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OKONKWO, EBERE CLEMENTINA
PG/M.A/08/49612
PG/M. Sc/09/51723
HARNESSING THE POTENTIALS OF NATURAL AND CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS FOR
TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN PARTS OF
ANAMBRA STATE
ARCHAEOLOGY AND TOURISM
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY AND
TOURISM, FACULTY OF ARTS, UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA ENUGU CAMPUS
Webmaster
Digitally Signed by Webmaster’s Name
DN : CN = Webmaster’s name O= University of Nigeria, Nsukka
OU = Innovation Centre
2011
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APPROVAL PAGE
OKONKWO, EBERE CLEMENTINA, Reg. No. PG/M.A/08/49612, a post-graduate
student in the Department of ARCHAEOLOGY AND TOURISM has satisfactorily completed
the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts (M.A.) in ARCHAEOLOGY AND
TOURISM. The research work embodied in this thesis is original and has not been
submitted in part or in full for any other diploma or degree of this or any other
University.
……………………………… ……..………………………………
Dr. (Mrs.) P. I. Eze-Uzomaka Dr. (Mrs.) P. I. Eze-Uzomaka
(Supervisor) (Head of Department)
…………………………………..
(External Supervisor)
3
TITLE PAGE
HARNESSING THE POTENTIALS OF NATURAL AND CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS FOR
TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN PARTS OF
ANAMBRA STATE
4
DEDICATION
To the effort of my dear husband, Mr. Emeka E. Okonkwo in financing this programme,
and for staying and waiting anxiously to see the end of this programme.
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PREFACE
This research report examines the potentialities of natural and cultural attractions
for tourism development in Anambra State. The abundant tourism attractions with which
the state is endowed and blessed with has necessitated the choice of the state as a case
study. A study of these attractions revealed inherent values capable of transforming and
developing the host communities into a tourists haven. The study uses ethnographic
techniques to elicit information and analyze the available data. The research report
therefore argues that harnessing the potentialities of natural and cultural attractions in
Anambra State will not only create job opportunities, encourage local crafts, but will also
improve the living standard of host communities.
For the purpose of clarity, this work has been broken into chapters. Chapter one
deals with the introduction of the topic of the research, statement of problem that
motivated this study, the research questions that readily come to mind, the objectives for
carrying out the research, the methods employed in carrying out the research, the scope of
the study, and the limiting factors that affected the research during the period in which
the research was carried out.
Chapter two concentrated on the literature review, which includes theoretical
review, empirical review and theoretical orientation. Chapter three focused on the
background information, geographical location of the study area, historical background,
economy of the people, cultural activities and political organization of the study area.
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Chapter four is about data collection, presentation and analysis of the study area,
presentation of data of tourist attractions in Anambra State, delimitation of tourist
attractions at the study area into natural and cultural attractions, and the data analysis.
Finally, the last chapter deals with the summary of the report, and
recommendations for the way forward were also offered and conclusion reached.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I must first of all commend the Department of Archaeology and Tourism,
University of Nigeria, Nsukka for accepting and approving my thesis topic. My most
humble and sincere thanks goes to my thesis supervisor, Dr. (Mrs.) P. I. Eze-Uzomaka,
for her unreserved and indeed excellent academic efforts in guiding this study to its
completion. She took great pains to read and patiently correct the manuscript. I feel that
the success of this academic piece was her concern.
My profound thanks also goes to Prof. A. I. Okpoko, Prof. E. E. Okafor, Prof. P.
U. Okpoko, Dr. A. M. Ibeanu, Dr. L. C. Ekechukwu, and Mr. E. I. Itanyi for their advice
and encouragement during the writing of this thesis.
My immense gratitude goes to my husband, Mr. Emeka E. Okonkwo for
financing my Masters Programme. His advice and encouragement was of great help to
me. It would not have been so easy to complete the programme without his support. Not
withstanding his academic engagements, he managed to squeeze out time from his
numerous commitments to take me round the towns for all the oral interviews.
I reserve my special thanks to my brothers fondly called papa Cynthia, papa Ikem,
papa Nnaemeka, Nnamdi and my sister Anastasia. The bibliography at the end shows the
numerous sources to which I am indebted, in varying degrees for this work. I say a big
thank you to you all. Hold on to what is good.
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LIST OF FIGURES
PAGE
Figure 1: Map of Anambra State Showing the Study Areas……………………………..26
Figure 2: Map of Anaocha Local Government Area………………………………..…...27
Figure 3: Map of Aguata Local Government Area……………………………………....28
Figure 4: Map of Nnewi South Local Government Area…………………………….….29
Figure 5: A Pie Chart of Tourist Arrivals at the Natural Attractions in the Study
Areas from January – December, 2008…………………………………………..61
Figure 6: A Bar Chart of Tourist Arrivals at the Natural Attractions
from January – December, 2009…………………………………………………62
Figure 7: A Pie Chart of Tourist Arrivals at the Various Cultural Attractions in Our
Study Areas from January – December, 2008…………………………………...64
Figure 8: A Bar Chart of Tourist Arrivals at the Various Cultural Attractions
from January – December, 2009…………………………………………………65
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LIST OF TABLES
PAGE
Table 1: Statistics of Tourist Arrivals at the Natural Attractions in the
Study Areas from January – December, 2008…………………………………...60
Table 2: Statistics of Tourist Arrivals at the Natural Attractions from
January – December, 2009……………………………………………………….61
Table 3: Statistics of Tourist Arrivals at the Cultural Attractions in Our Study
Areas from January – December, 2008…………………………………………..64
Table 4: Statistics of Tourist Arrivals at the Cultural Attractions
from January – December, 2009…………………………………………………65
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LIST OF PLATES
PAGE
Plate 1: Vegetation of Anambra State…………………………………………………....30
Plate 2: A Side View of Agulu Lake…………………………………………………..39
Plate 3: Haaba Erosion Site in Agulu…………………………………………………....39
Plate 4: Okpu Erosion Site in Agulu…………………………………………………..…40
Plate 5: Ekwulobia-Oko Erosion Site……………………………………………………41
Plate 6: Igboukwu Erosion Site…………………………………………………………..41
Plate 7: Nkwo Umuchu Erosion Site…………………………………………………….42
Plate 8: Aguluezechukwu Erosion Site………………………………………………..…42
Plate 9: Ogwugwu Sacred Grove……………………………………………………..….45
Plate 10: Mmiri Agu Stream in Umudara, Ukpor…………………………………..……46
Plate 11: A Statue of a Typical Nri Man in Nri Museum…………………………….….47
Plate 12: Eze Nri Royal Crown with Eight Feathers……………………………….……48
Plate 13: Atilogwu Dance in Aguata……………………………………………….…....51
Plate 14: Odenigwe Dance in Aguata…………………………………………….…..….51
Plate 15: Egedege Dance……………………………………………………………..….52
Plate 16: Roasting of New Yams…………………………………………………..…….52
Plate 17: Cutting and Declaration of New Yams as Suitable for Eating…………..…….53
Plate 18: Titled Men Performing During Yam Festival………………………………….53
Plate 19: Abandoned Settlement in Umuhu Village, Ukpor………………………….….55
Plate 20: Abandoned Settlement in Umunuko Village, Ukpor…………………..………55
Plate 21: Okuka Festival Arena in Ukpor, Nnewi South LGA…………………………..58
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
Approval Page……………………………………………………………………………i
Title Page…………………………………………………………………………………ii
Dedication………………………………………………………………………………..iii
Preface……………………………………………………………………………………iv
Acknowledgment…………………………………………………………………………vi
List of Figures……………………………………………………………………………vii
List of Tables……………………………………………………………………………viii
List of Plates……………………………………………………………………………..ix
Table of Contents…………………………………………………………………………x
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION…………………………………………….…….1
1.1 Statement of Problem………………………………………………………………….4
1.2 Research Questions……………………………………………………………………5
1.3 Research Objectives…………………………………………………………………...5
1.4 Research Methods……………………………………………………………………..6
1.5 Research Scope………………………………………………………………………..9
1.6 Limitation of the Study………………………………………………………………..9
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW………………………………………...11
2.1 Theoretical Literature………………………………………………………………...11
2.1.1 Environmental Theory……………………………………………………………..12
2.1.2 Functionalism Theory……………………………………………………………...14
2.1.3 Modernization Theory……………………………………………………………..16
2.2 Empirical Literature………………………………………………………………….17
2.2.1 Natural Attractions…………………………………………………………………17
2.2.2 Cultural Attractions………………………………………………………………...18
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2.2.3 Tourism Development……………………………………………………………..19
2.3 Theoretical Orientation……………………………………………………………....21
CHAPTER THREE: BACKGROUND INFORMATION…………………………..23
3.1 Geographical Location of Anambra State……………………………………………23
3.1.1 Climates and Vegetation………………………………………………………..….24
3.2 Historical Background……………………………………………...………………..30
3.3 Socio-Economic/Cultural Activities…………………………………………...…….31
3.4 Socio-Political Organization of Anambra State……………………………...………34
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS……………..……36
4.1 Data Presentation: A Survey of Tourist Attractions in Anambra State………….…..36
4.1.1 Delimitation of Tourist Attractions………………………………………………...36
4.1.1.1 Natural Attractions in Anaocha Local Government Area………………………..37
4.1.1.2 Natural Attractions in Nnewi South Local Government Area...……….………...43
4.1.1.3 Cultural Attractions in Anaocha Local Government Area………………………47
4.2 Data Analysis………………………………………………………………………...58
4.2.1 Statistical Analysis of Tourist Arrivals at the Various Attractions
in Anambra State…………………………………………………………………...60
4.2.1.1 Natural Tourist Attractions…..…………………………………………………..60
4.2.1.2 Cultural Tourist Attractions…..………………………………………………….64
4.2.2 Analysis of the Economic and Cultural Values of the Tourist Attractions in
Anambra State………………………………………………………………….......66
4.3 Harnessing the Potentials of the Cultural and Natural Attractions in Anambra State
for Tourism Development and Promotion…………………………………….……..69
4.4 Impacts of Cultural and Natural Attractions on Anambra People…………………...72
4.5 Conservation Methods for Preservation of Natural and Cultural Attractions in
Anambra State………………………………………………………………………..73
4.6 The Future of Tourist Attractions in Anambra State………………………………...75
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION...78
5.1 Summary……………………………………………………………………………..78
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5.2 Recommendations…………………………………………………………………....79
Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………82
References…………………………………………………………………………….…83
List of Informants………………………………………………………………………87
Appendix
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Tourism is the act or practice of traveling temporarily out of ones place of
abode. It is the sum of the phenomena and relationships arising from the travel and
stay of non-residents in so far as they do not lead to permanent residence and are
not connected with any earning activity to meet their bill. It has to do with neither
income yielding nor permanency of perpetual nature (Aremu, 2001).
Tourism is the free movement of people to destinations outside their usual
places of residence and work, on a temporary basis, as well as the service
industries created to satisfy the needs arising from the movements, within national
or across international boundaries, for leisure, adventure, health, business,
religion, sports etc. Thus, tourism involves short-term travel at least for one day
and not more than one year, expenditure on transport, accommodation, purchases
and services, from when the visitors leaves home until he/she returns as well as the
impact of such visits and activities on the socio-economic, political and physical
environment of the host communities and visitors themselves (Oyakhilome, 2005).
Tourism is presently the world’s largest and fastest growth industry
accounting for about 7% of global capital investment, with receipts predicted to
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reach $1.550 billion by year 2012. Apart from serving as a dependable economic
asset, which generates much needed foreign exchange, it also helps in promoting
the distribution of national income and serves as a basis for national unity as well
as mutual understanding in a nation through the movement of people from one
place to another (Awake 2005).
Tourism is principally a service- based industry and the main product
provided by tourism business is hospitality. It is important to note that, a tourism
product can be ideas, goods or services which are intangible and as a result, a
number of organizations and agencies both public and private have been involved
at one level or the other in the management of the abundant tourism resources,
others promote, market and regulate them for use as products (Ekechukwu, 2006).
Tourism makes for peace and unity among States and nations and brings
about income generation which acts as a catalyst to national development. It
brings about improvement in the quality of life of both urban and rural dwellers,
through provision of leisure facilities and amenities in addition to fostering respect
for cultural diversity (Oyakhilome, 2005).
Tourism influences the establishment of national parks which have plants
and animal species, sites and habitats that are of special, educational, cultural and
recreational value (Ben, 2004). As rightly argued by Okwe (2005) cultural tourism
helps in the transformation of local communities from a grass to grace-like
environment. He further argued that, tourism provides opportunities for local
entrepreneurs to establish enterprises as well as stimulating the expansion of other
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economic activities such as fisheries, manufacturing of local goods and craft
development.
Nigeria is endowed with abundant natural and cultural resources which are
located all over the States especially in Anambra State. This nation’s tourism
potentials which are lying in situ and or wasting in their natural states, if harnessed
can produce a distinctive tourism industry capable of generating more than 60%
jobs for young Nigerians.
Cultural tourism on its own is a vehicle for rural revitalization. This is
because the highest concentration of cultural and natural tourism potentials are
located in the traditional rural setting. Tourists are therefore attracted to rural
communities thus, taking advantage of the growing interest in natural and cultural
heritage and historical places (Okonkwo, 2006). Therefore, the development and
marketing of these cultural and natural tourism potentials through appropriate
marketing strategies like sales promotion will not only end at boosting the
economy of the area and upgrading the living standard of the people, but will also
increase the beauty of the destination area. Thus, the development of our
numerous archaeological and historic sites into tourist sites is seen as the solution
to the state’s economic depression and social decadence. Again, the development
and protection of our cultural heritage remains the centre piece of tourism. To
develop tourism in essence implies developing rich cultural and natural heritage of
the state, which has remained untapped for a long period of time.
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Today tourism marketers have recognized the increase in leisure time,
cheaper and faster means of travel and rising curiosity about other lands, people
and their way of life. In this sense the understanding of tourism is essential for
those involved in tourism planning either in the local, state or federal levels and
for intended private operators of tourism industry.
Anambra State is blessed with abundant cultural and natural tourism
potentials, which are distributed all over the local communities. This paper was
therefore designed to examine the natural and cultural attractions in Anambra
State with a view to identifying various ways, by which they can be harnessed for
tourism development and promotion in Anambra State in Particular and Nigeria at
large.
1.1 Statement of Problem
In any given society, the heritage is considered as an irreplaceable source of
spiritual and intellectual richness. It is a source of history, identity and life.
Anambra State is blessed with abundant cultural and natural heritage which are
distributed in all the Local Governments. However, like any other State, Anambra
State also faces potentially dramatic changes and challenges.
A major challenge facing Anambra State is lack of appropriate promotional
strategies in marketing potential tourist attractions. To have these, there is need to
identify and categorize all the potential tourist attractions in Anambra State for
proper development and promotion.
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Another problem that motivated this work is the paucity of literature on
Anambra State tourism potentials as well as poor documentation of these natural
and cultural attractions in our study areas. It is these problems that motivated the
researcher into probing Anambra State tourism potentials and how best to harness
them for sustainable tourism development. Consequently, the quest gave rise to
the subject matter of the research report “Harnessing the Potentials of Cultural and
Natural Attractions for Tourism Development in Parts of Anambra State”.
1.2 Research Questions
Having appreciated the above problems, the following questions easily
come to mind:
i. What are the available tourist potentials in Anambra State?
ii. Do tourist potentials in Anambra State attract visitors from far and
wide?
iii. Do these attractions satisfy the interest of the tourists?
iv. To what extent has tourism affected the socio-political, cultural and
economic lives of Anambra people?
v. What are the conservation mechanisms in place for the conservation of
these tourism potentials in Anambra State.
1.3 Research Objectives
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The general objective of this research work is to examine tourism
potentials in Anambra State and how best to harness them for sustainable tourism
development. Specifically, the study aims at achieving the following objectives:
i. To identify the available tourist potentials in Anambra State.
ii. To find out how these tourism potentials attract visitors from far and
wide.
iii. To ascertain the extent to which tourists are satisfied with the available
tourism potentials in Anambra State.
iv. To examine the socio-cultural and economic impact of tourism on the
people of Anambra State.
v. To examine the conservation mechanisms in place for the conservation
of these tourist attractions in Anambra State. And
vi. To suggest ways by which the available tourism potentials in Anambra
State can be harnessed for tourism development and promotion.
1.4 Research Methods
The data that was used for the successful completion of this research report
was extracted from both primary and secondary sources.
For the primary sources, ethnographic research method was employed.
Ethnographic research comes from the discipline of social and cultural
anthropology where an ethnographer is required to spend a significant amount of
time in the field. Ethnographers immerse themselves in the life of people they
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study (Lewis, 1985) and seek to place the phenomena studied in their social and
cultural context.
The techniques of ethnographic research used include in-depth interview
and oral tradition. Generally, interviews are used in survey researches, where
structured and quantifiable information is elicited and in anthropological or micro
studies, which elicit qualitative data either in highly flexible, semi-structured or
unstructured manners. Interviews are very challenging and require personal skills;
sensitivity and adaptability including the ability to stay within the bounds of the
research theme or the designed protocol (cf. Okpoko and Ezeh 2005).
In-depth interview therefore entails the collection of semi-structured or
unstructured data through interviewer–interviewee verbal interactions or
conversations. As noted by Okpoko and Ezeh (2005) in-depth interviews provide
opportunities for respondents to talk freely of their experiences, beliefs and
attitudes as they relate to the research problem. It is an indispensable tool where a
relatively large amount of information has to be collected in a short period of time
and from a small number of respondents. Another inherent advantage of in-depth
interviews is that they allow the unexpected or what has been referred to as
‘detours’ to emerge (Okpoko and Ezeh, 2005). In other words, in-depth interviews
allow the research subjects to identify issues that are important to the interviewer
(John and Lee-Rose, 1998).
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It is important to note here that the variant of in-depth interview used in this
research work was ‘unstructured’ or ‘open-ended’ interviews. It was conducted in
informal or conversational manners. These involve asking significant questions
whenever opportunities offer themselves. There is no formal structured instrument
or protocol and the interviewer is free to move the discussion in any direction. The
aim according to Beal, et. al. (1979) is not primarily to secure answers to the
questions but to stimulate the subject to talk; in the hope of learning what the
subject thinks is important. The unstructured or open-ended interviews range from
casual informal interviews with unselected individuals to key informant
interviewing (Okpoko and Ezeh, 2005).
The second variant of in-depth interview that was used in this research was
semi-structured interviews, which are more systematic than the unstructured
interviews. Here, semi-structured interview require the preparation of interview
schedules or guides. It involves “a conscious effort to guide and steer the
discussion towards the particular interests of the researcher by either using a series
of written or memorized prompts, or a carefully planned interview guide
consisting of a list of items, which must be covered during the interview”
(Obikeze, 1990). It is pertinent to note here that this type of interview fosters
rapport between the interviewer and the interviewee. It is also invaluable when
interviewing an illiterate or semi-literate population. It further helped to generate
unexpected information or insights (Okpoko and Ezeh, 2005).
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Oral tradition on the other hand is a statement of the mouth transmitted
from generation to generation. It is therefore pertinent to state here that through
the use of oral and in-dept interviews, the researcher selected or interviewed
elderly people and youths believed to have useful information on the subject
matter.
The secondary sources of information were from library materials. Among
these library materials are textbooks, journals, magazines, newspapers, conference
papers etc. Also internet materials were used. Information obtained from both
primary and secondary sources were used in the analysis and interpretation of our
findings, which was eventually embodied in this research report.
1.5 Research Scope
For a single person to cover the entire state was difficult, so the researcher
carefully selected some local government areas in a sample form with the view to
covering them and as such obtain relevant information that will be used to
generalize opinion/analysis. The rationale behind their selection was based on
their long-standing history of good tourism attractions. Thus, the local government
areas that were hand-marked for study were: Aguata, Anaocha, and Nnewi south
local government areas. These areas were intensively studied and information
useful for the purpose of this study were obtained and systematically analyzed.
1.6 Limitations of the Study
22
In the course of this work, the researcher encountered a lot of problems,
which are basically the unavailability and the scarcity of literature. Pearce (1989)
stated that “literature on tourism is fragmented and lacking a firm sense of
direction”. The above was caused by lack of documentation. There was no written
history on the origin and development of tourism potentials in Anambra State.
Also, the reluctance of the people to give information contributed to our
limitations as well. In the field, it was not easy to obtain all the information from
the right sources or authorities. Some of our proposed informants refused to co-
operate while a few others were willing to talk only when they have been
financially rewarded.
Considering the financial constraints at this time, the researcher had to walk
long distances to some of the areas under study to gather information about
available tourism potentials in the areas.
Finally, bureaucracy also hindered my efforts. In some places visited, the
researcher was turned down and refused audience. While in some places after a
long waiting, the reward for waiting was a cold reply that the supposed informant
was not on seat. Howbeit, these limitations were overcome through careful,
painstaking and tender approach to offensive informants.
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CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
This chapter focuses on the review of theories and related literature. It
comprises three sub-headings: theoretical literature, empirical literature and
theoretical orientation.
2.1 Theoretical Literature
Theory is a guide to practice; no research study can be educative without an
underlying theory or model. The researcher’s theoretical approach helps to define
the research problems and how to tackle it. Theory is a basis for research practice
and application. It serves both as a tool and a goal; it helps in direct empirical
investigation, guiding research by generating new predictions and integrates other
24
empirical finding through abstracting, codifying, summarizing and storing
information (Mark, 1963).
However, in tourism, like any other field of study, many theories have been
used to study various aspects of the field. Some of these theories were originally
developed in the tourism field while others were borrowed from other academic
fields. This illustrates the inter-disciplinary nature of tourism.
Theory by definition is an account of the world which goes beyond what
we can see and measure. It embraces a set of interrelated definitions and
relationships that organize our concepts of and understanding of the empirical
world in a systematic way (Scott and Marshall, 2005:662). In a nutshell, theory is
not an end itself rather a means to an end. It is the inevitable tool which facilitates
research work as “no research can be conducted without an underlying theory or
model” (Okpoko and Igbo in Okpoko, 2006:12).
For the purpose of this research work only theories that are relevant to the
development and promotion of tourism will be discussed. This will help this
research work to give a vivid description with theoretical backup on how tourism
potentials can be developed and promoted especially in our study area. The
theories adjudged useful for this work are Environmental theory, Functionalism
theory, and Modernization theory.
These theories are important in tourism planning and development.
Building tourism on sound theories will help to ensure good and independent
analysis and unbiased judgment. As the tourism potentials of Anambra State are
25
still under threat of development, good and appropriate theories will help to
provide both knowledge and tool for shaping its development. It will also help the
researcher to know the contextual and spatial scope of such research.
2.1.1 Environmental Theory
Environmental concern became manifest in the late 1950’s in developed
countries as more and more citizens voiced alarm at the deteriorating quality of
their air and water (Atchia and Tropp, 1997). The deterioration of the natural
environment is as a result of the unchecked activities of many industries using
natural resources. The natural environment is endowed with high quality air,
water, beach, forest with diverse wildlife etc. These environmental resources or
gifts of nature are the major attractions of the tourism industry. In the light of this,
Okpoko and Igbo in Okpoko (2006:25) asserted that tourism destinations offer
natural goods like nature reserve, nice climate, clean air, spring water among
others. Therefore, it is not surprising that the environment broadly interpreted is an
essential resource for tourism and in turn receives many of the consequent impacts
planned and unplanned (Atehia and Tropp, 1997:320). To avoid environmental
consequences, some of the proceeds from nature should be injected into
environmental preservation and protection to ensure its sustainability (Okpoko and
Igbo in Okpoko, 2006:25).
Hence, for sustainability, the concept of land carrying capacity is used in
tourism planning to determine the upper limits of development and visitor use and
26
the optimum utilization of tourism resources (Inskeep in Okpoko, 2006:25). Also
the law of diminishing destination yields is applied while setting development
limits…the law of diminishing destination yields is vital in two major respects.
First, it provides the enabling instruments for calculating and reducing congestion
in destination areas. Second, it helps to prolong the tourism season by encouraging
more regular and constant distribution of tourism demand through out the year
(Okpoko and Igbo in Okpoko, 2006:26).
Another theory that has been used to explain environmental problems and
tourism is the theory of property rights “…there are two variants of this theory: (a)
The polluter has a right to pollute; and (b) the affected party has a right to non-
pollution. In the former case, the costs of non-pollution are a burden on the
affected party; but in the latter, the costs of pollution are covered by polluters
(polluter pays principle)” (Mihalic nd in Okpoko, 2006:26).
From the foregoing, a close interrelationship does exist between
environment and tourism; neither is viable without the other and both require
careful management to ensure that their viability is persuaded (Mannion,
1995:287).
2.1.2 Functionalism
Functionalism is a mode of analysis used particularly in the social science
which purports to explain social and cultural phenomena in terms of the functions
they perform in socio-cultural system (Hunter and White, 1976: 180). In other
27
words functionalism is concerned with the function of a component within a
system. Okeibunor and Anugwom (2005:31) are also of the same view. In their
opinion functionalism “is the contribution that an institution or item or any partial
activity makes to the maintenance of the whole”. They further stated that the
fundamental theoretical premise of functionalism is based on Durkheim’s
hypothesis of social solidarity.
Therefore, functionalism’s basic question is “How does society meet its
needs? Each process, institution and practice is seen as performing a function that
meets a societal need and thereby helps to maintain the society’s structure or
equilibrium. In other words processes and institutions are understood in terms of
their contribution to an on-going social whole (Mann, 1992:138).
Hence, the basic tenet of the functionalist approach is that society are
conceived as systems of mutually interdependent parts, and therefore no single
institution can be understood in isolation from the cultural whole. In this way the
tourism industry cannot be understood outside the industrial/cultural sector where
its role can be assessed.
Another element which is central to functionalist theory is the assumption
that social systems must meet certain needs or ‘necessary conditions of existence’
or functional imperatives, if the society is to survive (Hunter and White,
1976:181). Radcliffe Brown (1952), expresses this proposition by drawing an
analogy between biological organism and social systems. Just as the life of an
organism is maintained by the activities of particular cells, fluids and organs, so
28
the social system is maintained by the proper functioning of its constituent
institutions. In this vein the Nigeria cultural resources would be maintained
following the proper functioning of all its sectors. For instance sole dependence on
the art and culture sector might be catastrophic in situation whereby the cultural
resources are well maintained.
Of a truth, one of the features of a system stressed by functionalists is its
tendency towards equilibrium or balance among its parts and among the forces
operating on it. Change in one institution has implications for other institutions
and for the community or society as a whole, with adaptation being a continuous
process. For example, changes in tourism potentials (natural and cultural) may
bring about slight change or total change in tourism industry.
2.1.3 Modernization Theory
Modernization theory is a theory of development which states that
development can be achieved through following the processes of development that
were used by the currently developed country (www.wikipedia). While Tordoff
(1984:16) defined modernization as a process based upon the rational utilization of
resources and aimed at the establishment of a ‘modern society’. This theory
focused on ways in which past and present pre-modern societies became modern
(that is westernized) through the process of culture growth and change in social,
political and cultural structures. It is quite clear that modernization theorists are
concerned with culture growth within societies as indicated. Also modernization
29
theorists study the social, political and cultural consequences of society and the
conditions that are important for industrialization achievement orientation
programmes, technological development, and economic growth to occur. Benge
(1979:21) pointed out that one of the indicators of modernization is the need to be
open to new ideas and practices - what development literature usually calls
‘innovation’. Of a truth, for Nigeria tourism enterprise to be well developed it
must be open to innovation. However, one of the key factors in modernization
theory is the belief that development requires the assistance of developed countries
to aid developing countries to learn from their development. In this vein, it is
assumed that the tourism industry of the western world is already developed of
which developing countries still developing their tourism sector actually need the
assistance of the developed world in order to build a worthwhile tourist industry
with a unique taste that would satisfy tourists of all classes and also would be able
to compete with other tourism industries of the world.
Conclusively, the modernization theory effectively aimed to provide a
gradual, non-revolutionary model of development based on a belief in progress,
rationality, and mechanization or industrialization (Hailu, 2005:15).
2.2 Empirical Literature
Here, attempts are made to review natural, cultural attractions and tourism
development, with a view to examining scholars’ opinions and views on them as
well as a strategy to help guide the researcher in his present research report.
30
2.2.1 Natural Attractions
Natural attractions are provided raw by nature, which constitute the core of
the tourism product, natural attractions are an extraordinary attraction or scene that
most people have not seen before.
Natural attractions remain the captivating scenery and landscape, eternal
sun shine and the wild fauna and flora with which the country is endowed
(Okpoko and Okpoko, 2002:39). Natural attraction or features include the physical
features of a place such as the beauty of mountain, the fresh air of a seaside resort,
the qualities of a particular beach, the architecture and atmosphere of a great city
(Okoli, 2001:136).
Omotoso Eluyemi (2002) in his work sees natural attractions as the
creations of nature which consist of natural phenomenon such as waterfalls, caves,
lakes, rock formations, flora and fauna.
2.2.2 Cultural Attractions
Cultural attractions are indispensable components in our tourism
development schemes. In other words cultural/man-made relics can often be an
important stimulus to tourist travel. For instance the pyramid of ancient Egypt
attracts tourist to the country. Okpoko and Okpoko (2002:40) asserts that cultural
attraction provide the foundation upon which our tourist trade should be built.
Cultural attractions are the material and non-material, visible and invisible
evidences of man’s interaction with the environment. ICCRM Newsletter No. 20,
31
September (1998:13) reported that cultural heritage has long been considered as
tangible objects or intangible items that are carriers of testimony from the past.
Cultural heritage now includes such objects as historic city centres, cultural
landscapes or living heritage etc.
As rightly argued by Lipe (1984) “because human beings generally modify
the landscapes in which they live and because they attach names, myths and
affective values to features of the territory they inhabit, the landscapes of past
cultures may also qualify as cultural resources”. In this regard, the Olumo rock in
Ogun State and Ogbunike cave in Anambra State can be classified as cultural
resources due to their utility to the past inhabitants of the areas and the values
which the present society attach to them.
According to Spradley (1979) in Littrell (1990:107), cultural attractions in
general consists of artifacts, behaviours, beliefs and values which can be
transformed to a product as an element of the over all tourist supply and can be
marketed to tourist through tangible and or intangible elements, examples are
buildings, crafts and objects etc.
HNTO (1998) stated that cultural attractions could be seen as architectural
traditions, religious events, folklore art, folk customs, traditional dance and music,
and handicrafts. Epler Wood (1991) sees cultural attractions as a diversity of
cultures in a given region which include distinctive folk customs, traditional arts,
folklore arts, handicrafts, architecture and gastronomy. He also stated that
32
handicrafts serves as attractions in several types of tourism; such as in cultural
tourism, rural tourism and eco-tourism.
2.2.3 Tourism Development
Development as a concept has taken on many meaning. It has a range of
defining characteristics from narrowly delineated economic ones through broader
social values to mere general attributes such as self-reliance Pearce (1989:10).
Development literature has rarely discussed tourism despite its significance
and role in development strategies in many developing countries since the last
three decades. Much of the debates on development have often been centered on
the transition between agriculture and industrial societies. Direct links between
tourism and theories of economic development have only been discussed in some
tourism papers and book such as Pearce (1989:106). As aptly pointed by Reime
and Hawkins (1979:68):
a successful tourism development is one in which the
attraction serves as a facility for both residents and
visitors. The long-lives, carefully conceived
development does not free the whims and aspirations of
a multitude of strangers on a region it used the
indigenous qualities of the region, whether social or
natural to satisfy the expressed need of selective
clientele (Reime and Hawking, 1979:68).
Therefore, these factors (the consumer, the producer and the society) must
be taken into account for a successful tourism development. Okoli (2001:53)
33
describes that tourism development is concerned with the provision of tourism
infrastructure and superstructure. Under the provision of infrastructure he says
that, the infrastructure has to precede other development and has to be adequate to
serve the need of both residents and visitors. It is commonly provided by the
public sector. As soon as the site for a tourism facility is chosen, infrastructure has
to be provided. Suitable access roads are constructed, water supply from the mains
or bore hole is sunk, electricity is supplied either from the national grid or from
generating plant, and proper drainage channels are constructed and landscaping
done.
While under the provision of superstructure he noted that this applies to
physical facilities such as hotels, motels, restaurant, airport, harbour, railway
coaches and station aircrafts, automobiles etc. Such physical facilities should not
only be adequate but also they should be well equipped and maintained to meet the
required level of operation and acceptance.
Jansen-Verbeke, (1997) sees tourism development as a process by which
the tourism product grows from infancy to maturity i.e. a potential tourism
resources is harnessed to tourism product. Curry and Weiss (1993:11-16) defined
tourism development as a project undertaken to provide a tourism facility, to him a
project in this aspect involves the commitment of resources now to obtain extra
resources in the future.
2.3 Theoretical Orientation
34
Functionalism as argued by Okeibunor and Anugwom (2003) is the
contribution that an institution, item or any partial activity makes to the
maintenance of the whole system. The theory sees society as a system of
interrelated and interdependent parts, which function for the maintenance of the
whole. Every tourism potentials, product and services in the sense of
functionalism theory are interdependent of each other for effective and efficient
production. Thus, all aspect of tourism depends on each other such that their
application in tourism promotion functions collectively.
The theoretical orientation of this research work will be drawn from
functionalism in spite of the fact that other theories (modernization, and
environmental) were used. Critically, based on modernization theory, for tourism
to successfully thrive in a developing country, it needs the assistance of the
developed countries. In other words for Anambra State tourist potentials to bloom
it needs the assistance of other countries or States whose tourist potential is
already developed. Likewise environmental theory was adjudged useful because
tourism and environment are interdependent or interrelated. Tourist attractions are
environment based – the natural climate, beaches, wildlife, etc. Thus, without a
proper consideration of the management strength of the environmental goods, a
tourism destination is most likely to lose its power of attraction. Hence, in other to
build a sustainable tourism industry in Anambra State, its environment both the
physical and cultural must be studied. So that through the activities of tourists, the
fabric of State will not be lost.
35
However, the central orientation of functionalism expressed in the practice
of interpreting data by establishing their consequences for larger structures in
which they are implicated has been found in virtually all sciences of man –
Biology and Physiology, Economics and Law, Anthropology and Sociology
(Merton, 1959:46).
Finally, these theories serve as an insight to the researcher and even the
State on why these attractions should be harnessed, conserved and promoted for
sustainable tourism development.
CHAPTER THREE
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
3.1 Geographical Location of Anambra State
Anambra is a State in Southeastern Nigeria. Its state theme is “Light of the
Nation”. It is located within the semi-tropical rain forest belt and shares
boundaries with Delta and Edo states to the west, Imo and Rivers states to the
south, Enugu state to the east and Kogi state to the north. The origin of the name is
derived from the “Omambala River”, which is easily called Anambra River
depending on which dialect used in pronouncing it. Omambala River is on the
northern part of Anambra state and stretches to the famous River Niger. Anambra
has a landmass of 4, 844km2 and is ranked 35 out of the 36 states of the federation
(Anambra State Diary, 1994).
The climate is comparatively equable. The mean temperature of the hottest
period (February to April) is about 870F. Rain is seasonal with most of it falling
36
between April and October annually and ranges between 152cm and 203cm
(Anambra State Diary, 1994).
The indigenous ethnic group in Anambra state is the Igbo (90% of
population) (www.igbofocus.co.uk). The state has one of the highest population
densities in Nigeria. The stretch of more than 60km between Oba and Uli contains
a cluster of numerous thickly populated villages and small towns giving the area
an estimated density of 1500 – 2000 persons living within every square kilometer
of the area (Anambra State Government Pamphlet, 2008). In 2006, the population
was estimated to 4,182,032; while the density remains 863/km2 in 2006 (Anambra
State Government Pamphlet, 2008).
Although most of the population is overwhelmingly rural, over the last two
decades the rural/urban exodus has caused a shift in that balance. The shift of
human migration has posed problems regarding the state’s resources,
infrastructure, environmental sanitation, erosion control and social services. This
increase in demand is especially evident in its huge commercial city of Onitsha.
However, pipe-borne water, electricity and housing for the many residents of
Onitsha are a challenge for many.
3.1.1 Climates and Vegetation
Anambra State lies within the semi-tropical rainforest belt of the South. Its
physical features and vegetation are changing gradually from tropical rainforest
belt to open woodland and savannah land. A number of factors combined to
37
degrade the original forest vegetation to derived savannah in which fire tender
forest trees have been progressively replaced by fire tolerant savannah species.
These factors include high rural population densities, shifting cultivation and
annual bush burning. In some areas, only isolated stands of a few forest emergent
trees remain as evidence of the original forest. The vegetation in Anambra State
varies rapidly over short distance, in the forms of low forest dense woodlands and
thickets, alternating with open tree and grass savannah. Anambra State is
characterized by the presence of oil palm trees (Elaeis guineensis), bread fruit tree
(Treculia africana), Pears (Dacryodesedulis), mangoes (Mangifera indica) among
others.
Anambra State has the rainy and the dry season. The rainy season is
influenced by the southwest trade wind blowing in from Atlantic Ocean, which
shifts the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (I.T.C.Z) further North. This season
begins in March and last till October/November with mean annual rainfall that
decreases inland from about 150cm, while the dry season occurs between
November/December to February. This season is characterized by the dry
harmattan from North easterly wind blowing across the desert down South
bringing with it dust sands and excessive dryness and its mean annual temperature
is about 87°f with high relative humidity of about 80% (Okonkwo, 2004).
Plains under 200meters above sea level dominate the Anambra State land
surface. The characteristic trend of the topography is that of a gradual slow ascent
from the Niger delta in the Southwest to the Eastern high lands. The land surface
38
could be classified into three broad relief units, namely, plains, and low lands
(including river valleys), cuesta landscapes and highlands.
Hydrologically, sediments of the deltaic plain, sands and basal cretaceous
sand stone under lay the State. For most parts, it is highly dominated by the
occurrence of the highly porous false-bedded sandstone known as the Ajali
formations, which out-crop over a vast area. Some parts of Anambra State are
made up of alluvium and coast alluvium including gravels, sand, silt, and clay
materials (Onochie, 1987).
39
Figure 1: Map of Anambra State Showing the Study Areas
Source: Okonkwo E. (2004)
40
Figure 2: Map of Anaocha Local Government Area
Source: Okoye, A. C. (2002)
41
Figure 3: Map of Aguata Local Government Area
Source: Okonkwo E. (2004)
42
Figure 4: Map of Nnewi South Local Government Area
43
Plate 1: Vegetation of Anambra State
3.2 Historical Background
Anambra possesses a history that stretches back to the 9th
century AD, as
revealed by archaeological excavations at Igbo-Ukwu and Ezira; these findings
revealed a great number of details on the ancient kingdom of Nri, which held sway
in the area of Anambra from C.948AD to 1911 ((Anambra State Government
Pamphlet, 2008).
During the Nigeria/Biafran war, a relief airstrip was constructed by Biafran
engineers in the town of Uli (code named “Annabelle”). Extremely dangerous
relief flights took off from Sao Tome and other sites loaded with tons of food and
medicine for the distressed Biafran population. Uli airstrip was the site were brave
American pilots like Alex Nicoll and Scores of others flying often at tree-level at
the cover of darkness made the supreme sacrifice in the service of humanity
(www.ajcarchives.net).
44
Old Anambra state was created in 1976 from part of east central state, and
its capital was Enugu. A further state creation exercise by the then regime of
general Ibrahim Babangida on 27th
August 1991 divided Anambra into two states,
Anambra and Enugu. The capital of Anambra state is Awka. The main towns of
Anambra state are Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi, Obosi, Ihiala, Aguata, Uli, Abagana,
Alor, Atani, Nkpor, Umuoji, Umunachi, Umudioka, Unubi, Umunya, Umuleri,
Aguleri, Oba, Ojoto, Eziowele, Igboukwu, Ichi, Ichida, Oraifite, Ozubulu, Otu-
ocha, Nnobi, Adazi Nnukwu, Adazi-Enu, Adazi-Ani, Nanka, Nibo, among others.
The state is rich in natural gas, crude oil, bauxite, ceramics and almost 100
percent arable soil. However, most of its natural resources remain largely
untapped. On the other hand, the state is blessed with varieties of cultural
resources ranging from material to non-material cultural resources. It is pertinent
to note that some of these cultural resources are harnessed for tourism
development in the state.
3.3 Socio-Economic/Cultural Activities
A) Agriculture
Anambra state has a total of about 4, 844 square kilometers of landmass.
Roughly, 70% of the land is rich for agricultural production in which virtually
every tropical crop can thrive. Because of this enormous potential in terms of land
suitability, about 75% of the populations are engaged in profitable agriculture,
engaging themselves in the production of food crops, tree crops, livestock and
fisheries (Ezeani, 2007).
45
The various administrations realized the immerse importance of agriculture
as the major source of employment in the state, particularly in the rural areas
where the economy is still at the subsistence level. The state is a repository of
agricultural potential because of its land texture and congenial climate.
The predominantly agricultural areas are Anambra west and east, Aguata,
Awka north, Ayamelum, Oyi, Ogbaru, Orumba north, and south local government
areas; while the various sub-sectors of agriculture like crops, livestock, fisheries,
and forestry are areas of agricultural potentials. Cognizance of the invaluable
contribution of agriculture towards national economy, the state government and
World Bank offers assistance and guidance to prospective investors in agriculture
through various forms of programmes/projects. These agricultural incentives
include: Agricultural Support Services; Agricultural Extension Services;
Agricultural Financing, Credit and Insurance Scheme, and Agricultural
Mechanization.
Apart from agriculture, the people are very industrious and most of the
industrial base of the state is private sector driven, spanning from agro-allied,
automobile and manufacturing situated mostly in the Nnewi industrial belt.
Onitsha market is reputed to be the biggest in West Africa.
B) Culture
The main cultural features of Anambra state are the family, their belief
system and festival celebrations. There is also the extended family group or
46
Umunna which is made up of a number of individual households, which claim
descent from a common father. This common father usually was a son of the
founding father of the village. Members of the same Umunna or extended family
are not allowed to inter-marry. Sex relation is also a taboo.
In Anambra state as a whole, the man is generally and undisputedly
accepted as the head of the family. The members of his family answer his name
and he has the responsibility of providing for his family. For the Anambra woman,
she plays an indispensable and important role, both in her family and community.
Her role includes biological, social and political functions.
Anambra people are highly religious. Despite the advent of Christianity,
traditional religion is still practiced by some. The people believe in one Supreme
God known by various names such as Chineke (the creator), Chukwu (the big
god), Chukwu Abiama etc. There are also minor gods and spirits. Closely tied up
with their belief system are festival observances. Festivals in Anambra state are
occasions set apart by communities or groups or individuals for the
commemoration of one important event or the other in the life of the community
or individuals. Thus, a journey across Anambra state yields very rich and
rewarding insight into Igbo life.
There are many attractions like traditional festivals, historical sites, shrines,
ancestral/ceremonial houses and craft shops. There are others such as sacred
squares, streams, lakes, hills, caves and museums. However, the most important
and popular cultural attractions in the state are the traditional festivals.
47
Festivals are held all the year round with variations in periodicity and are
usually celebrated with pomp, pageantry, music and dance some of the most
significant festivals are mmanwu or masquerade and new yam festivals.
C) Tourism
Tourism potentials for development abound in Anambra state. Agulu Lake
in Agulu, Amamputu Lake in Uli, the Ogbunike cave in Ogbunike, the Ogba cave
in Ajalla and the Rojenny Tourist Center in Oba etc. are among the tourist
potentials of the state.
Potentially, rich investment harvest also abounds in the Art Gallery of
Nimo in Njikoka local government area; the Anambra shrine and the Nibo Awka
in Awka south local government area. There is the Obu Ofor Nri at Igwe Osita
Agwuna’s palace – Enugu Ukwu. The Odinani museum in Nri in Anaocha local
government area was jointly established by the community and the department of
African Studies, University of Ibadan; while the Igbo-Ukwu Museum was
established by the Anambra state government.
The museums serve as repository of archaeological findings and which date
back to the history of the towns. There are other cultural landmarks among the
towns in Orumba North and South local government areas.
3.4 Socio-Political Organization of Anambra State
The executive authority of the state is vested in a civilian governor elected
by the people of the state in a general election. There is a State Executive Council
48
that comprises the state governor (as Chairman), the deputy governor, eleven
commissioners, four special advisers and the secretary to the state government.
There are also usually in attendance, the Head of Service and some Special
Assistants.
There are fifteen Ministries in Anambra state; these are: Ministries of
Agriculture; Economic Planning; Environment; Mineral Resources; Science and
Technology; Justice; women Affairs; Youths and Sports; Commerce and Industry;
Education; Finance and Budget; Information and Culture; Public Utilities, Water
Resources and Community Development; Works and Housing.
Among the four major offices in the government house are the offices of
the Commissioner for Special Duties and Transport, Office of the Secretary of the
State Government, Office of the Chief of Staff and Office of the Head of Service.
The governor’s office is the coordinating center for government ministries,
departments and parastatals.
The local governments are the third tier of government in Nigeria. There
are twenty-one local government councils in the state, each headed by an elected
chairman. These are: Aguata, Anambra East, Anambra West, Anaocha, Awka
North, Awka South, Ayamelum, Dunukofia, Ekwusigo, Idemili North, Idemili
South, Ihiala, Njikoka, Nnewi North, Nnewi South, Ogbaru, Onitsha North,
Onitsha South, Orumba North, Orumba South, and Oyi.
The pre-colonial Anambra State like other Igbo societies has a unique was
of running their own system of government. The smallest unit of traditional socio-
49
political organization among Anambra people was the Umunna. Members of
Umunna consisted of individual households, which descended from one father.
The head of each Umunna was called Okpara, the eldest surviving male. Next to
Umunna is the Nkpuru, which is made up of various Umunna.
At the lineage level, functions are rested in the hands of the Ichie (often the
eldest adult mate in the lineage). He held the lineage Ofo. The Onye-ichie by
virtue of his age and office became both spiritual and political head of their
respective villages. The Onye-ichie is in charge of all the family shrines, and is
saluted Ichie as part of his spiritual and ritual authority.
Finally, another prominent organ of authority is Umuada. They are titled
women born in Anambra State. The council of Umuada is a very useful and strong
institution for social control. They made laws that controlled women. For example,
the council makes and enforces laws that a widow must not be outside her
compound, must not take her bath and must not change her cloth until after the
period of her mourning. According to our informants, any one repudiating the
authority of the council of Umuada would be punished by the priest and titled men
to whom Umuada would take the case.
50
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
4.1 Data Presentation: A Survey of Tourist Attractions in Anambra State
Tourism today is seen as discretionary socio-cultural and economic activity,
which requires the movement of people from their places of abode to places of
interest. Nigeria is gradually but steadily moving into the main stream of the
worldwide race to develop tourism. For this reason, the various state governments
are beginning to integrate tourism into their development plans to be used as
strategy for improved economy to beautify the environment and to raise the social
life of the people.
The three selected study areas in Anambra state are not left out of this
consciousness. These study areas are endowed with many tourist attractions yet
untapped and as days go by, there is the demand on interested individuals and
government to come and harness them and put them into better use. These tourist
products are dotted all over the places. A vivid description of the various places of
interest and the mode of life of the people give a visitor an insight into what to
expect in such sites. The tourism attractions of these three study areas could be
classified to fall under these categories: natural and cultural attractions.
4.1.1 Delimitation of Tourism Attractions
Tourism attractions are divided into two namely natural and cultural
attractions. Natural attractions include the material gift of nature like mountains,
51
streams, minerals, soils, groves, animals and plants. Cultural attractions refer to
those rich non-material and material attributes acquired within the society and
transmitted through generations; among them are the diverse beliefs, festivals,
architectures, shrines, dances, drama, iron working, wood and stone carving etc.,
characteristics of a given society. Some of these resources may remain in actual
use as do some historic and ethnographic materials, or they may consist only of
partial remains and the traces of past use, as with archaeological site (Lipe, 1984).
Anambra state is blessed with a wide range of potential tourist attractions.
Her diverse rich ecological feature and dynamic cultural heritage have special
appeals to various classes of tourists. These tourist resources fall under two main
categories: natural features and cultural features.
4.1.1.1 Natural Attractions in Anaocha Local Government Area
1) Agulu Lake in Anaocha Local Government Area
Lake according to Oxford Advanced Learners’ Dictionary of current
English is a large area of water that is surrounded by land. Agulu as one of the
towns that made up Anaocha area of Anambra State covers an area of
approximately 60 square kilometers. Agulu is located within Latitude 601’2 North
and Longitude 70 4’20 East. Agulu is bounded in the East by Awgbu and Nanka, in
the West by Obeledu and Adazi-Nnukwu and in the South by Aguluzigbo.
Agulu Lake is located in the western part of Agulu in Umuawelle village
and it is popularly called Eze Oyetora, Ezu Agulu or Ezu Umuowelle. It is a
natural lake that covers about 7 square kilometers. Agulu Lake lies between Agulu
52
and Nri communities. It is surrounded by mainly bamboo tree (Oxytamathera
abyssinicia) and other flora species. It also has a level of virgin land mass of about
44 square kilometers, which is good for the establishment of recreational facilities
like resort hotel, shopping complex, picnics section, excursion and golf course.
The Lake has a depth of about 8.11 meters, which enable boating and fishing
activities. Agulu Lake is cold in the afternoon, with the water temperature of about
120 and slightly warm in the morning and evening with water temperature of
between 310
C and 320C respectively. The following fauna can be found in the
area: Python (Python sanae), Guniea Fowl (Numidian melegaris), Turtle and Nile
crocodile (Crocodilus nilotus).
There is a rest house close to the lake owned by Mr. Rapheal Obi. It is a
two storey building dedicated to the gods of the lake with impressive design. The
house is a conglomeration of all religious sets, which offers free bed
accommodation to visitors that come there to pray in the chapel. There are many
other lakes in Agulu, which includes Ezumgbii Lake, and Ezuomelagh or Idemili
Omelagha.
53
Plate 2: A Side View of Agulu Lake
2) Agulu/Nanka Erosion Site
According to Onyema (2005) the Agulu/Nanka erosion site is a gully of
about two hundred (200) meters deep and an extensive site covering several square
kilometers. The site has attracted and has continued to attract tourists from outside
the country. The scene is unique for relaxation and viewing. There are many other
erosion site in Agulu, these includes the Ududonka and Haaba erosion site found
within the shrine of Haaba deity, Okpu-ifite erosion gulley etc.
Plate 3: Haaba Erosion Site in Agulu
54
Plate 4: Okpu Erosion Site in Agulu.
3) Erosion sites in Aguata Local Government Area
Aguata local government is characterized by the gully type of erosion
scattered at different towns and communities in Aguata local government. Apart
from rain water which is a common factor of erosion in the rain forest zone, the
causes of erosion in Aguata local government area can generally be attributed to:
(i) the topography of the area (ii) the soil type the Aguata sand type (iii) the actor
and nature of the flood (iv) land use or human activities etc. The towns and
communities affected by erosion menace in Aguata local government are as
follow:
A) Ekwulobia Erosion Site: This community is besieged by more than six
active and advanced gullies. One of the prominent sites is along Ekwulobia – Oko
road. Much of the flood water that rushes into this site emanates from upland areas
of Ikenga, Umuona, Isuofia, Nanka, Ezinifite towns etc. By the time the flood
water has reached Ekwulobia, they gained incredible momentum and this becomes
55
ferocious gully; lives and properties are lost regularly. The state government has
spent a lot of money in their efforts to combat the problem.
Plate 5: Ekwulobia-Oko Erosion Site
B) Igboukwu Erosion Site: The prominent erosion site in this town is located
at St. Patrick’s road linking Nnewi highway and Igboukwu – Ezinifite – Uga –
Umuchu road. This erosion site is a result of flood water from different towns in
Aguata.
Plate 6: Igboukwu Erosion Site
56
C) Umuchu Erosion Site: Umuchu has about seven gully erosion sites. One
of the most prominent site is along Nkwo Umuchu market square to Umunze
town. Much of the flood water that rushed into this site emanate from upland areas
of Akpo, Uga, Aguluezechukwu etc.
Plate 7: Nkwo Umuchu Erosion Site
D) Aguluezechukwu Erosion Site: This town has more than five gullies. The
prominent one is located within Girls’ Secondary School and Aguata High School
all in Aguluezechukwu.
Plate 8: Aguluezechukwu Erosion Site
57
E) Uga Erosion Sites: The prominent erosion sites in the town are located at
the access road to Obizi Uga water scheme in Uga town.
4) Otuto Nwaka – Anyaano Dry Valley in Aguata Local Government Area
This valley is the most unique landscapes in Aguata local Government. It is
situated in Igboukwu area. This dry valley is believed to have been wet during the
Pleistocene era but changes in weather. The Nwaka (dwarfs) from Oraeri, dumped
there along with their curious belongings when they die gave the site the name
Otutu Nwaka (where the dwarfs are laid to rest).
This valley is a large piece of land and up till now it has not been fully
occupied by the people because of the legend associated with it. It is believed that
anybody that lived or lives there dies a mysterious and childless death. This was
proved by the story that a man by name Umechukwu tried to live there, but he
died off mysteriously and childless also. There are other natural attractions in
Aguata, which includes Nwangwo spring water, Oturu River, Nwaokwara and
Aghumaa Lake.
4.1.1.2 Natural Attractions in Nnewi South Local Government Area
Prominent natural attractions in Nnewi south local government area are
sacred groves and streams.
A) Sacred Groves: Sacred groves serve purposes that transcend the spiritual, to
the educational and social and which play a role in the conservation of genetic
heritage. They usually harbour a wide variety of fauna and flora maintained by
58
strong traditional authorities and reinforced by a number of social sanctions that
limit their excessive extraction. In many instances, many groves assume
sacredness because of the attendant shrines. According to Njikerken (1997) a
single tree within a grove often forms the focal point of ceremonies but the entire
grove itself is considered sacred. It is instructive that a grove may or may not be
worshipped (Okpoko, 2001).
In the past, some groves in Nnewi used to be set aside for burying good and
bad people. Those who suffered from strange ailments, people who died of evil
deeds, sorcerers and twins were buried in the bad bush (Ajo-ofia). Amongst the
groves in Nnewi South are Ogwugwu, Okwu-Eze, Udo-Ukpor, Igwe Amadim,
Amadioha sacred groves etc. These groves shall be examined below.
A) Ogwugwu Sacred Grove: The grove is located very close to Ogwugwu shrine
and owned by Ogwugwu deity (one of the most powerful deity in Ukpor town
known for providing security and protection for the people of Ukpor). Various
spiritual and ritual activities go on in and around this grove especially during
festivals. Ethnographic sources revealed that in the olden days when somebody’s
death is suspected to have been caused by the gods, such dead bodies are being
carried and deposited into the forest. The people under this category are people
who must have committed an abominable act against the land and the shrine. Such
crimes are highly rated and are regarded as unforgivable by the gods. This may
also be the people who committed sacrilege against the gods, such as stealing
property of the gods; thus, at the point of their death, they are thrown into the
59
forest because they are regarded as evil. Also, the properties owned by such
people are equally carried to the shrine because, it is believed that when somebody
commits sacrilege and receives the penalty (which is death), that both the corpse
and his properties becomes the property of the deity responsible for his/her death
including lands, houses, and other properties of the deceased. There are some
other crimes against the tradition that one could commit, though not as grievous or
significant as stealing from the gods, which may result in the death of the
offender; not because the only penalty for such offence is death, but, because
people have stubbornly refused to appease or make some sacrifices to the gods for
atonement of their sins. The death of such persons is usually mysterious and when
divination is made concerning such death, it is usually found out that he has
committed an abominable act against the gods.
Plate 9: Ogwugwu Sacred Grove, Ukpor
60
B) Mmiri Agu stream: Mmiri Agu stream is located at Umudara in Ukpor
community. This stream is surrounded by different types of fruits like cashew
(Anacardium occidentale), Paw-paw (Carica papaya), guava (Psidium guajara)
etc. These fruits usually attract a lot of people to the stream, which causes constant
fetching of water from stream. This stream contains fishes, water snake, tortoise
etc, which when taken out from the water can cause disaster in the village. The
people believe that whenever the goddess is not happy with them, strange things
happen in the village such as constant deaths or strange disease afflicting the
people, and in order to avert these disasters, sacrifices are usually offered to
appease the goddess of the stream. Also, if anyone kills any animal from the
stream either by commission or omission must go to another stream and bring the
same animal and replace it by throwing it into the stream.
Plate 10: Mmiri Agu Stream in Umudara, Ukpor
61
4.1.1.3 Cultural Attractions in Anaocha Local Government Area
A) Odinani Museum in Nri: Odinani museum was established on 18th
March
1972 by a great anthropologist and ethnographer Professor M.A Onwuejeogwu of
University of Ibadan. Odinani museum is a joint project undertaken by the
Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan and Nri town represented by Nri
Progress Union (N.P.U) under the leadership of late Chief M.O Mbolu. Odinani
museum is located at Agbadama village and it is a big story building that was built
in the center of Nri town. The museum contains cultural materials that represent
the past activities of man in Nri.
Plate 11: A Statue of a Typical Nri Man in Nri Museum
62
Plate 12: Eze Nri Royal Crown with Eight Feathers
B) Mma-Nka Arts and Cultural Festival in Neni: Mma-nka Arts and Cultural
Festival are done by the people of Umudioka village in Neni town. The name
Umudioka means children of an artist or artistic children. Umudioka is so artistic
that the village is now synonymous with the name of chief tool with which the
Dioka perform his art.
During the Mma-nka festival, masquerades are in attendance performing
acrobatic display, magical powers and entertainment to its audience. Furthermore,
a popular traditional dancers/music known locally as Egwu ichi usually entertain
people during the festival. Umudioka village can be described as the reservoir of
entertainments in Neni town during the Mma-nka festival.
63
C) Cultural Dances in Aguata Local Government Area
Dance is one of the best sources of entertainment in Aguata Local
Governmnet and also one of the best sources of physical exercise. There were so
many types of dances, which came and went with different generations from time
immemorial. It was the type of dance that was popular during people’s life time
that they danced. These cultural dances attract people from afar to Aguata Local
Government. Some of the cultural dances in Aguata are Ikoro dance, Atilogwu
dance, Odenigwe dance, Ugobueze dance, Egedege dance, Ekpe dance etc. These
shall be examined briefly.
i) Ikoro Dance: This is used for chieftaincy coronation and also for those who
have performed spectacular feast dance in the olden days.
ii) Atilogwu Dance: This dance involves a lot of acrobatic display and it is a
dance by young men and women.
iii) Odenigwe Dance: This dance was organized by women of 40 - 50 years. It is
one of the most celebrated dances in Aguata and is used during the burial of
elderly people.
iv) Ugobueze Dance: This is used when a rich man want to open his new house or
when a chieftaincy title is been taking.
v) Egedege Dance: This dance is been performed by women of almost a particular
age bracket of 25- 45 years. It is danced during cultural festivals such as “Zuzugbo
obodo” festival etc.
64
vi) Ekpe Dance: This is a war dance, danced by warriors when they are ready to
attack their opponent. More often, warriors sing and dance ekpe on return from a
victorious war.
vii) New Yam Festival in Aguata Local Government Area: Yam festivals are
thanksgiving festivals otherwise known by different names among various
communities that make up Aguata local government area. The ceremony is
variously known as emume-ifejioku, iwa-ji, emume-iriji, ahajioku etc
(Ukachukwu, 2007). This all-important festival is celebrated to usher in the new
yam and any Aguata man worth his salt can never eat new yam before the
celebration of the new yam festival. It should be noted that yam festival is
generally celebrated not only in Aguata local government area, Anambra state, but
also in many parts of Igboland.
Yam festival is held in honour of the deity associated with yam. It is a
period of thanksgiving to the god of yam/harvest for bountiful yam harvest. It is
an important activity that takes place around August and September each year
according to traditional calendar.
The festival starts at individual homes and later to a central place and it is
done on Oye market day. During the New Yam festival different types of dances
are in attendance, masquerade display, and also a period when young boys were
initiated into the masquerade cult. Presently, yam festival in Aguata has been
turned into a tourist attraction by Anambra State government and so it is now a
State celebration (Emejulu, 2003).
65
Plate 13: Atilogwu Dance in Aguata
Plate 14: Odenigwe Dance in Aguata
66
Plate 15: Egedege Dance
Plate 16: Roasting of New Yams
67
Plate 17: Cutting and Declaration of New Yams as Suitable for Eating
Plate 18: Titled Men Performing During Yam Festival
(D) Abandoned Settlements in Nnewi South Local Government Area
In Nnewi South Local Government Area due to advent of civilization and
modernization in Nnewi south, many mud houses with thatched roofs are
progressively being abandoned. Some of them (mud house) are either abandoned
or demolished so as to give way for modern structures.
68
Few of these mud houses were seen in Ukpor and interior part of Azia.
Since the houses are built from unfired courses of puddle mud, the estimate time
could last in 20 years maximum without a major repair but they could last over 20
years maximum without a major repair but they could last over 70 years with
constant attention. However, McIntosh (1974) has provided much evidence from
the process of determination of mud walls in contemporary West African village
(Hani in Western Ghana) which has provided a value in interpreting similar
occurrences in Nnewi south.
As these abandoned houses lack adequate care and maintenance and as a
result most of them disintegrate, crack, and dilapidate thereby causing rapid
accumulation of mound which gives rise to potential sites.
However, accumulation of mud forming mounds occurs each time the
house is reconstructed from collapsing nature. In Nnewi south mud houses are
mainly renovated during the rainy seasons and moulds result from the liberated
unbaked mud wall which has broken into smaller pallets and are spread above the
present living floor of the time of demolition. Thus, the living floors continues to
increase in layer after layer as these process alternate successively over years or
centuries.
When any layer of living floor is being used, the processes by which
potential materials as post deposited into grounds as well as post disposition
process by which they are disturbed will begin to operate. Some of the processes
include dropping, discard, tampered upon by human feet or domesticated animal
69
hoofs. Potential materials that could be found in abandoned habitation sites may
include potsherds, beads, cowries and bones of animals or birds, iron implements
which may also include discarded kitchen utensils like spoon, plates, hoes and
knives (Olives and Paul, 1978). All these can be collected and kept in a museum
for proper harnessing, conservation and documentation.
Plate 19: Abandoned Settlement in Umuhu Village, Ukpor
Plate 20: Abandoned Settlement in Umunuko Village, Ukpor
70
E) Festivals in Nnewi South Local Government Area
In Nnewi south, there are many festivals, some of which are observable by
a few villages only, whilst others are by the entire Nnewi south people. All deities
of great importance have important festivals which people observe in their names,
whilst others have a times mere offerings and sacrifices. It is not all public deities
that have festivals observed in their honour by all Nnewi south people. It is also
essential to note that not all domestic deities have festivals not observed in their
honour by the entire people. Ndi-ichie, for example is a home deity but has a
festival observable to it by all, whereas a public deity like Uzukpe has festival
observable to it by only a section of the people. Some festivals are shared amongst
many deities, whilst others are a monopoly of others. Ogwugwu festival for
example, is observed primarily to Ogwugwu deity but other deities have some
share in it. But a festival like Okuka meaning superiority is a monopoly of a single
deity and that is Udo-Ukpor. Among the festivals in Nnewi souths are:
i) Ikwu Aru Festival: Ikwu Aru festival is done in honour of Ogwugwu deity the
most important deity in Nnewi south. The festival is observable by all married
men and women although not at the same time. Men observe it every eight years,
which is every nine native years, whilst the women observe it every two years,
which is three native years.
Preparations for Ikwu Aru festival start when it is about six months ahead.
Sacrifices are offered to various Ogwugwu shrines in Nnewi south. As the festival
draws nearer, several meetings are held at the premises of Ogwugwu square.
71
During the meeting, four sorcerers each from one of the four quarters of Nnewi
inform the people about the meeting and they will be informed what Ogwugwu
wants them to do for her. These sorcerers are paid about two shillings (twenty
kobo) which is contributed by the four Chiefs of the four quarters of Nnewi south.
Usually, Ikwu Aru festival falls in January or February but whenever elders fail to
get things in order on time, it fall in March or April.
ii) Okuka Festival: Okuka which means superiority is a festival observed in the
honour of Udo-Ukpor shrine to demonstrate his occupation of a status unattainable
by any others. The adour with which the festival is observed is great in all Nnewi
south. It is greater in Azia but is greatest in Ukpor where Udo-ukpor lives. The
festival holds once in September of every year. History has it that in 1955, it was
celebrated twice, because Udo-ukpor complained that during the first observance,
women did not put on decent dresses and men neither masqueraded no danced as
they ought to have done. As a result, all the Ukpor indigenes fixed a day and
repeated the celebration in the way the deity wanted it.
On the day of the festival at Udo-Ukpor square, chief priests of Udo-ukpor
go early to deposit chalk at his shrine and offer Kola nut (Cola acuminata) to it. At
about three o’ clock when actual celebrations begin, women appear in their best
dresses, and do the Itu ukwe whilst girls do the Iru ubene and Igbu uga dances
men on their part do different dances including masquerading. Different kinds of
food are being prepared during the festival.
72
Plate 21: Okuka Festival Arena in Ukpor, Nnewi South L.G.A
4.2 Data Analysis
One point that may be made with some certainty is that a wider and more
in-depth study of the cultural and natural attractions and other attractions could
provide a richer insight into culture and indeed history of the people. One
condition is necessary for such an accomplishment which is the interaction with
the people.
Cultural attractions in our study areas provide an opportunity for the feast
makers to renew their social and spiritual solidarity among their living and
departed relatives through exchange of gift and commensality. For example, the
living in remembrance of their obligation to the supernatural beings are motivated
to work harder to earn what to offer in sacrifice to the super-human agents and
thus, share with their human agents. More so, because of the emphasis put on
probity and patience deviant behaviour is discouraged in those who can not meet
73
any of their obligations in particular edition of the festival and may wait to be
assured that other opportunities exist in the future.
It is not only that commensality is enjoined in aspects of culture, it also
encourages sharing among people regardless of their economic status, it also
encourages discipline in prescribing what parts of the sacrificed animals are to be
brought out for enjoyment of the group, such groups have other social obligations
binding them for instance, corporate or communal ownership, funeral solidarity,
clarification with one another before a common threat, and so on.
Anthropologists, inclined to the social evolutionary school are likely to see
the exchange of gifts that occurs in cultural festival in our three study areas, in
contradistinction to commensality perse as a survival of a pre-capitalist moneyless.
Economy when barter or related reciprocal systems were the only options, under
these the essence of a social practice or institution is in its contribution to social
continuity. In other words “Gift exchange” practiced in cultural festivals in our
study areas ought properly to be seen for its synchronic relevance. It strengthens
ties among kith and kin and in some cases helps those who otherwise could not
have afforded to join their fellows in merry making. For everyone, such an
expression of solidarity renews one’s interest in the social network and strengthens
hope in life itself.
The natural attractions found in our three study areas equally demonstrated
opportunities for providing a multiplier effects in areas of job creation, revenue
generation, socio-cultural integration, poverty alleviation etc. All these could be
74
achieved on the recommendation that some of our natural attractions like the
Agulu lake, Oturu river, Nwaokwara stream etc can be harnessed by providing
tourism infrastructure and superstructure for tourism development.
4.2.1 Statistical Analysis of Tourist Arrivals at the Various Attractions in
Anambra State
4.2.1.1 Natural Tourist Attraction
Table 1: Statistics of Tourists Arrivals at Natural Attractions in the Study
Areas from January – December, 2008
Months Agulu
Lake
Agulu/Nanka
Erosion Site
Otuto
Nwaka
Dry
Valley
Aguata
Erosion
Sites
Ogwugwu
Sacred
Grove
Mmiri
Agu
Stream
January 60 20 6 10 30 15
February 43 7 3 0 49 4
March 59 12 5 30 10 3
April 31 19 11 50 15 8
May 29 0 4 20 20 4
June 7 5 0 0 11 0
July 3 2 0 0 18 0
August 0 0 0 0 42 0
September 5 1 8 0 6 0
October 20 4 4 20 50 7
November 80 4 7 0 63 60
December 100 69 45 200 100 230
Total 437 143 93 330 414 331
Grand total = 437 + 143 + 93 + 330 + 414 + 331 = 1748.
Source: Anambra State Tourism Committee (2009).
75
Table 2: Statistics of Tourist Arrivals at Natural Attractions from January –
December, 2009.
Months Agulu
Lake
Agulu/
Nanka
Erosion
Site
Otuto
Nwaka
Dry
Valley
Aguata
Erosion
Site
Ogwugwu
Sacred
Grove
Mmiri
Agu
Stream
January 65 3 18 8 17 20
February 55 0 7 7 6 11
March 60 2 50 40 31 0
April 20 6 100 60 10 6
May 8 0 0 0 0 0
June 0 0 0 0 1 0
July 0 0 0 0 0 0
August 4 0 3 3 2 6
September 0 0 0 0 0 0
October 70 8 0 0 0 12
November 79 10 14 24 6 3
December 100 44 80 54 13 60
Total 461 73 272 196 86 118
Grand total = 461 + 73 + 272 + 196 + 86 + 118 = 1206.
Source: Anambra State Tourism Committee (2010).
Figure 5: A Pie Chart of Tourist Arrivals at the Natural Attractions
in the Study Areas from January – December, 2008
Agulu Lake 437
Agulu/Nanka Erosion Site 143
Otuto Nwaka Dry Valley 93 Aguata Erosion Sites
330
Ogwugwu Sacred Grove 414
Mmiri Agu Stream 331
76
In table one available statistics of tourist received in identified natural
tourism potentials of Anambra state from January to December in 2008 shows that
Agulu lake received 437 tourists, Agulu/ Nanka erosion site 143 tourists, Otuto
Nwaka dry valley 93 tourists, Aguata erosion site 330 tourists, Ogwugwu sacred
grove 414 tourists and Mmiri Agu stream 331 tourists respectively bringing the
total to 1748 tourists. From the table, Agulu Lake received the highest number of
tourists. This is because of its indispensable service such as its ability to produce
white soft and sharp sand for building, lateritious, fishes, sacrifices and other sea
creatures and above all is the water it provide all year round for both domestic and
industrial consumption.
Table two shows a great decline in the number of tourists that visited the
natural sites in 2009. From the table Agulu lake received 461 tourists,
Agulu/Nanka erosion site received 73 tourists, Otuto Nwaka dry valley received
0 50
100 150
200 250 300 350 400 450 500
Agulu Lake Agulu/Nanka Erosion Site
Otuto Nwaka Dry Valley
Aguata Erosion Sites
Ogwugwu Sacred Grove
Mmiri Agu Stream
Respondents
Figure 6: A Bar Chart of Tourist Arrivals at the Natural Attractions from January – December, 2009
No
. o
f T
ou
rists
77
272 tourists, Aguata erosion site received 86 tourists and Mmiri Agu stream
received 118 tourists respectively making the total of 1206 tourists.
This great decline in the number of tourist visits to natural sites in Anambra
state from 1748 in 2008 to 1206 in 2009 is attributed to lack of awareness
resulting from improper promotional strategies in marketing tourism potentialities
in the study areas. Again, poor funding of Local Government Tourism Committees
and lack of tourism infrastructures contributed to the decline in the number of
tourists in the study areas as reflected in the above tables. In this analysis
therefore, we argue here that a truly successful visitor destination is one that is
concerned more with visitor quality than quantity. The quality visitor is the one
that is most likely to repeat the visit and to respect the visited environment – both
natural and man-made. Furthermore, to achieve this, the attractions need to be
repositioned for sustainable tourism development through provision of adequate
tourism facilities, good access road, favorable environment/atmosphere as well as
achievable tourism policies.
78
4.2.1.2 Cultural Tourist Attractions
Table 3: Statistics of Tourist Arrivals at the Various Cultural Attractions in
Our Study Areas from January to December, 2008
Months Odinani
Museum
Mmanka
Arts and
Cultural
Festival
Cultural
Dances
New
Yam
Festival
Festivals
January 62 9 0 0 0
February 21 16 0 0 0
March 48 11 0 0 0
April 40 8 50 0 70
May 20 12 0 0 0
June 16 6 0 0 0
July 10 4 0 0 0
August 12 48 0 0 0
September 37 13 30 400 90
October 26 16 0 0 0
November 49 20 0 0 0
December 107 39 150 0 0
Total 448 202 230 400 160
Total = 448 + 202 + 230 + 400 + 160 = 1440.
Source: Anambra State Tourism Committee (2009).
Figure 7: A Pie Chart of Tourist Arrivals at the Various Cultural
Attractions in Our Study Areas from January to December, 2008
Figure 7: A Pie Chart of Tourism Receipts from Cultural
Attractions in Our Study Areas from January to December, 2008
New Yam Festival ,
400
Festivals, 160Odinani Museum,
448
Mmanka Arts and
Cultural Festival,
202
Cultural Dances,
230
79
Table 4: Statistics of Tourist Arrivals at the Various Cultural Attractions
from January – December, 2009
Months Odinani
Museum
Mmanka
Arts and
Cultural
Festival
Cultural
Dances
New
Yam
Festival
Festival
January 48 6 0 0 0
February 20 4 0 0 0
March 21 8 0 0 0
April 37 3 30 0 60
May 16 5 0 0 0
June 18 6 0 0 0
July 11 2 0 0 0
August 10 20 0 0 0
September 21 5 20 288 80
October 42 12 0 0 0
November 44 9 0 0 0
December 73 19 60 0 0
Total 361 99 110 288 140
Grand total = 361 + 99 + 110 + 288 + 140 = 998.
Source: Anambra State Tourism Committee (2010).
Figure 8: A Bar Chart of Tourist Arrivals at the Various Cultural Attractions
from January – December, 2009
80
In table three the number of tourists received in identified cultural tourism
potentials of Anambra state from January to December in 2008 shows that Odinani
museum received 448 tourists’ cultural dances received 230 tourists, new yam
festival received 400 visitors and festivals received 160 tourists making the total of
1440 tourists. The table shows that Odinani museum received the highest number
of visitors. This attraction (Odinani museum) has a great impact in creating
awareness.
Table four shows that from January to December, 2009 Odinani museum
received 361 tourists, Mma Nka arts and Cultural festival received 99 tourists,
cultural dances received 110 tourist, New yam festival 288 visitors and festivals
received 140 tourists bringing the total number to 998 tourists.
From the above tables, it can be seen that the number of tourist received in
2009 in table four has dropped from 1440 in 2008 to 998 in 2009. This decline in
number of tourists visit to cultural tourism potential of Anambra state is due to
improper development and promotional strategies in marketing tourism potential
in the area which has not motivated any positive impact in creating awareness
about the attractions.
4.2.2 Analysis of Economic and Cultural Values of the Tourist Attractions in
Anambra State
Both natural and cultural attractions have economic value to Anambra
State’s traditional life, and festivals are closely tied to the economic circle.
Festivals are periods of demonstrating acquisition of wealth and new styles of
81
doing things. It is also seen as periods of massive consumption after the labours of
the past months or acts of seeking mostly economic blessing from the gods. It also
marks the new financial year.
Festival holds great promise for tourism; thus special events and festivals
attract as much crowd (tourists) as fixed natural or man-made attractions (Yale
1994, Okpoko 1990). Explaining further, Ekechukwu (1990) opines that African
countries like Nigeria have abundant cultural festivals that are rich in mythology
which can be harnessed to generate revenue as well as serve as a means of creating
some feeling of shared love and brotherhood among various ethnic groups.
Tourists attracted by festivals spend a lot of money within the locality
where the festivals take place. They pay for their accommodation and admission
fee into the arena as the case may be. Due to quest for these tourists, and other
factors, today Anambra state and environs has a standard hotel accommodation
that can be rated five star, three star, etc by their location and facilities. They
patronize local markets, restaurants and they spend money buying gift items and
art works for souvenirs. It is pertinent to note that these cultural activities have
generated a lot of money which was used to build schools, health centre,
electricity, tarred roads, build, market/shop, micro credit/bank etc.
The presence of international tourists attracts a lot of foreign currency for
the state and the entire country and adds to the country’s balance of payment.
Local transports are highly patronized by the tourists. Also, the airline gain
82
economically from the celebration of cultural festivals. Hospital bills are paid to
local hospitals by the tourist that needs hospital’s services.
Cultural resources of the host state (both material and non-material)
exhibited before their visitors; some of these tourists are foreigners who may
subsequently facilitate the exportation of such traditional display. Thus the above
statement is in consonant with Okoro James (informants). According to Okoro
James, masquerade in Aguata local government went to United States of America
(U.S.A) in the year 1997 for cultural displays. This kind of international cultural
exhibition or performance have automatically resulted in international exposure
for the indigenous technology such as art works, weaving, crafts which are taken
home as souvenirs. The standard of living of the local artists in case of cultural
dances has been improved socially, economically, through such international
exposure.
To the state’s economy, taxes are paid by the tourist, churches are said to
record more attendants, and all these contribute to the countries economy and the
organized locality. However, it is when cultural festivals were able to attract
tourists, that they would have something to do with tourism and it is then that
cultural activities could be described as income yielding tourism product as in the
case of new yam festival, Odunke festivals etc in Anambra state.
Finally, cultural analysis of tourism potentials in Anambra state is culture
of the state especially tourism potentials for which the state are known for has
been sustained because of the presence of tourism in the state.
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4.3 Harnessing the Potentials of the Cultural and Natural Attractions in
Anambra State for Tourism Development and Promotion
Before embarking on any developmental project there is need for impact
assessment of the proposed project on the environment. Therefore environment
impact assessment should be the first step to be carried out. Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA) is an approach used to identify the key attributes of the natural
environment and natural system of a region (Baury and Lawson, 1998). The
objective is to identify in advance, factors that may affect the ability to build a
desired development, or be affected by the proposed activity. The results can then
influence the decision whether or not to proceed; the choice of design and phasing
and identify the need to mitigate unwanted effects.
In order words, environmental impact assessment researcher should aim to
predict the consequences of proposed projects on the environment (both natural
and human institution) in order to allow informed decision on project design and
implementation.
The assessment will help to provide another means of providing resources
in which these attractions provides for the state. For instance, the lakes, stream and
rivers are source of water to them. The same thing also goes to the groves and the
trees around the attractions that must be cleared. When all these things are
satisfied one can now talk of proper development, which includes:
84
i) Accessibility of the Area:
All the roads leading to these tourism attractions should be graded and
tarred to make it accessible for tourist. An area that is easily accessible is often
more attractive to visitors. In order words, areas that can be visited by road with
relative ease and comfort are likely to attract more tourists than area that are
remote. For the ‘erosion sites’ they should be covered and the road should also be
graded, tarred and maintained to avoid damages.
ii) Communication:
This is another important factor in tourism development and promotion.
Tourists will want to visit an area where they can communicate with their families
or work places without difficulties. This can be achieved by providing G.S.M
(Global System of Mobile Communication) network services at these tourism
potentials and internet services. There should be adequate water supply,
electricity, health care centre and education centre for the workers children,
religious centers for both Christians and Muslims. These infrastructures should be
installed to benefit tourists and local people.
iii) Publicity:
Aggressive advertisement has played a prominent role in various business
circles today (Ashipa, 2002). The general public and most importantly the
contiguous state need to be made aware of the importance of these attractions.
These tourism attractions can also be publicized through literature that will be
updated yearly indicating current attraction and price. It can be done with aid of
85
billboard that will be placed at every city in Nigeria, or through radio jingle,
television etc.
At this point, it can be seen that the development of that tourism attractions
are not what the state can do alone. Though, they still have their own roles to play.
Its development should involve the government, private sectors, NGO’s (Non-
Governmental Organization), and the community members. For tourism activity to
succeed in any area, the tourist, the business providing tourist goods and services,
the government of the Anambra state and the host community must have a positive
attitude towards the industry. Without this attitude development and promotion of
tourism will be hampered (Falade, 2001).
iv) Role of Government:
Tourism cannot thrive without basic infrastructural facilities, such as good
roads, clean water, constant electricity supply, and communication, safety and
security system. The provision of the essential social facilities is the sole
responsibility of government. It is also the duty of the government to create
conducive investment climate/incentives.
The government should enact law and regulations that will govern the
activities of the categories of people involved to ensure that their conduct are not
detrimental to objectives of the industry and the security of host community, as
well as tourists.
86
v) Role of Host Communities:
These local organs are meant to locate and identify tourism potentials in their
areas. They should serve as information centers and provide tourist guides. The
role is to maintain and preserve these attractions. As aptly argued by Eze-uzomaka
(2006) any programme on tourism which does not actively involve the members of
the community is bound to fail; she further explained that for tourism to be rated
as successful, it must affect the local population both cost effectively as well as
culturally. Cultural configuration of the community can also form a kind of
attraction to the tourists.
With the fact that we live in a global village and a world of
interdependence, one can say that public-private sector partnership is a valuable
and indispensable component of sustainable tourism development.
4.4 Impacts of Cultural and Natural Attractions on Anambra People
The impacts of these attractions on Anambra people can not be over
emphasized. They range from economic to socio-cultural impacts.
Firstly, these attractions served as an income generator for the state. Thus:
once these attractions in Anambra state are properly planned, developed and
managed, it contributes immensely to the socio-cultural and economic life of the
state: e.g. Building of schools, hotels, hospitals, banks etc.
87
Another impact is that these attractions have also served as a means of
employment for the unemployed people in Anambra state, thereby reducing the
level of unemployment in the state.
Tourism potential in Anambra state has also made an immeasurable impact
in the relaxation, happiness etc. of the people. These attractions serve as an
alternative means of joy for the people, especially when living is too difficult.
Moreover, it has helped the people to appreciate our natural and cultural heritage
and also help in the preservation of the natural and cultural attraction of the state.
Finally, these attractions will have great impact on Anambra state people if
properly harnessed because they generate various economic, social, infrastructure
and academic rewards. They will also help in the diffusion of the people’s culture.
4.5 Conservation Methods for Preservation of Natural and Cultural
Attractions in Anambra State
According to Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, Conservation is the
protection of the natural environment. The act of preventing something from being
lost, wasted, damaged or destroyed. According to White (2003) conservation is a
practical, caring, tangible concern for places, buildings structures and landscape,
leading to an appreciation of and an attraction for appearance, character,
personality, atmosphere, scale and form. It is about spaces and places, group
value, totality that needs looking after, it is a positive stance with action to search
for new uses for old forms, and it is about conservation and reuse (Gerry, 2003).
88
According to Gerry (2003) conservation methods are technical guidance on
monitoring protocols so the success of restoration and mitigation can be clearly
demonstrated. The conservation methods in this three study areas are of two types
viz: Traditional method and modern methods. Traditional methods includes local
taboos, norms, values, sacrilege while modern methods includes Audio-visual,
Photographic documentation etc. These methods will be examined briefly.
1) Local laws/Sanctions and Taboos: Local taboos have long been part and
parcel of the traditions and practices of various cultures in Nigeria. In the past, as
in the present, Aguata local government, Nnewi south local government and
Anaocha local government has conserved their natural and cultural attractions
through sacred sanctions, taboos etc.
In Agulu lake the researcher observed that certain area were conserved by
sacred sanction, local taboo and sacred laws, which till date have played a major
role in the preservation of these attractions. These places include the “Otuto
Nwaka valley” in Aguata local Government. Any attempt against these
taboos/laws attracts the wrath of the gods on the person.
2) Boundary Demarcation: Demarcation in picnic sites at our study areas has
long achieved its aims as villagers are no longer ignorant of their limits even the
visitors (tourists). Also during this research, there was no such case of
encroachment, and with the boundary demarcation in place, the villagers have no
excuse for poaching, farming, cutting down trees within the conserved areas.
89
The age grade and groups constitutes enduring management systems in
traditional Nigeria societies, be it in the centralized political system of the Igbo
and Tiv (Eborieme 2002, in Okonkwo 2004). They maintain the path ways and
carry out repair works in public heritage places such as the lakes, streams, shrines,
groves etc. The above statement is in consonance with our observations in our
study areas.
3) Fragile Monuments are been given Special Attention: Areas in which
monuments are found are been cleared and the monuments are taken care of by
preparing them so that they would last for a longer time. Visitors have been
advised to be painstaking while approaching the monument.
Again, masquerade performance, festivals and dances are video recorded
and the cassettes are kept in institutions involved in heritage management. Oral
traditions, folklores and songs are being recorded and the tapes also are kept in
archives and libraries for future references.
4.6. The Future of Tourist Attractions in Anambra State
According to our informant, elder Okonkwo Okolo-Paul, “Culture is super-
organic.” This means that culture does not die as people die. Culture outlives each
generation of society and is passed on through the process of socialization to
future generations. These cultural festivals have stayed for many years upon the
advent of Christianity and modernization, it stood on the ground.
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More so, there are traditional practitioners (adherence) that uphold these
traditions in Anambra state. According to our informant Mr. Okeke John
(Chinyelugo) ‘a state that their culture is completely destroyed, it can also be said
that they have destroyed themselves as well because they have no link with the
past; and therefore cannot have any plan for the future as their foundation has been
destroyed.’ Hence, this applies to the culture of our individual societies.
In addition, Mr. Chukwurah Joseph an intellectual, in his support to what
the first respondent said noted that people are usually interested in knowing their
past because an awareness of the past is a characteristic of a modern man. “Myths
and history intermingle to create a tradition that is vital element in creating social
awareness and cohesion. The past is a living component of present day life, this
identity of past and present is often closely associated with specific locations and
structures.” With all these, you can see that bright is the future of tourism in
Anambra state.
However, the future of the natural attractions (lake, streams, and hills) in
Anambra state would be bright if the conservation methods (boundary
demarcation, local taboos) are properly applied to the protection of these cultural
and natural attractions. This is because proper conservation and management of
these cultural and natural attractions ensures sustainable tourism activities in the
study areas which will in turn enhance the socio-economic well-being of the
people. More so, proper and aggressive enlightenment programme revealing the
importance and significance of these cultural and natural attractions to the
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Anambra state will also help in brightening the future of the cultural and natural
tourist attractions in the study areas.
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CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION
5.1 Summary
This study set out to discover the natural and cultural attractions in
Anambra state, the state of the attractions and how they can be harnessed for
tourism development and promotion.
In our society, a lot has been said and still being said about tourism
attraction. Yet the proper development of the industry seems elusive. Our media
houses from time to time publish so many articles and issues on tourism, but the
realization of our dreams on tourism is still far-fetched.
It has been established that the main tourist motivation to Nigeria is our
cultural heritage, our natural, modern and historic resources; architecture, wood
and stone carving, drama, dances, palaces, monuments, festivals, shrines,
landscapes, lakes, mountains, rivers, media houses and hotels etc.
Tourism development still has a long way to go. Although Anambra state
has some of the best natural resources for tourism in which Aguata, Anaocha and
Nnewi south local government areas are one of the council areas of note. There is
need to develop all the tourists sites in the state. In states like Cross River, Lagos,
and Plateau, the provision of tourist facilities within a destination site such as
communication, security, accommodation, transportation, etc was given adequate
attention.
93
This study has therefore to a great extent explained natural attractions
(Agulu lake, erosion sites, valley streams, hills) as well as cultural attractions
(festival, museum, cultural dances of different kinds, abandoned settlement)
including some built attractions like hotels, monuments etc in Anambra state with
a view to offering possible strategic plans and harness for the sustainable tourism
development and promotion in Anambra state in particular and the nation at large.
5.2 Recommendations
Harnessing the potentials of cultural and natural attractions for tourism
development and promotion are not only for economic benefits but also socio-
cultural and political benefits and among others. The optimization of several inter-
related factors and integration of many complex objectives, call for long-term
development plan and articulate strategic framework for the realization of a robust
tourism industry in Anambra state and Nigeria at large. It is in recognition of these
that the following recommendations are made.
For tourism industry to develop, it would require purposeful leadership
with strong political will to ginger and sustain private entrepreneurship. Tourism
should be treated as a major sector in our nation’s overall economic development.
Tourism is today the industry of the 21st century. Developed and developing
economy world wide are embracing tourism with seriousness. We need to protect
the tourist attractions like we do to our oil wells. Tourism inputs to overall Gross
Domestic product still less than expected because of low level of encouragement
94
from government like in Pakistan, tourism related facilities in Nigeria should be
accorded the status of an industry. All our amusement parks, hotels, tourist’s
services agencies, handicrafts etc should qualify for concession and treatment as
are given to other sector. All fiscal and cemetery incentives, provided by the
government to export oriented industries should be extended to tourism related
projects.
Festivals which involve masquerades need to be internationalized. The
festival depicts the rich cultural values of the people of the state, which any tourist
would enjoy. Such a culturally oriented tourist attractions encourage Nigerians as
a whole to spend their leisure meaningfully. Through this, foreigners and citizens
alike are encouraged to undertake studies on the rich cultural values of the Igbo
people. For this festival to be internationalized, our foreign embassies should be
used. Posters of the festival should be sent in advance to our overseas embassies,
with instruction to use them for advisement in foreign media houses. Tickets for
admission into the venue of the festival should be sent to the embassies for sales in
advance.
In 1964, UNESCO’s general conference adopted a recommendation on the
means of prohibiting and preventing illicit export, import, and transfer of
ownership of cultural property (Morley, 1977). Indeed, a decree was promulgated
to preserve and protect antiquities. This decree should be implemented and also
agencies whose duty is to protect cultural heritage should continue to improve
regional strategies to combat looting of our cultural heritage.
95
This research work also recommends that our culture should be displayed
through cultural carnival where most of our cultural heritage will feature. The
tourist will use the opportunities of watching the carnivals to visit these places of
tourism attractions.
Finally, for Nigeria to have her fair share of the global tourist market and
maintain high visitor arrival, there is urgent need to invest heavily on promotion
campaign especially in the key source countries, which are the important target
market overseas. The expenditure on promotion in the source markets should
exceed that of competing destinations. The promotion methods to be adopted for
both domestic and foreign target markets should be varied and should be geared
towards promoting the image of Nigeria and help create the desire to purchase the
country’s tourism product. It has also identified domestic tourism as an important
instrument for social and economic growth and this should be emphasized in
national planning. In order to make Nigeria a tourist haven and long haul
destination in the world, there is the need to adopt marketing strategies that can
place Nigeria ahead of other competing destinations around the world.
96
CONCLUSION
Nigeria is blessed with abundant facilities that can attract domestic and
foreign tourists. This can help to achieve substantial revenue growth and
supplement the revenue from petroleum, which is the country’s main source of
income.
However, it can be observed from this study that tourism is capable of
facilitating the development and promotion of the people of Anambra state, and if
the required development and promotion of the study areas are to be achieved
through tourism, there are needs to harness, maintain/conserve a vibrant and
healthy natural, cultural and social environment.
Therefore, if the tourism resource (Natural, Cultural and built) are
harnessed and managed, they are capable of bringing in the needed foreign
exchange, infrastructural development and a boost to the social, political and
economic growth of Anambra state in particular and Nigeria at large. Thus, to
attain a sustainable development and promotion through tourism, this research
work therefore, advocates that government should encourage, promote and
develop the sector to make it attractive to the Anambra state people and the world
in general.
97
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ci
LIST OF INFORMANTS
S/No NAME SEX AGE OCCUPATION STATUS PLACE OF
INTERVIEW
DATE OF
INTERVIEW
REMARK
1 Okoro James M 57 Educationist Opinion leader Agulu 1/03/2010 Reliable
2 Okonkwo Okolo P. M 60 Retired business
man
Elder Igboukwu 24/04/2010 Reliable
3 Okeke John M 59 Civil servant -------- Azia 30/04/2010 Reliable
4 Chukwurah Joseph M 48 Civil servant -------- Neni 14/03/2010 Reliable
5 Ichie Dan Ukaegbu M 112 Ex-civil servant Eldest man in Ukpor Ukpor 30/04/2010 Reliable
6 Daniel Okoli M 76 Retired palm
wine taper
Chief priest Okija 30/04/2010 Reliable
7 Lazarus Nwofia M 65 Business man Chief priest Agulu 30/04/2010 Reliable
8 Michael Ezenwa M 72 Farmer Chief priest Agulu 01/03/2010 Reliable
9 Mrs. Okeke Chizoba F 35 Civil servant Senior consultant
officer
Neni 14/03/2010 Reliable
10 Mr. Osita Ifejika M 33 Civil servant A.E.O Administration Neni 14/03/2010 Reliable
11 Mr. Enenmo Denies M 50 Civil servant Curator Neni 14/03/2010 Reliable
12 Mrs. Fidelia Uze F 38 Civil Servant Senior museum guard Neni 14/3/2010 Reliable
13 Ozo Okonkwo
(Igwe Odo)
M 53 Educationist Opinion leader Ukpor 30/04/2010 Reliable
14 Ewo Nnubia F 64 Native doctor Custodian of shrine Okija 1/03/2010 Reliable
15 Ezenwa Onochie M 49 Civil servant Administrator Igbo-Ukwu 24/04/2010 Reliable
