Edele Festival of the Itigidi People of Cross River State and Its Impact

The significance of cultural festivals in fostering the resilience of a people cannot be over-emphasised. These festivals are increasingly being celebrated by communities globally. This paper focuses on Edele festival of the Itigidi people in Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. Itigidi town is currently the headquarters of Abi Local Government Area. Hitherto referred to as ‘Little London’ by admirers, Itigidi has had so much impact on the surrounding communities through her history. Early in history, it acted as the centre of learning and missionary influence along the Cross River. Edele festival stands out as one of the annual festivals celebrated by Itigidi people in December. This paper argues that the benefits derivable from participating in Edele cultural festival are multi-dimensional. The festival ushers in peace, unity, and hard work among the participants and audience, and provides a forum for reflection among the people about their endeavours in the year. It symbolises the enduring legacy which their forefathers bequeathed to them, and rekindles in them a sense of commitment to the cause. In the process of gathering data for this study, the writers conducted interviews with some elder statesmen within and around the area on the significance of the festival. Findings confirmed that the Edele cultural festival has had far-reaching implications on the lives of the people and their neighbours. This paper is an attempt to examine the characteristics of Edele as a festival that should be sustained in the community.