CULTURAL FESTIVALS IN AWKA, 1970-2021: A CASE STUDY OF THE IMOKA FESTIVAL

Abstract

Festivals are special occasions with specific purposes tied to various aspects of community life. They offer people an opportunity to rest from strenuous activities and to enjoy leisure time while participating in cultural entertainment. Imoka, one of the major festivals in Awka, has long served as a platform for sustaining cultural identity and uniformity among the Awka people and their neighbors. The Imoka Festival promotes cultural unity and serves as a vital medium for strengthening community bonds in Awka. This paper seeks to examine the origin of the Imoka Festival, address the problem of insecurity often associated with its celebration, and suggest ways to regenerate interest in the festival among the people of Awka. It also aims to showcase the town’s diverse cultural heritage and resources. The paper recommends that Awka festivals, particularly the Imoka Festival, should be preserved, developed, and promoted as tourist attractions. There should be increased youth enlightenment on the historical significance and cultural relevance of the festival. In addition, efforts should be made to create employment opportunities for the youth through the development of tourist centers and the preservation of Awka's cultural heritage. The methodology for this study includes both primary sources such as oral interviews and discussions and secondary sources, including published articles and books.