Boki new yam festival how tourism has affeced the community

The Boki New Yam Festival is a significant cultural event in Nigeria, particularly in the Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State. The festival is celebrated annually to mark the arrival of the new yam crop, which is a staple food in the region. The festival has been a major tourist attraction in recent years, bringing in visitors from all over the world. However, the influx of tourists has also had both positive and negative impacts on the community.

Positive impacts:

  1. Economic benefits: The festival has created job opportunities for the locals, particularly in the hospitality industry. Many residents have opened up hotels, restaurants, and other businesses to cater to the influx of tourists.
  2. Cultural preservation: The festival has helped to preserve the cultural heritage of the Boki people. It provides a platform for the community to showcase their traditions, music, and dance to a global audience.
  3. Tourism revenue: The festival generates significant revenue for the local government and the state through tourism-related activities such as hotel bookings, food sales, and souvenir purchases.

Negative impacts:

  1. Overcrowding and noise pollution: The influx of tourists has led to overcrowding and noise pollution in the festival grounds, which can be overwhelming for the local residents.
  2. Environmental degradation: The festival has led to an increase in waste generation, which can contribute to environmental degradation if not properly managed.
  3. Displacement of locals: Some locals have reported being displaced from their homes and traditional farmlands due to the construction of festival infrastructure and the influx of tourists.
  4. Cultural commodification: The festival has also led to the commodification of local culture, with some tourists viewing the festival as a spectacle rather than a meaningful cultural experience.
  5. Infrastructure strain: The festival has put a strain on the local infrastructure, including roads, water supply, and sanitation facilities.

To mitigate these negative impacts, the local government and community leaders have implemented several measures, including:

  1. Sustainable tourism practices: Efforts have been made to promote sustainable tourism practices, such as eco-friendly accommodations and responsible waste management.
  2. Community engagement: The local government and community leaders have engaged with the community to ensure that the festival benefits the residents and that their concerns are addressed.
  3. Infrastructure development: The local government has invested in infrastructure development, including road construction and upgrading of water and sanitation facilities, to accommodate the influx of tourists.
  4. Cultural preservation: Efforts have been made to preserve the cultural heritage of the Boki people, including the establishment of a cultural center and the promotion of traditional music and dance.

In conclusion, while the Boki New Yam Festival has brought economic benefits and cultural preservation to the community, it has also had negative impacts on the environment and local residents. To ensure the long-term sustainability of the festival, it is essential to adopt sustainable tourism practices, engage with the community, and invest in infrastructure development.