POLITICS OF COVID 19 PALLIATIVES AND INTANGIBLE HERITAGE RESOURCES IN RURAL NIGERIA
Authors:
Elochukwu A. Nwankwo*
Abstract:
This is a case study research that was aimed at examining the relationship between the politics of COVID-19 palliatives and intangible heritage resources in rural Nigeria. Fifteen (15) local communities were randomly sampled from rural Nigeria. A total of seventy-six (76) key informants were purposively and conveniently sampled for the study. Participant observation was another qualitative research approach that was used in the study. The findings show that there is a more negative relationship between the politics of COVID-19 palliatives and the intangible heritage of the sampled traditional communities. Traditional dishes, indigenous values and traditional rulership system were among the worst hit in this negative relationship. The observational study revealed that the rate of hunger that was occasioned by the COVID-19 Lockdown Order made the rural dwellers accept whatever that was given to them as palliatives not minding the implications on their traditional value system. The study further posited that circular politics and other general scenarios should not be positioned to decimate the African traditional value system. The study has implications for the preservation of the African traditional value system during crisis or emergency situations like pandemics.