Intrinsically carved door-frames showing Yoruba taste for traditional beauty
The 1st Ekiti State Festival of Culture and Arts Expo christened EKIFEST 2012 will be held between 9th and 15th September 2012.
The State Commissioner for Culture, Arts and Tourism who gave the information at a meeting he held with Community Development and Area
Education Officers in Ado-Ekiti called on relevant Stakeholders to identify all cultural heritages in the state to make the festival a worthwhile experience.
He charged them to carry out necessary research and mobilize people as well as create awareness at the grassroots, saying all the cultural activities of each Local Government should be harnessed for presentation at the event.
The Commissioner pointed out that the essence of the festival is not to worship any idol but rather an effort towards the identification of the various latent potentials of the homogeneous people of the state with regards to their rich culture and outstanding creative ability in arts and crafts.
Alhaji Jinadu stated that Ekiti has the largest collection of carved doors in Africa as evident in Oye and Ise Ekiti, while the legendary Late Olowe from Ise- Ekiti, is one of the most renowned wood carvers in Africa.
According to the Commissioner, EKIFEST 2012 is aimed at promoting the culture of Ekiti people and harnessing the tourism potentials of the state to drive indigenous economic enterprise, generate employment and ultimately make Ekiti state a toursm destination.
While thanking all the Stakeholders for rising up to the challenge, the Commissioner stressed Governor Fayemi’s interest in the social, cultural and philosophical re-orientation and reawakening of the people with a view to exposing every cultural material in the state for possible consideration into the UNESCO Heritage site list.
He submitted that UNESCO Heritage site is a place of human enduring activities such as forest, lake, springs and monuments which as at 2012 has listed 961 around the world, out of which 745 are cultural, 187 are natural, while the remaining 29 are mixed properties.
Last modified: July 24, 2012
