AMIDST WESTERN INFLUENCE: A STUDY OF THE POST-COLONIAL EZZA EZEKUNA NEW YAM FESTIVAL (OKE AKU)

The Ezza New Yam Festival (Oke Aku)is a significant cultural heritage and event that projects the identity and values of the people in the area. The event marks the end of planting yams, and the beginning of harvest and the new year in the Ezza indigenous calendar. With the increasing influence of Western culture, however, the festival’s traditional practices and significance are faced with various challenges. Using the Cultural Imperialism Theory and Cultural Hybridisation, the study examined the impact of Westernisation on the festival’s cultural heritage and its enduring relevance in the post-colonial Ezza. Using the theories, qualitative approach, and content analysis, the study explores the perceptions of the people regarding the festivals significance, the changes that have occurred as a result of Western influence, and the ways in which the Ezza are adapting to these changes while maintaining their cultural identity. The findings of the study reveal the resilience of the Ezza peoples cultural heritage and the essence of preserving traditional practices in the face of globalisation. This study contributes to the understanding of the complex dynamics between cultural tradition and modernity, highlighting the need for cultural preservation and promotion in the face of Western influence.