Diaspora reconnection with homeland religion, cultural and heritage festival celebration

Abstract

This study was undertaken to examine and gain better understanding of the impact that “modernization” or “urbanization” has on members of the diaspora community. Using the Osun Osogbo festival in Nigeria as a case study, the study examined the perception of these members of the Nigerian diaspora community to the festival, their notion of cultural tourism celebration and their desire to participate. The study explored these migrants’ reservations with celebration activities at the Sacred Grove during the festival. This exploratory study employed a qualitative research design based on in-depth interviews to elicit data. The target population were first-generation Nigerian migrants of Yoruba descent who live in South Africa. Findings from the migrants’ experiences revealed that their reluctance was due to their reservation on the spiritual or religious undertones attached to these spiritual festivals. Many of these returning migrants no longer desire to be identified with local religious or spiritual celebrations. By tapping into tourism and heritage, the study thus submits that, enhancing the relevance of the grove and the festival, as a tool to improve cultural and heritage tourism will best be achieved if religion can be separated from cultural celebrations.