HERITAGE CONTINUITY AND TOURISM READINESS IN EFIK AND QUA TRADITIONAL FESTIVALS IN CALABAR SOUTH NIGERIA

Abstract

This study assesses community perceptions of heritage continuity, participation, tourism contribution and institutional readiness surrounding Efik and Qua traditional festivals in Calabar South, Nigeria. Purposive survey of 400 active festival participants, equally drawn from Efik and Qua, using transparent descriptive statistics and evidence triangulation with the source narrative. 43% reported never participating, 40% regarded preservation as moderately important, and 40% considered the festivals culturally insignificant. Perceived economic effects were limited: 53 reported negligible community benefits, while 53 rated local-government support ineffective. Respondents nevertheless reported some visitor potential, with 65% perceiving at least a slight festival-period increase in tourist influx. Digital reach and environmental communication were weak; 45% reported negligible social-media influence and 48 perceived no tourist environmental knowledge. Implications: Festival policy should prioritise community co-production, historically accurate interpretation, transparent support, visitor services, environmental management and measurable marketing. By separating respondent perception from verified tourism performance, the study provides a defensible baseline for culturally respectful festival development and avoids treating reported visitor, employment or social effects as independently measured causal outcomes for future monitoring.