In the annals of cultural heritage, the Ugep New Yams Festival, celebrated by the Ugep people in Cross River State, Nigeria, stands as a venerable institution, a cornucopia of tradition and celebration, tracing its origins back to the early 16th century.
Established circa 1520, shortly after the Umor (Ugep) people migrated from Akpá and settled in their present locale, this festival is a paean to the gods of harvest, an exuberant display of gratitude for the bounty of the yam, the very staff of life in this verdant corner of Nigeria.
Through the centuries, this festival has been the quintessence of Ugep culture, its uninterrupted observance only briefly halted in the 1960s when state government edicts, with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer, banned cultural expressions such as the Obam dances. Yet, like the resilient yam itself, the festival sprang back to life, defying attempts to uproot it.
The festival’s significance is not confined to Ugep alone. The neighboring Yakurr towns and villages each hold their own new yams festivals: Mkpani, Idomi, Nko, Ekori, Agoi, and Asigga all celebrate this agrarian rite, forming a mosaic of traditions across the region. However, during former Cross River State governor, Donald Duke’s tenure, the state’s tourism strategy, with all the finesse of a bulldozer, subsumed the Ugep New Yams Festival into a broader Yakurr festival. This expansion, albeit well-meaning, inadvertently, even nearly eclipsed the Ugep festival, igniting controversy over the primacy and identity of the celebrations. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Ugep organizers and the state government, originally intended to safeguard Ugep’s preeminence, was trampled underfoot by the weight of commercial interests and broader governmental agendas.
As it stands, the Ugep New Yams Festival risks being swallowed by the larger Yakurr celebration, a cultural dilution that threatens to erode its unique historical and cultural identity. Yet, within this peril lies opportunity. Through strategic foresight and deft management, the Ugep festival can not only reclaim its primacy but also elevate itself to the global stage.
How?
1. Cultivating Authenticity in a Global Context:
The key to internationalizing the Ugep New Yams Festival lies in a delicate balance between maintaining its authenticity and appealing to global sensibilities. This can be achieved through curated cultural experiences that showcase the festival’s rich history, traditional dances, music, and rituals, making it a living museum of Ugep heritage.
2. Leveraging Technology and Social Media:
In the digital age, social media and technology are indispensable tools. A robust online presence, featuring live streams of the festival, interactive virtual tours, and engaging content about Ugep culture, can captivate a global audience. Partnerships with influencers and cultural ambassadors can amplify reach and impact.
3. Strategic Partnerships and Sponsorships:
Forging alliances with international cultural organizations, tourism boards, and global brands can provide the necessary financial backing while ensuring the festival’s ethos is not compromised. Sponsorship deals should be meticulously crafted to align with the festival’s values, preventing any dilution of its cultural essence.
4. Developing Sustainable Tourism Infrastructure:
To accommodate an influx of international visitors, Ugep must invest in sustainable tourism infrastructure. This includes eco-friendly accommodations, efficient transportation systems, and comprehensive visitor services, all designed to provide an immersive and respectful cultural experience.
5. Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs:
Establishing educational exchange programs with universities and cultural institutions worldwide can foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Ugep culture. Workshops, seminars, and exhibitions abroad can serve as preludes to the festival, generating interest and anticipation.
6. Community Involvement and Empowerment:
The festival’s internationalization should be a community-driven endeavor, ensuring that the benefits permeate through local society. Training programs in hospitality, event management, and cultural preservation can equip the youth with skills and employment opportunities, fostering economic growth
In conclusion I call on the Umor-Otutu socio- cultural organization to inherit the mantle of restoring the Ugep New Yams Festival’s historical prestige while propelling it onto the global stage naturally falls upon the Umor-Otutu Socio-Cultural Organization. This body, brimming with intellectual prowess and cultural acumen, is best positioned to navigate the complexities of modernizing the festival without sacrificing its soul. By embracing a vision of global modernity grounded in cultural fidelity, the Umo-Otutu can transform the Ugep New Yams Festival into a beacon of heritage tourism, a testament to the enduring legacy of the Ugep people, and a source of pride and prosperity for generations to come.
* The views expressed are entirely the author’s.
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