Resuscitating, Revitalizing and Re-Establishing the Diminishing the Traditional Igbo Food Cultures
Conference: The 23rd Annual International Conference of the Igbo Studies Association (ISA) (2026)
Presenter(s): Sabbas Asoegwu — Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria, Nwakuba, Nnaemeka R. — Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
Tags: Conference 2026
Abstract
The Igbos have a rich food system embedded in their traditions and culture. It is rich in nutrition, medicine, and social value. Presently, it is declining and going extinct. This paper critically examined the nutritional and health values of traditional Igbo foods, the causes of its decline in use in present Igbo food cultures (like urbanization, lifestyle shift, reduced agricultural output and neglect of traditional farming) and proffered ways to resuscitate, revitalize and re-establish the rich Igbo food cultures through youth engagement, modernizing the traditional dishes, emphasizing the roles of families, schools, the media and government in traditional Igbo food production, processing, preservation and utilization, as well as Igbo food culture integration in education, apprenticeship and mentorship. It also highlighted the importance of documenting and commercializing traditional Igbo foods for global visibility.
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