Heritage studies and challenges: implications on research results from Igboland, Nigeria

Heritage studies in the Igbo area of Nigeria (Southeast Nigeria) has been faced with some challenges which have greatly affected research in the area from culture-related disciplines like archaeology, tourism, anthropology, sociology, history, and religion. This study was aimed at identifying these challenges, their implications on research results and the way forward. Amongst the identified challenges include remote location of heritage resources, traditional taboos of the people, seasonality of traditional events, attitudinal differences of heritage custodians, and dilapidated state of most heritage resources. These challenges result to poor representation of heritage resources in research results from the area. The study concluded by suggesting tolerance to traditional values and collaborative research involving researchers and relevant stakeholders from the community. The principle of triangulation was employed in the methodology, with descriptive and evaluative methods used in the analysis of findings. Heritage research; Cultural heritage resources; Natural heritage resources; Ethnography; Traditional values; Igbo area; Tourism; Archaeology; Religion.