DIGITAL DOCUMENTATION OF IGBO CULTURAL HERITAGE AND ITS PRESERVATION IN A PLURALISTIC NIGERIAN SOCIETY

Abstract

Abstract The Igbo, as one of the three major ethnic groups in a pluralistic Nigerian society, is known for her profuse endowment with multifarious and rich cultural heritage. It is regrettable that this array of Igbo cultural heritage lacks digital documentation. There is currently a perceived danger that most vital aspects of Igbo cultural heritage are still unknown to the young generation, and might be lost as time goes on if not digitally documented. This has made compellingly imperative the need for contemporary Igbo scholars and intelligential to embark on a well-crafted digital documentation of Igbo cultural heritage. Thus, this paper, which examines “digital documentation of Igbo cultural heritage and its preservation in a pluralistic Nigerian society”, begins by taking a look at an overview of digital documentation. It goes ahead to examine Igbo cultural heritage in a pluralistic Nigerian society; digital documentation of Igbo cultural heritage; benefits of digital documentation of Igbo cultural heritage in a modern world; digital tools for documentation and preservation of Igbo cultural heritage; inherent snags in documentation of Igbo cultural heritage and ways of overcoming the snags. The paper adopted qualitative and descriptive research design method and relied heavily on secondary sources of data such as text books, journal articles and online materials. It concludes by stressing that the conversion of all paper-based documents containing Igbo culture, language, folklores, traditional religion, history, literature, proverbial sayings, norms, values and so on, into digital formats as well as creation of efficient document management system to guarantee their safety, is not only an onerous task that requires expertise but also a capital intensive project. As part of the way forward, the paper suggests the need for Igbo in the Diaspora and at home to work in energy in order to mobilize adequate funds for successful actualization of this noble project, digital documentation and preservation of Igbo cultural heritage.