ABSTRACT

The study analyzed local craft production and preservation made from raffia for tourism development in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District ofAkwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The study is on local crafts made from raffia in Ikot Ekpene with a view to revive the unique indigenous knowledge on craft for tourism development. The people of Annang Communities have developed exceptional skills in transforming raffia fibers into shoes, foot mats, handbags and numerous articles offashion. Primary data were collected using well structured questionnaire from four hundred and thirty-seven respondents selected through a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics,4-point rating scale and multiple regression model . Results showed that majority (75.9 percent) of local craft producers were within the age bracket of 30 — 50 years with a mean age of 49.5years. About 79.9 percent were male, majority (72.5 percent) which was married with a mean educational attainment. Majority (71.4) had crafting as their primary occupation. The result further showed the mean rating of traditional craft that should be preserved as Raffia Sandals (S=3.43), Raffia Wall Mat (S=2.83), Raffia Wallet (S=3.60), Raffia Cap(C=3.39) Puma Bag for men (M=3.27), Raffia Ladies Handbag(L=3.63) Raffia Camara Pulse(P=2.77), Raffia Big Box(B=2.92) and Raffia Table Mat(T=3.22) respectively. Findings further showed that fashion, religious believe, model legal system, packaging & western education, influence the appreciation of local crafts products respectively. Findings also showed that tourism development contribute to Revenue, Tax, Foreign exchange and Employment respectively, findings further showed that Lack oftechnical skills for production, Scarcity of raw material for craft production, Local craft has been overwhelmed by machine or industrial made products, Poor conditions of local road hinders effective and efficient production were the major constraint of local craft producers. Results further showed that prospect of production and preservation of local craft to include provision of adequate market information and dissemination, provision of basic infrastructures, provision of soft loan, government support by building of training centers were identify by respondents in the study area. It is the researcher contention here that ifthese local crafts are not studied and documented, they will go on extinction or remembered in stories and myths as is obtainable in some African countries. Therefore, harnessing the potentials of traditional crafts in the study area for tourism development will stimulate the growth of rural economy, serve as a vehicle for rural community developments, create awareness of people’s cultural heritage as well as generate employment opportunities as well as sustaining our local craft products from generation to generation.