Building our Cultural World: A Post-COVID-19 Assessment of Okorobo Festival in IfakiEkiti, Ekiti State

Resumo

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted traditional cultural events globally, affecting their planning, participation, and cultural values. The study examined a post-COVID assessment of the Okorobo festival and how cultural festivals can be revived again after COVID-19. Data were collected using 70 copies of well-structured questionnaires retrieved out of 100 copies distributed to respondents. The results show that the festival's ratings, compared with the previous ones, are below average due to the low level of patronage and participation, with over 50% of the respondents attesting to the low patronage level compared with previous events. It was also found that bad government policies have limited the growth of the cultural festivals in the state. The results show that 45 respondents, representing 64.3%, agreed that policies were unfavourable about the state's tourism issue. The study also found that the town did not have some basic amenities that could make the festival successful. The study recommended that the patrons get themselves vaccinated and that all measures be taken to curb the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus. Furthermore, the government should increase their stake in tourism by providing favourable policies and amenities that can help the growth of cultural tourism within the study area and the state at large. It was also recommended that the government and well-meaning indigenes work hand in hand to ensure that the festival is elevated to meet world-class festivals, as this will help increase IGR at local and state levels