Assessment of the Documentation and Archiving of Oral Dramatic Traditions in Imo State

Oral dramatic traditions in Imo State constitute an irreplaceable cultural heritage that is progressively disappearing due to social change, urbanisation, and inadequate documentation, and systematic archiving is essential for their survival and study. This study assessed the current state of documentation and archiving of oral dramatic traditions in Imo State, South East Nigeria, focusing on Owerri Municipal, Orlu, and Okigwe Local Government Areas. A descriptive qualitative design employed interviews with 15 oral performance practitioners, 8 cultural officers, 5 university folklore researchers, and 3 archival staff at the Imo State Culture Centre. Documentary review of existing archives was conducted. Results showed that fewer than 15 percent of known oral dramatic traditions in the three LGAs had received any formal documentation. Most documented materials were held in individual researchers' personal collections rather than accessible archives. Digital documentation had been applied in only 3 of 15 practitioner portfolios reviewed. Cultural officers reported a critical shortage of trained archivists at the state culture centre. Elderly practitioners who were sole custodians of specific performance traditions were identified in 6 communities. The study concludes that oral dramatic heritage in Imo State is at significant risk of irreversible loss. Recommendations include establishing a state digital oral performance archive, funding community documentation projects, training youth archivists, and integrating oral dramatic tradition preservation into Imo State cultural policy.

Keywords: oral dramatic traditions, documentation, archiving, Imo State, cultural heritage