Cultural Policy and Practice: Conceptualizing the Nigerian Experience

Abstract

The propagation of racist theories to derogate the African person and, sometimes, the outright denial of his/her humanity are some of the legacies of several centuries of Western slavery and colonialism in Africa. A concomitant feature of these racist ideas is the glib proclamation of the rootlessness of the African by the denial of his/her pre-slavery evolution, growth and achievements in the sphere of culture. This trend is nowhere helped by the pervasive influence of globalization, which amounts, in large measure, to westernization. The paper thus discusses attempts at reversing the trend of thoughts, practices and propaganda against Africa's cultural heritage by exploring various cultural policies and programmes in the Nigerian nation. Its concern reflects both what is being done and what can still be done to strengthen various aspects of Africa's heritage and development. It call on Africans, and Nigerians in particular, to stem the tide of backwardness in the global market place by re-inscribing the foremost role of the African culture and worldview into the processes of development through a well-formulated and implemented cultural policies at all levels of society.


(J Cultural Studies: 2002 4(1): 79-108)