Performing Arts as Cultural Codes: An Ethnographic Exploration of Identity and Tradition through Iwa-Akwa Cultural Festivals

This ethnographic study investigates the performing arts within the Iwa cultural festival as a medium for cultural orientation and identity. The Iwa festival, celebrated triennially at Amuzi community in Imo State, Nigeria is a cornerstone of the community’s cultural expression and socioeconomic cohesion. It encompasses a variety of performances, including music, dance, and drama, which serve as a repository for communal values, history, and collective memory. This study delves into how these artistic expressions encode and transmit cultural knowledge, thereby orienting members, especially the youth, to their cultural heritage. The study examines the symbiotic relationship between the performing arts and the community’s cultural ethos through participant observation, interviews, and archival research conducted during the festival. The findings reveal that the performing arts are not mere entertainment but are imbued with pedagogical content that reinforces socioeconomic norms, moral values, and historical narratives. The festival’s performances act as a catalyst for intergenerational dialogue, where elders transmit cultural wisdom to younger participants dynamically and engagingly. The study also explores how modernity and globalization influence the traditional content of the festival. It assesses the adaptive strategies employed by the community to preserve the integrity of their cultural narratives while engaging with contemporary realities. The resilience of these cultural practices amidst external pressures highlights the flexibility of the performing arts as a form of cultural orientation. This case study contributes to the broader discourse on the role of performing arts in cultural sustainability. It posits that the Iwa cultural festival is not a static relic but is an active and evolving practice that facilitates cultural continuity. The performing arts emerge as powerful codes through which cultural orientation is effectively mediated, ensuring the perpetuation of the community’s unique identity and values in an ever-changing world.