Key Features:

- No of Pages: 89

- No of Chapters: -

Buy Now

Introduction:

Abstract

The abstract of this research is only available in the paid version.

Table of Content

The table of content of this research is only available in the paid version.

Introduction

Nigeria has over the years been able to prove her worth; this is demonstrated by the hosting of Festival of Arts and Culture in 1977, it was initiated with a determination to propagate the values and originality of black culture. This festival has left behind great legacies, this legacies are what formed part of this research work. Nigeria has a rich cultural heritage which is widely varied, culture is one area which they have a lot to showcase to the rest part of the world, developing the Nigerian culture is a collective responsibility which has been supported by both the civilian and military governments, this is why it has been given consideration in the Nigerian constitution.

The Festival is a topic that has been discussed a lot, with enormous media attention, but in few academic works. This research work thus will fill an important gap in the literature complementing several other works on culture and development in Nigeria, it will also explain how FESTAC 77 became a package of modernity, the performance of progress and the expression of glory. The activities of FESTAC 77 are about the representation of culture in a post colonial, modernised world. It was truly a class act that brought people of all races and nationalities to Nigeria in celebrating of arts and culture that has since not been surpassed. Most of the festival took place in Lagos except for the Durbar which was taken to Kaduna state. FESTAC 77 projected the modernisation of culture, but also put forth the ideology of race equality with the west and other continents.

FESTAC 77is closely tied to the history of the Blackman and his struggle for recognition and equality with the rest of the human race. The blacks sought for identity, their own values of civilization, they were anxious to rediscover their own personality.

Indeed the expectation was that the culture that FESTAC 77 celebrated would be the source of development generating ideas to transform Africans, rather than using the same ideas so that the colonialist had to present them as barbarians. The power of pre-colonial states and their institutions was restored. In their full glory and displayed for the post-colonial people to see.

Perhaps it is pertinent at this juncture for me to point out that the initiation of FESTAC was made mainly to improve and develop the African culture and Nigeria in particular most importantly to leave a legacy that the younger generation will live to remember and uphold. This is clearly observed in the Festival Anthem which stated thus:

Let a new earth rise

Let another world be born

Let a bloody peace

Be written in the sky



Let a second generation

Full of courage issue forth

Let a people loving freedom

Come to growth.



Let a beauty full of healing

And strength of final clenching

Be the pulsing in our spirits

And our blood



Let the martial songs be written

Let the dirges disappear

Let a race of men now rise

And take control.

FESTAC 77 brochure ( 1977: 9)



The above, is a song recited during the closing ceremony of FESTAC 77, the wordings conveys a message of hope, hope for a new generation, a call for the Africans to realize what it means to be free and make proper use of the resources available at their disposal to develop their various countries. Thus, FESTAC 1977 could rightly be seen as a demonstration and call for African unity and culture development.

The policy of Nigeria towards the African Diaspora has followed closely her continued determination to make Africa the centre piece of her foreign policy.