Prof. Ibrahim Malumfashi, a lecturer in the Department of Nigerian Languages at the Kaduna State University, says storytelling, poetry slam and musical performance are vital in preserving indigenous languages.
Malumfashi stated this on Friday in Kano, during a presentation at the ongoing Kano International Poetry Festival (KAPFEST).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event is being organised by the Poetic Wednesdays Initiative, an NGO promoting poetry and creative expression.
The professor said such cultural festivals also provide important platforms to promote storytelling, poetry and musical performance.
This, according to him, will go a long way to assist in preserving indigenous languages, documenting their evolution and helping younger generations connect with traditional and cultural heritage.
The don cited performances by veteran musician, Malam Sanusi Shata and contemporary artiste, Binta Labaran, popularly known as Fati Niger, as examples of how different generations could engage with their cultural heritage.
“To some people here, this is the first time of coming into contact with Shata’s rendition. To them, when they go back home, they will continue talking about that,” he said.
Malumfashi further described literary and cultural festivals as catalysts for promoting indigenous languages and cultural awareness.
“These kinds of festivals, to me, are the catalyst for the future,” he stressed.
He noted that although languages and cultures naturally evolve, deliberate efforts were required to prevent indigenous languages from losing their relevance.
Malumfashi also urged Nigerians to leverage digital platforms to preserve indigenous languages and make them accessible to younger generations.
“We will be able to say we have taken the indigenous languages to the internet. That’s the only place we are going to save them,” he said.
Earlier, the festival convener, Mr Salim Yunusa, the festival themed: “Reclaiming Languages”, underscored the need to strengthen indigenous languages without rejecting foreign languages.
Yunusa said Poetic Wednesdays Initiative had evolved over the past decade from an online poetry initiative into a community connecting writers, artists, scholars and cultural practitioners.
He also announced a development grant from the Nigerian Youth Futures Fund to support the initiative’s writing and advocacy fellowship.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a posthumous legacy award was also presented to late Dr Bashir Tofa, in recognition of his contributions to career development and the promotion of indigenous languages.
NAN also reports that the festival brought together poets, writers, musicians and other cultural practitioners from around the world to promote literary expression and celebrate Nigeria’s linguistic diversity. (NAN)
