Archaeology & Anthropology
Permanent URI for this communityhttps://repository.ui.edu.ng/handle/123456789/279
Browse
31 results
Search Results
Item Symbolic representations of money among Igbo traders in Ladipo international market, Lagos(Goldline and Jacobs Publishing for The Igbo Studies Association, 2019) Ukpokolo, C.; Okereafor, J. O.This article is a product of an ethnographic study of Ladipo International Market, Lagos Nigeria, focusing on symbolic representations of money among the Igbo traders in the space. Interactions amongst the traders, and with their clients have led to the development of form of relationships with shared interests and meanings. These, coupled with the organisational culture of the market, contribute to its peculiarity, and are critical to successful business transactions. This article identifies the practices, ideas and objects the traders symbolically construct as money, and how the constructs mediate intra- and inter- group relations, and finally identifies the patterns in the traders' behaviours and social relationships when money mediates exchanges, and how symbolic meanings further reshape social relationships. The focus is not only to understand the observable phenomenon, but also to unveil the meanings that underlay the practice. The study adopted ethnographic approach, using such methods as in-depth interviews, participant observation and life history. Relevant documents were also consulted. Collected data were analysed qualitatively. The study establishes that 'importation', 'imara anya ahia' (knowledge of trading skills), 'containers' and exotic cars are symbols of money. Relationships are structured along the social categories engendered by these symbols on the one hand, and 'Master' and 'nwaboy' (apprentice) line on the other hand, with each further invoking relational patterns and meanings.Item Hospitality and tourism development in cross River State, Nigeria: a case study of Obudu mountain resort(Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies Faculty of Arts, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, 2019) Ukpokolo, C.; Folorunso, O. S.Over the past decades, tourism has experienced continued expansion and diversification, becoming one of the largest and fastest-growing economic sectors in the world. Many new destinations have emerged, challenging the traditional ones in Europe and North America. The continuous growth of the international tourism market makes it significantly more competitive than ever and raises the need to prioritise the development of hospitality facilities to ensure tourists’ comfortability at various tourism destinations. This article examines the hospitality’ facilities at Obudu Mountain Resort, Cross River State, Nigeria with a view to establishing the extent to which they contribute to tourists' comfortability and subsequently tourism development in Cross River State, Nigeria. Qualitative and quantitative methodologies were used. Findings were analysed using descriptive statistical tools of frequency> counts, simple percentages and tables for quantitative data while qualitative data were analysed descriptively. The article established that hospitality facilities such as the canopy walk way, the cable car, the landscape, well-equipped mountain villas, coupled with the serene environment and unique climatic condition at the resort provide complete touristic experience for the tourists. Majority of the respondents are of the opinion that these facilities contribute the most to their decision to choose the resort for holiday. To ensure the sustainability of these facilities, the state government outsourced the maintenance of some of these facilities. This management strategy ensures sustainability of the resort and their continuous patronage by tourists. The article concludes that hospitality facilities when managed properly contribute to tourism development as exemplified in Obudu Mountain Resort. The resort also significantly contributes to tourism development in Cross River State and in Nigeria.Item What has anthropology got to do with It? the interface between anthropology and tourism(2018) Ukpokolo, C.Although there are obvious differences between anthropology and tourism in terms of goals and approach, anthropology and tourism share certain similarities as the two fields focus on specific spaces, paying attention to the ways of life of those whose lives are defined on such spaces. This article explores the interconnectedness that exists between anthropology and tourism, in order to establish the areas anthropology can enhance tourism and tourism studies. I have incorporated my experiences as an anthropologist and an academic in higher education institution, particularly experiences gained supervising the dissertations of postgraduate students in anthropology and tourism studies. I have discussed how the adoption of ethnographic approach in research projects carried out by students working on the area of tourism in the two disciplines brought insights into the experiences of tourists and members of the local communities at the tourist destinations. The article concludes that anthropology can enrich the discipline of tourism through its ethnographic enquiries, expertise and knowledge that are indispensable in the promotion of tourism and enhancing knowledge production in tourism studies.Item Symbolic representations of money among Igbo traders in Ladipo international market, Lagos(Goldline and Jacobs Publishing for The Igbo Studies Association, 2019) Ukpokolo, C.; Okereafor, J. O.This article is a product of an ethnographic study of Ladipo International Market, Lagos Nigeria, focusing on symbolic representations of money among the Igbo traders in the space. Interactions amongst the traders, and with their clients have led to the development of form of relationships with shared interests and meanings. These, coupled with the organisational culture of the market, contribute to its peculiarity, and are critical to successful business transactions. This article identifies the practices, ideas and objects the traders symbolically construct as money, and how the constructs mediate intra- and inter- group relations, and finally identifies the patterns in the traders' behaviours and social relationships when money mediates exchanges, and how symbolic meanings further reshape social relationships. The focus is not only to understand the observable phenomenon, but also to unveil the meanings that underlay the practice. The study adopted ethnographic approach, using such methods as in-depth interviews, participant observation and life history. Relevant documents were also consulted. Collected data were analysed qualitatively. The study establishes that 'importation', 'imara anya ahia' (knowledge of trading skills), 'containers' and exotic cars are symbols of money. Relationships are structured along the social categories engendered by these symbols on the one hand, and 'Master' and 'nwaboy' (apprentice) line on the other hand, with each further invoking relational patterns and meanings.Item Cultural reconstruction of iwa ji festival in Igbo-ukwu and fractured Igbo identity(2018) Ukpokolo, C.; Okoye, O.; Lawuyi, T.Indigenous festivals in many African societies are under the threats of extinction as a result of modernisation and the impact of the Christian religion on the life of the people. In southeast Nigeria, Iwa Ji Festival, which is an annual yam festival celebrated to thank the Supreme Being and the gods for the provision of subsistence, has faced with the challenge of abandonment in recent decades. Scholars have noted the cultural meanings associated with the festival and its potentials in the sustenance of the people’s cultural identity, as well as the promotion of tourism, and have consequently suggested the need for its reconstruction for general acceptability. This reconstruction has been carried out. This paper examined constructed Iwa Ji Festival as a fusion of the indigenous Iwa Ji Festival and modern practices and argued that the reconstructed festival is a reflection of Igbo fractured identity. Using Turner-Schechner Model of performance as social dramas for an explanatory model for this study, the authors argued that the advent of modernity and Christian religion created a breach in the people’s cultural experience. The redressed stage is represented in the reconstruction and repackaging of the festival for more acceptability. Re-integration stage set in as the festival gained more acceptability following its reconstruction, and subsequently, participants experience transformation. An ethnographic approach was employed for data generation. Data were analysed descriptively.Item Sogidi sacred grove and the construction of the collective Identity of Awe people, Southwest Nigeria(2017) Ukpokolo, C.; Lameed, A.Groves are imbued with meanings that define how members of a local community relate with landscape and construct reality that defines their collective identity. This article examines Sogidi sacred grove in the context of the construction of the collective identity of Awe people, southwest Nigeria. Techniques of data collection were participant observation, key informants interviews and focus group discussion. The article establishes that Sogidi sacred grove, Awe, imbued with immense religious-cultural values, constitutes the centre of the „being‟ of Awe people. The grove is perceived as the goddess of fertility and its water, “water of life”, signifies the past, the present, and because of the people‟s belief in her healing powers and ability to give children, she also represents the survival, future and the continuity of the Awe people. Allegiance to common beliefs and values associated with Sogidi contributes in building group solidarity among community members, and defining the people‟s collective identity. Many community activities are conducted at Sogidi site, indicating a sense of communality Sogidi grove invokes in the people. Most of the indigenes maintain that Sogidi grove is a gift of the Supreme Being to the town due to the supernatural powers they associate with the site, and its economic significance.Item Security and tourism development at nature conservation centre Lagos, Nigeria(2017) Ukpokolo, C.; Dawodu, A. O.Insecurity constitutes a challenge to tourism development globally. Yet, tourism industry is a major contributing factor to the economic development of many nations, with multiplier effects such as the creation of direct and indirect jobs and the enhancement of world’s peace. This study focuses on security and tourism development in Nigeria, using Nature Conservation Centre, Lagos as a case, paying attention to the extent to which the security measures at the Centre contribute to tourists’ security at the Centre, and the promotion of tourism. Quantitative and qualitative approaches were employed in data collection, using such methods as key informant interviews, in-depth interviews, participant observation and questionnaires. A sample size of 146 research participants participated in the study. Analysed data were presented using descriptive statistical tools of frequency counts, percentages and tables, while qualitative data were presented qualitatively. The study established that the management of Nature Conservative Centre is safety conscious, and has put in place safety measures to make tourists feel safe at the Centre. Security personnel are employed, and Complaints Register and other intelligence that are not made known to outsiders are available. The Centre also builds relationship with Lagos State Security Watch, the Nigeria Police via Police Community Relations Committee and community policing. The management is working towards introducing technologically innovative security measures such as E-gate, which will help to synchronise all the security system at the site. Tourists at Nature Conservative Centre feel safe, leading to an improvement in patronage. Improving on security at the Centre requires more training for security personnel, improvement on security information at strategic places, and provision of feedback on security measures. Tourists are likely to visit destinations where their lives and property are safe, while providing them with relaxation, recreation and memorable experience.Item Self-representation and the construction of the igbo world among igbo students in a public university in Nigeria(2015) Ukpokolo, C.Construction of a distinctive cultural identity in a heterogeneous community entails employing cultural symbols to portray a group’s peculiarity. Within the university space in Nigeria, Igbo students re-enact the Igbo world through the employment of cultural symbols and ceremonials for the construction of an Igbo cultural identity. This study employs empirical evidence to explore how the Igbo world is re-enacted through ethnic identity construction within the territoriality of the university.1 By looking at how the local culture is translocalised in the university space, I explore the Igbo world in the context of this multi-ethnic, yet peculiar environment. The questions are: how do Igbo students in public universities in Nigeria (re)construct Igbo identity in the university space, using cultural forms, symbols, and ceremonials? In what forms do the conferred connect with the larger university community as a symbol of the “self” and the “collective,” reflecting group distinctiveness and contributing to the sustenance of the Igbo world in the university environment? This study has implications on the sustenance of Igbo cultural identity in a globalising world.Item Reality TV shows and the shifting youth identity in Nigeria: maltina dance all as a case(Faculty of the Social Sciences, University of Nsuka, Nigeria, 2015-07) Ukpokolo, C.; Okocha, M.This paper examines the shifting identity of youth as reflected in the role they and adults play in Maltina Dance All, a Nigerian reality TV programme. Besides the globalisation thesis, the paper pays attention to the roles the young people and their adult relatives play in Maltina Dunce All reality TV show, bringing out the meanings invoked in parents participation in the programme, and the implications of this on youth identity, and on the Nigeria social space. The study adopts Scheduler's performance theory as a framework to interpret the patterned behaviour of youth and adults in the show. Qualitative methods of in-depth interview, focus group discussion and observation were used for data collection. Informants included 45 undergraduate students of University of Ibadan, Nigeria, who are regular viewers of Maltina Dance All, and 25 adults who are parents. Older adults were interviewed to discover their perception of adults' participation in the programme, and what it portends for youth identity and the socio-cultural change in Nigeria. Analysis of data involved descriptive and interpretive analyses. Participation in reality TV programmes offers the youth the opportunity to create hegemony of power and presence, establish their autonomy and circumvent the control of the adult. Capitalising on the periphery, through centring the youth culture, young people emerge as leaders while parents learn from their children the dance steps and the expectations of the panel of judges. This cultural reversal demonstrates the shifting identity of youth as occasioned by the influence of media-led globalisation and innovations in information technology on Nigeria’s sociocultural development.Item Collective memory and oriki in the context of owu origin, Southwest Nigeria(2014-12) Ukpokolo, C.