Theatre-for-Development and Economic Sustainability: Revitalizing Traditional Skills in Eka Nung Ikot Community

Abstract

The notion of Theatre-for-Development (TfD) primarily focusses on mobilising, enlightening, educating, sensitizing, and informing individuals to foster necessary growth that enhances their well-being within a community, particularly in cultural contexts, which has become a significant concern in recent times. It is crucial to note that many traditional industrial practices that were employed by various African communities for local productions in order to support their economic survival are quickly and gradually being replaced by modern skills, techniques, procedures, and equipment due to advancements in technology, equipment, and techniques. The unexpected situation is that, despite the associated challenge of obtaining sophisticated equipment for the same reasons, many of these methods are foreign to the locals. The difficulty persists as local communities have diminished support for local production, with many fleeing to metropolitan regions due to the inability of local industries to sustain their livelihoods. Sadly, the negative progress is threatening to eradicate the natural skills, methods, and processes used in local manufacturing. In response to this issue, this paper highlights the value of Theatre-for-Development in an effort to revitalise traditional industrial processes and endangered African native talents for economic reliance and subsistence based on the experience of the Eka Nung Ikot Community. To intentionally address the economic problems that local and distant populations in Africa face, the study suggests using the Theatre-for-Development strategy.