STUDY OF INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE AND CULTURAL HERITAGE AS COHESIVE FORCES AMONG SELECTED TRIBES IN NIGER STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

The study examined indigenous knowledge and cultural heritage as cohesive forces: a study of selected tribes in Niger State, Nigeria. Nigeria is a pluralistic nation with diverse ethnic and socio-cultural diversities. These diversities should be a source of strength and advantage to the nation, instead, there have been cases of crises and civil unrest due to these differences and lack of understanding between the people. The research design used was survey method and quantitative method was used to gather data from the respondents. The Scott Smith’s formula for selecting a sample from an unknown population was used to select a total of 385 respondents from the Gbayi, Nupe and Kadara tribes. The findings of the study were: Indigenous knowledge is peculiar to a particular set of experiences and rooted in a particular culture based in a certain geographical location. In addition, indigenous knowledge is most commonly distributed among certain demographic variables such as: gender, age and occupation. Furthermore, indigenous knowledge plays a vital role in enhancing the welfare and overall quality of life of the Gbayi, Nupe and Kadara communities in Niger State, Nigeria. The study concluded that indigenous knowledge, coupled with cultural heritage if positively deployed, will strengthen the cords of unity, cohesion and oneness in Nigeria. The study recommended that Citizens should be encouraged to teach the younger generation their mother tongue because languages play a vital role in bringing together a diversified society and that there should be constant traditional and cultural shows exhibiting the cultural artifacts and heritage of the people.