i

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

ii

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)

iii

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

iv

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)

v

DEDICATION

This research work is dedicated to the undivided Trinity and to my little

daughter Akuoma, a child of destiny.

vi

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.

vii

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.

viii

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

ix

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

x

1

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

2

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

3

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.

4

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.

5

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

6

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

7

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

8

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

9

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.

10

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.

11

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

12

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

13

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

14

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.

15

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.

16

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

17

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

18

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.

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

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

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)

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

30

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

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

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

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

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:

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

42

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.

43

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.

44

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.

45

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

46

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.

47

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.

48

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.

49

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.

50

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

51

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.

52

A native doctor-dibia is always in the arena to ensure that the

festival is devoid of unruly behaviour from performers and

expectation