Modern Cultural Festivals as a tool for Africans in Diaspora in the development of their homeland communities: A case of Ekimogun Cultural Festival in Ondo kingdom of South western Nigeria .
Abstract
The position of Culture and its antecedents in Africa have been very vital to the process of reconstruction of African history. The need to delve into the roles played by Africans in diaspora as regards the development of their homeland communities was aimed at re-evaluating and revamping the versatility and conquering strength of African culture and tradition for which it had been known. Though, the 15th century trans-Atlantic slave trade scenario caused a major socio-cultural dislocation of Africans and created a huge lacuna between Africans at home and abroad, yet the 20th century migration changed the tide from a scenario of forceful detachment to that of voluntary movement which still ranged on. This changing trend permits the repair of the already damaged socio-cultural link between Africans at home and abroad. African cultural festivals have become a medium through which Africans celebrate, mark and commemorate various cultural occasions in various communities. The celebration of these festivals further raised the quest by Africans in diaspora to explore the cultural strength as a medium to genuinely contribute and work towards re-branding of the African cultural heritage and developing of homeland communities. This paper would delve into the concept of African diaspora and situate it within the sphere of the discipline of history. It would also focus on modern cultural festivals and how Africans in diaspora have used it in bringing about resounding development to their various homeland communities with special reference to Ekimogun Cultural festival in Ondo kingdom, South-western Nigeria.
Key words: African Diaspora, African History, African Culture, Tradition, Cultural Day Celebration, Migration, Cultural Festival, Ekimogun Festival, homeland communities.
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Awolola, O. (2018). Modern Cultural Festivals as a tool for Africans in Diaspora in the development of their homeland communities: A case of Ekimogun Cultural Festival in Ondo kingdom of South western Nigeria .. Afribary. Retrieved from https://afribary.com/books/modern-cultural-festivals-as-a-tool-for-africans-in-diaspora-in-the-development-of-their-homeland-communities-a-case-of-ekimogun-cultural-festival-in-ondo-kingdom-of-south-western-nigeria
Awolola, Olaolu "Modern Cultural Festivals as a tool for Africans in Diaspora in the development of their homeland communities: A case of Ekimogun Cultural Festival in Ondo kingdom of South western Nigeria ." Afribary. Afribary, 14 Apr. 2018, https://afribary.com/books/modern-cultural-festivals-as-a-tool-for-africans-in-diaspora-in-the-development-of-their-homeland-communities-a-case-of-ekimogun-cultural-festival-in-ondo-kingdom-of-south-western-nigeria. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
Awolola, Olaolu . "Modern Cultural Festivals as a tool for Africans in Diaspora in the development of their homeland communities: A case of Ekimogun Cultural Festival in Ondo kingdom of South western Nigeria .". Afribary, Afribary, 14 Apr. 2018. Web. 11 Jul. 2025. < https://afribary.com/books/modern-cultural-festivals-as-a-tool-for-africans-in-diaspora-in-the-development-of-their-homeland-communities-a-case-of-ekimogun-cultural-festival-in-ondo-kingdom-of-south-western-nigeria >.
Awolola, Olaolu . "Modern Cultural Festivals as a tool for Africans in Diaspora in the development of their homeland communities: A case of Ekimogun Cultural Festival in Ondo kingdom of South western Nigeria ." Afribary (2018). Accessed July 11, 2025. https://afribary.com/books/modern-cultural-festivals-as-a-tool-for-africans-in-diaspora-in-the-development-of-their-homeland-communities-a-case-of-ekimogun-cultural-festival-in-ondo-kingdom-of-south-western-nigeria