Diaspora reconnection with homeland religion, cultural and heritage festival celebration

First-generation Nigerian migrants of Yoruba descent residing in South Africa often exhibit reservations about participating in spiritual or religious celebrations, including the Osun-Osogbo festival. This reluctance stems from their desire to distance themselves from local religious practices while maintaining a connection to their cultural heritage. The study suggests that enhancing the relevance of the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove and its associated festival as a tool for cultural and heritage tourism can be achieved by separating religion from cultural celebrations. Using a qualitative research design based on in-depth interviews, the study explored the perceptions and experiences of these migrants, highlighting the need to balance spiritual elements with broader tourism and heritage goals.

Umejei, A. L. (2022). Diaspora reconnection with homeland religion, cultural and heritage festival celebration. Pharos Journal of Theology, 104(1). https://doi.org/10.46222/pharosjot.10417