ABSTRACT
Nigeria dreams
amongst others are to realize her tourism benchmark in the midst of committee
of nations, but this could only be possible if the numerous problems
confronting her are duly attended to. Although, it is imperative to reiterate
that she is a State with a multi-religious and multi-ethnic state with over two
hundred and fifty ethnic groups that are rich in diverse cultures. Mother
Nature has so blessed the country with vast land, beautiful climate and land
formation, especially with the swampy coastal lands to the tick rain forests
and the savanna. There are also the parks and games reserves in their natural
habitat. The hills, the rocks, lakes, natural and warm spring water all add
colour and beauty to the landscape. These are some of the natural endowments
that are yet to be harnessed in full capacity and requiring attention (of the
tourism industry) for maximum exploitation and benefits which, no doubt, will
increase the economic fortune of the country and enhance the much desired
development. The impact of this numerous tourist centres are yet to be
appropriated as the Osun-Oshogbo festival in particular and its influence need
to be felt in this course of national development, to which this course are
interested in X-raying.
The study will
adopt primary and secondary sources of data collections. The primary data will utilizes
materials from oral face to face interview from key informants of: three (3)
historians on Yoruba culture, four (4) members of the Osun-Oshogbo traditional
worshippers, three (3) members of the coordinating Group of the Osun-Oshogbo
festival, two (2) members of the Osun State ministry of Culture, three (3)
members of Nigerian Tourism Board and three (3) Archaeologist on Yoruba relics.
The secondary data use materials sourced from archival library methods,
internet browsing, CD-ROM, journals and articles, conference papers and
bulletins on tourism and development in Nigeria. The study will use both
content analysis and in-depth interview methods at arriving at its goal. It
will equally use descriptive and narrative approach in the course of investigation
and analysis.
The study noted
that our rich cultural heritage and natural endowments remain as treasure mines
towards enhancing the development of the country. The work also informed that
maximum utilization of national values like the Osun-Oshogbo festival benefits;
especially the tourism sector, the Osun state people and towards Nigeria
development could aid quick economic revenue that can enhance national earnings
and national reserve of the country.
Conclusively, the
study is of the view that for Osun-Oshogbo festival and all other tourist sites
to develop and be sustained towards aiding national development that the people
and government in particular need to pay more attention to others sources of
generating revenue like the tourist industries in order to enhance balanced
national development and economic growth that will be devoid of any
shortfall.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Front Page i
Certification ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgements iv
Table of Contents v
Abstract vii
CHAPTER
ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.0 Background
of the Study 1
1.2 Statements of the Problems 2
1.3 The Objectives of the Study 3
1.4 Research Question 3
1.5 Significance of the Study 4
1.6 Scope of the study 5
1.7 Limitation of the Study 5
1.8 Definition of Terms 6
CHAPTER
TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.0 Introduction
8
2.1 Global Overview 8
2.2 Nigeria’s Tourism Potentials and National
Development 16
2.3 Instances of Cultural Fiestas that had
enhanced Tourism and
Development
in Nigeria 20
2.4 Osun-Osogbo History 24
2.5 Turning the New Into Heritage 27
CHAPTER THREE: HISTORICAL
OVERVIEW
3.1 The Origin of Osun-Osogbo Festival 54
3.2 Osun-Osogbo Festival and Its Social
Relation to Yoruba Race 56
3.3 The Cultural Identity, Sacredness and the
Interrelation to Outside World 60
CHAPTER FOUR: GENERAL
ANALYSIS
4.1
The General Analysis of Osun-Osogbo
Festival and National Development 63
4.2
Tourism and Sustainable Development in
Nigeria 64
4.3
The Value Base of Osun-Osogbo Festival and
Tourism
Development
in Nigeria 68
4.4
The Salient Factors that Impede on
Osun-Osogbo and
National
Development 72
CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSIONS
AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1
General Findings 77
5.2
Summary 79
5.3
Conclusions 81
5.4 Recommendations 82
BIBLIOGRAPHY 85
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.0 BACKGROUND
OF THE STUDY
Africa is full of millions of miles of squares
of rich and fertile land some of which are opened and park like in their appearance and others covered with
expensive forest of valuable timber where the sound of the wood-man’s axe has never been heard, and which only
requires the culture of the husbandman to make their produce an ample of labour
returns (Mazrui,
1998).
The above quotation while representing a
true picture of the African Continent explains as well the situation of the
Nigerian State with a total area of 923,768 square kilometers, land area of
910,768, with water – 13,000 square kilometers and coastline 853 kilometres.
The country indeed has abundant rich and fertile land. The Southern part which
is an embodiment of the swamp and the forest is rich in forest products with
several miles, while the North, greater part of which falls within the Savannah
Belt is equally very rich. The country has a population of over 140 million
people and over 250 ethnic groups with different cultures and languages. Each
of these numerous ethnic groups has different arts and crafts that offer
attractions to outsiders. (Okpoko, 1990).
There are also different historical sites and
monuments that offer tourism attractions. Festivals abound among the different
ethnic groups, the potentials for which only few have been developed.
Archaeologists through their researches and excavations have also analyzed issues
on the proliferated people and cultures of Nigeria. Some of their findings
adorn our Museums and Monuments and help to enrich our cultural past. These
cultural and artifactual materials which are kept by the different traditional
institutions offer attractions and if explored, will serve as an alternative
source of revenue that is sustainable to government.
In the 1960s the label stood for an exciting though
also contested center of modern, then still contemporary African art. In the
1970s and 1980s Osogbo's fame faded. The name gradually disappeared in the art
historical references. By the end of the 1990s the literature suggested the
name Osogbo had shrunk to a historical footnote. Encountering the reality thus
came as a surprise. Against an inquiry in 2000, there was realization that the
city and its artists had embarked on a "second career." After a first
career in the global art world, the city had successfully reinvented itself as
an important destination in today's roots and heritage tourism, with the Osun
grove and annual Osun festival being the city's main attractions.
The Nigerian state was obviously supporting this
development. Not only was the Osogbo museum, a branch of the National
Commission of Museums and Monuments involved in the organization of the Osun
festival which climaxes in the Osun grove, but rumor also had it that the
Nigerian state intended to nominate the Osun grove to be added to the UNESCO
list of World Heritage sites.
1.2 STATEMENTS OF THE PROBLEMS
It is imperative that, international tourism is second
only to oil as the single largest item of the world trade. The global economic
meltdown and fallen prices of crude oil at the international market more than
before makes it imperative for alternative sources of revenue to be exploited.
Tourism can help us achieve the Nigeria of our dreams not only for the present
but also for generations to come.
Therefore, it becomes a worrisome case for the long
year of government neglect and abandonment of what would have help to improve
the economic. The neglect amount wastage loses and slimmed economic projection
that the Tourism industry would have helped to promote.
1.3 THE OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The
following are the objectives of the study:
1. To examine the historical value of Osun-Osogbo
Festival on National Developments.
2. To
ascertain the income generated during the festive period towards national
development
3. To
examine the socio-economic implication of the year of neglect of the centre in
boosting economy and transformation of the country revenue base.
4. To
explain the importance of the tourist centre to national and international
development.
5. To
explain how the site can be used in creating jobs and development of human
capital.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTION
Research
question are drawn from the concepts associated with the research problem which
describe the problem in specific terms. They are specifically design statements
of the components of the problem (Asika, 2004)
1. Why
was the long years of government neglect of tourism especially the values of
Osun-Osogbo tourism features?
2. How
could the revenue accruing from the tourist festival help to enhance government
revenue derivation?
3. What
are the possible international gestures that the government and the people of
Osun intend to gain?
4. Can
the tourism revenue help to reshape the Nigeria economic posture?
5. What
are the likelihood of tourist centre encouraging opening up of the area for
development
1.5. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
Firstly, the beauty of tourism, apart from the ripple
effects on other sectors is that it is a highly sustainable industry with
little expense for maintenance and protection. It is indeed an enormous
treasure mine for exploration and exploitation. We now know the tourist
potentials, where they are located and it only requires the will, dedication
and commitment of all, particularly the Leadership of the state to provide
positive direction so that others can follow suit in investing in the Tourism
Sector that is rich, sustainable with high and long term returns on investment.
Secondly, international tourism is second only to oil
as the single largest item of the world trade. The global economic meltdown and
fallen prices of crude oil at the international market more than before makes
it imperative for alternative sources of revenue to be exploited. Tourism can
help us achieve the Nigeria of our dreams not only for the present but also for
generations to come.
Thirdly, it is an obvious fact that Tourism sector
have remained untapped essentially because it is not well developed. Investment
into the sector will make it more attractive and when made attractive, this
will lead to job creation in the support services, such as hotels, eateries, as
well as the transportation sector. The subsequent reduction in unemployment
will reduce poverty which has been identified as bane to development. Jiboku
and Jiboku (2008).
Fourthly, apart from the above, when people visit
places of interest, they like to acquire souvenirs for remembrance, invariably,
therefore production of arts and craft will increase as there will be more
demands, thus boosting the indigenous home industry. In essence, more money
will be available to individuals, organizations involved in the sector as well
as the entire country.
Lastly, in the area of social welfare, development of
the tourism sector and making it more attractive will have positive effects on
the health and well-being of tourists. In Nigeria where people hardly have time
for relaxation, cases of stress, hypertension and sundry illnesses will be
reduced.
1.6
SCOPE OF STUDY
The
scope of this study is between 1999 and 2011. The study covers the activities
and the worship of the Osun-Osogbo diety. It emphasis on the festival’s
usefulness, both to the indigenes and outside world.
1.7. LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The
work is limited in many respects. These include the long year of neglect that
had made it impossible to have enough literature for the study. Logistic and
poor funding had also halted the necessary development in the course of the
investigation. Poor logistic and fund for traveling to the site also acted as
limitation to the duration of the work. The study also experienced hiccups that
acted as a hindrance to early completion, especially on the issue of attend to
the researcher by the library attendance. Also, lack of security and the role
of the tradition indigenes trying to obstruct and impose problems to the
researcher. The absent of elderly men and true worshippers make the study
tedious and cumbersome.
1.8 DEFINITION
OF TERMS
FESTIVAL: A festival is an event, usually and ordinarily
staged by a local community, which centers on and celebrates some unique aspect
of that community and the Festival.
NATURE RESERVES: A nature reserve (natural reserve, nature preserve, natural preserve) is a protected
area of
importance for wildlife,flora, fauna or features of geological or other special interest, which is
reserved and managed for conservation and to provide special opportunities
for study or research.
CULTURE: Culture is a definition highly misunderstood and misused,
thus the need for an explanation:
Culture refers to the
following Ways of Life, including but not limited to:
- Language :
the oldest human institution and the most sophisticated medium of
expression.
- Arts &Sciences :
the most advanced and refined forms of human expression.
- Thought :
the ways in which people perceive, interpret, and understand the world
around them.
- Spirituality :
the value system transmitted through generations for the inner well-being
of human beings, expressed through language and actions.
- Social activity :
the shared pursuits within a cultural community, demonstrated in a variety
of festivities and life-celebrating events.
- Interaction: the
social aspects of human contact, including the give-and-take of
socialization, negotiation, protocol, and conventions.
All of the above collectively
define the meaning of Culture.
CULTURAL SITES: works of man or the combined
works of nature and of man, and areas including archaeological sites which are
of outstanding universal value from the historical, aesthetic, ethnological or
anthropological points of view.
MONUMENT: architectural works, works of
monumental sculpture and painting, elements or structures of an archaeological
nature, inscriptions, cave dwellings and combinations of features, which are of
outstanding universal value from the point of view of history, art or science;
TOURISM: is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes.
TOURIST: The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and
staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one
consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes.
OSUN-OSOGBO: is a sacred forest along the banks of
the Oshun River just outside the city of Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria.
THE OṢUN
RIVER: is a river that flows southwards through central Yorubaland in southwestern Nigeria into the Lagos Lagoon and the Atlantic Gulf of
Guinea. It is one of the several rivers ascribed in local mythology to have been women who turned into
flowing waters after some traumatic event frightened or angered them.
OṢUN: was reputedly one
of the wives of Ṣango, the Yoruba god of thunder
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