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The Revival of the Anyama Fishing Festival: Socio-Economic and Philosophical Implications for Community Development

Pages 85-106
DOI: 10.66286/ndjop.hocursqy
ORCID iD ORCID: 0009-0000-6110-9454 (Corresponding Author)
Keywords: Anyama Fishing Festival Cultural Heritage Community Development Socio-Economic Development African Philosophy Indigenous Epistemology Ijaw Ontology

Abstract

The Anyama community fishing festival, rooted in the traditional cultural practices of the Ogbia Ijaw people, has historically served as a vital focal point for communal identity, economic exchange, and social cohesion. This study examines the implications of revitalizing the festival for contemporary socio-economic development within the Anyama community and its environs, while foregrounding the philosophical dimensions of African communitarian values, indigenous epistemology, and Ijaw ontology that underpin the festival’s cultural significance. Adopting a historical descriptive research design, the study draws on primary oral interview data collected from ten purposively selected informants in March 2026, and on secondary sources including academic journals, institutional reports, and UNESCO frameworks. The study is exploratory-descriptive in intent, providing the first dedicated peer-reviewed account of the Anyama festival while laying the groundwork for future quantitative and longitudinal research. It argues that reviving the once-abandoned fishing festival holds significant potential for stimulating local economic growth through the promotion of trade, job creation, and small-scale entrepreneurship. It further highlights the festival’s capacity to enhance cultural tourism, attract visitors, and generate revenue, while reinforcing indigenous knowledge systems and preserving cultural heritage as a form of African knowledge production. Additionally, the festival serves as a platform for strengthening social capital, fostering communal unity, and encouraging active participation among community members, consistent with African communitarian philosophical principles. However, the study identifies key factors responsible for the decline of the festival, including the growing influence of Christianity, rural-urban migration among youths, weakened traditional institutions, and governance challenges including a disputed private claim over the communally owned sacred lakes. To address these issues, the study recommends collaborative efforts between community leaders and government agencies, particularly the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, to establish supportive policies and legal frameworks. The significance of the study lies in its contribution to cultural preservation discourse, its engagement with African philosophy of values and knowledge, and its practical insights for sustainable community development.

How to Cite

Danola, A. I. (2026). The Revival of the Anyama Fishing Festival: Socio-Economic and Philosophical Implications for Community Development. Niger Delta Journal of Philosophy & African Values, 1(1), 85-106. https://doi.org/10.66286/ndjop.hocursqy

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