 

They entail community elders sharing their memories and 

experiences, as well as establishing patterns for keeping family,  

Art Galleries and Dealers, Art Instruction and Education, 

Commercial Art, Performing Art, Visual Art, Literary Arts, Events 

and Facilities, Cultural Facilities, Service and Material Providers, 

and others are among the businesses, institutions, individuals, and 

organizations that contribute directly to the production, facilitation, 



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performance, and servicing of the arts and cultural affinities within 

the regional economy. 

Fine art (painting, sketching, music, photography, textiles, 

ceramics, body art, and other visual types are all covered under the 

umbrella phrase "arts festival." Music, film, theatre, the act of 

pouring libation, incantations, and other forms of art are utilized to 

depict the festival's activities during the event. Throughout the 

festival, artefacts and art are employed in the performance of 

various rites and rituals. Those artefacts are merely items to the 

celebrants who maintain the festival's continuity but to the critical 

observer. According to the researcher's observations, most festivals 

will not have values worth examining without art, but this could be 

achievable if and only if the role of art is stressed in the festival. As 

a result, this research was conducted in order to identify the specific 

art forms that play distinct roles in the festival, as well as to provide 

a platform for the analysis of the festival's socio-economic benefits 

in relation to the arts. 

Many benefits are accrued to the host community as a result 

of festivals and special events. As previously noted, these 

advantages include increased social cohesion, a sense of place, 

public goods beyond entertainment, and a socially acceptable 

venue for public activity. People's values and opinions might differ 

within a group depending on how their experiences have shaped 

them. The emphasis of community-based festivals is on the 

economic benefits to host towns and the effects of tourism 

marketing. Residents and visitors can get together to experience an 

event that is different from normal life at these festivals (Huang, Li 

& Chi, 2010). Derrett researched communities in order to learn 

more about how individuals are influenced. A person's space and 

environment influence their values, interests, and aspirations, 

which leads to a sense of community, determines how the 



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community celebrates, affects the community's well-being, and in 

turn, informs the environment in which people and groups define 

their values and beliefs. 

 

Development Potentials of Nigerian Cultural Heritage 

Nigeria stands to benefit a lot if her cultural heritage is adequately 

preserved. It has great potential to boost the country’s economy 

through tourism. When cultural heritages are properly preserved 

and advertised through print and electronic media, they stand a 

chance of attracting tourists from the nooks and crannies of the 

world. This would be a plus to national revenue (NR) and gross 

domestic product (GDP), which will in turn provide more funds for 

the development of the country. Nigerian cultural heritages also are 

capable of promoting mutual understanding and respect among 

Nigerians. For instance, when people attend state or national 

cultural festivals, they will learn to appreciate the various cultures 

exhibited by people in Nigeria and this will engender unity in 

diversity. Museums could contribute to Nigerians’ appreciation of 

aesthetics, relaxation, and leisure, which could go a long way in 

dousing tensions and blood pressure. Some non-material cultural 

heritages such as values of respect, integrity, and dignity of labour, 

will re-orientate Nigerians from materialism to appreciating 

appropriate morally right pursuits and endeavours. All these will 

culminate in a better Nigeria. 

 

Summary 

This research investigated the role of art, culture, and tourism in 

the progress of cultural fiestas in Nigeria. In this way, we 

demonstrate the importance of art in cultural fiestas. Carnivals are 

creative events that serve as avenues for unity, bringing together 

renowned cultural fiestas and exhibitions. The Festival is a means 



The State of Art and Culture in Nigeria:  … 

159 

 

for demonstrating the rich cultural heritage of not only Nigerians 

but the world in general. It brings happiness and strength to the 

lives of people by spreading the message of brotherhood, adding 

structure to the socio-economic wellbeing as well and enlighten us 

about other customs and traditions we do not know about. The 

economy is mobilizing during festivals especially when looking at 

unusual congestion of markets and roads at a particular period of 

the event. Nigerian people living in different areas of the country 

have learned to adapt to their environment as it determines the 

types of culture to practice in that particular environment. Their 

environment affects the type of occupation and businesses they 

have. It affects the kind of food they eat, the home they build 

According to the potential mentioned in this chapter, cultural 

fiestas are crucial instruments in providing leisure for families 

across religions, and tribal and cultural divisions. Art is enjoyable, 

but it also promotes and maintains one’s cultural legacy. Therefore, 

the artist's function as a catalyst in the development of a cultural 

fiesta cannot be overstated. According to the document, art, 

culture, and tourism should be used to establish a sustainable 

economy. 

Art festivals and carnivals benefit Nigerian communities and 

states, as well as tourism is a method of developing cross-cultural 

interaction and understanding among the people of Nigeria's 

numerous regional blocks, which would ensure trust and peaceful 

coexistence. 

 

Question 

1. What is in an art festival? 

2. Mention three types of food festivals in Nigeria  

3. What is an example of an art festival? 

4. What activities are done at a festival? 



Benjamin Ejiohuo and Vivian Davies 

160 

 

5. How do you write a festival? 

6. What are the objectives of the art festival? 

7. What is the National Arts Festival? 

 

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