AN APPRAISAL OF OKWULA FESTIVAL IN BIRAIDU DISTRICT OF DEKINA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, 1939-2020

IMPACT OF OKWULA CULTURAL FESTIVAL ON BIRAIDU DISTRICT

Abstract

The Okwula festival is an important part of the cultural heritage of the people of Biraidu district of Kogi State, north-central Nigeria. The annual re-enactment of this festival serves as an opportunity for members of the community especially, sons and daughters of the area in Diaspora to reunite and re-enact family bonds, to learn new skills (traditional skills) and to celebrate the unity of the people. The celebration of Okwula festival involves a number of activities, including offering of sacrifices to the ancestors, performance of music and dance, display of traditional crafts, and merrymaking. This paper examines significance of Okwula festival to the people of Biraidu district from 1939 to 2020. The study revealed that, in addition to its cultural importance, the festival equally enhances social bonds among the consanguine, intergroup relations with their neighbours as well as providing economic incentives for the people. However, the advent of Islam and Christianity in the area especially from 1939 onward became an existential threat to the performance of this rich cultural heritage. The paper concludes that, despite the overwhelming influence and threat from Islam and Christianity, the celebration of Okwula festival continues to maintain its core rituals, uniqueness and values. In addition, contrary to the Eurocentric perception of Africa as a dark continent of pagan, it was revealed that Biraidu people and indeed African peoples are a religious people whose reverences for the supreme deity (God) are found in the various names they call Him.

Key words: Okwula festival, Biraidu district, appraisal, Islam and Christianity.