There are moments in the cultural tourism history of a people when an individual does not merely participate in an existing tradition but provides the creative imagination that transforms it into a new cultural experience.
In Ekiti State, one name that stands out in this regard is Professor Rasaki Ojo Bakare, a renowned cultural practitioner, choreographer, festival director and scholar whose contributions have helped shape the development of cultural festivals and tourism in Nigeria and across the world.
Profile of A Cultural Icon
Born in Aramoko-Ekiti in 1964, Prof. Bakare is a Playwright, Performance Director, Professor of Choreography and Performance Aesthetics, and Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Letters, the highest academic recognition in the humanities.
After his secondary education in 1981, he trained in theatre under Jimoh Aliu and Hubert Ogunde before proceeding for higher education. He earned a National Certificate in Education in 1985, a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts in 1989, a Master of Arts in Playwriting and Play Directing in 1991, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Dance and Choreography in 2000.
The first Professor of Dance in West Africa, he began his academic career as a Graduate Assistant in 1990 and rose through the ranks to become Senior Lecturer in 2000, Associate Professor in 2005 and full Professor in 2011.
He was Scholar-in-Residence at the University of the West Indies, Edna Manley School of Performing Arts and National Dance Theatre Company, Jamaica, in 2003, and a team leader in a collaborative research on African Musical Arts Education at the University of Pretoria, South Africa, in the same year.
Prof. Bakare has over 70 academic publications in peer-reviewed journals across the globe, while 15 of his written plays are published. His creative works have represented Nigeria in international competitions, winning trophies and medals, including the Friendship International Festival, North Korea in 1997; Afrika-in-Tyrol Festival, Austria, 1999; Africa Peace Tour, Mozambique, 2002; Gauteng Carnival, Soweto, South Africa, 2010; and the World Festival of Arts and Crafts, India, in 2023 and 2026.
He served as Choreographer of the Gambia National Troupe from 1994 to 1996, Head of Drama, National Troupe of Nigeria, in 2001, and Artistic Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National Carnival, Abuja, from 2009 to 2013.
Among his over 200 directed performances are three presidential inauguration command performances: Jagunmolu (1999), Voyage (2007) and Langbodo (2011). He also directed the opening and closing ceremonies of the National Sports Festival in 2004, NUGA Games in 2009, Nigeria Police Games in 2016, and supervised the performances at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2009.
A recipient of the Ekiti State Merit Award in 1997, Ekiti State Cultural Ambassador in 2013 and National Cultural Ambassador in 2024, Prof. Bakare has received over 200 other awards nationally and internationally. Since 2019, he has been Ekiti State Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy and Chairman of the Forum of State Commissioners of Arts, Culture, Tourism, Heritage and Creative Economy in Nigeria.
His propounded theory of African Theatre, famously known as _Performative Trinity_, attracted 60 chapters from over 70 scholarly contributors in a London-published book in 2024.
EKIFEST: A Cultural Initiative Born In 2012
Prof. Bakare’s influence on Ekiti’s cultural tourism landscape can be examined through two significant developments: the establishment of the Ekiti State Festival of Arts and Culture (EKIFEST) in 2012 and the transformation of Aramoko-Ekiti Day into the Aramoko Festival (ARAFEST) in 2016.
EKIFEST was established in 2012 during the first term of former Governor Dr John Kayode Fayemi. Prof. Bakare, who personally wrote and submitted the proposal to the state government, subsequently became its permanent chairman, bringing his expertise in choreography, carnival organisation, performance direction and cultural programming to the festival’s development.
Under his professional influence, EKIFEST provided a platform for celebrating Ekiti’s cultural heritage, discovering young talents, encouraging community participation and connecting arts and culture with tourism and economic development.
The festival has featured cultural carnivals, traditional performances, local government exhibitions, cuisine competitions, traditional games, fashion, poetry, music and creative showcases.
ARAFEST: The Transformation Of Aramoko Day
Another important chapter unfolded in Aramoko-Ekiti in 2016, when the community’s traditional Aramoko-Ekiti Day celebration was transformed into ARAFEST following consultations with Prof. Bakare, who was then Director-General of the National Carnival in Abuja.
The reimagining reflected an ambition to move beyond a conventional community celebration and create a structured cultural festival capable of showcasing the town’s identity, history, traditions and creative potential.
ARAFEST introduced a broader festival format featuring carnival displays, indigenous performances, music, cultural exhibitions, pageantry and community participation.
Aramoko’s traditional quarters — Isasa-Ijowa, Anaye-Ikunato, Oke-Oja and Isao — became part of the community’s cultural storytelling, providing opportunities to celebrate local identity and bring residents and visitors together.
The transformation demonstrated that a community celebration could become a cultural attraction, heritage could become an experience, and local identity could become a tourism asset.
Connecting Heritage With Tourism
Although EKIFEST and ARAFEST emerged at different times and on different scales, both reflect Prof. Bakare’s approach to cultural tourism development: identifying cultural assets, presenting them through compelling experiences and creating opportunities for performers, artisans, entrepreneurs and communities.
EKIFEST offered a statewide platform for arts and cultural expression, while ARAFEST illustrated how a traditional community celebration could be reimagined as a professionally organised festival.
Together, the two festivals demonstrate how festivals can develop into cultural ecosystems that connect artists, entrepreneurs, communities and visitors.
Culture As Economic Development
One of the central ideas associated with Prof. Bakare’s approach is that arts, culture, tourism and the creative economy should not be separated from economic development.
Festivals can create opportunities for local businesses, hospitality providers, fashion designers, musicians, performers, food vendors, artisans and other creative entrepreneurs. They can also help young people develop their talents and give communities platforms to showcase their products and cultural resources.
The underlying principle is straightforward: identify the culture, document the heritage, package the experience, engage the community, attract visitors and create economic opportunities.
When properly planned and promoted, festivals can support cultural preservation while contributing to tourism development and local livelihoods.
Festivals As Tourism Products
Perhaps one of the most important lessons from the development of ARAFEST and EKIFEST is that culture can become a compelling tourism product when it is made accessible and experiential.
People travel not only to visit but to experience a community’s music, food, dance, crafts, stories and traditions. A well-organised festival gives visitors a reason to spend time in a destination, interact with its people and uncover attractions they might otherwise overlook.
For Ekiti State, this creates opportunities to connect cultural festivals with waterfalls, mountains, warm springs, caves, historical landmarks, traditional crafts and other tourism assets.
Visitors attending EKIFEST have always been encouraged to explore destinations across the state, while ARAFEST has served as an entry point for uncovering Aramoko-Ekiti’s history and community life.
A Legacy Beyond Government
The development of EKIFEST and ARAFEST depended on the contributions of government officials, traditional rulers, community associations, artists, cultural workers and organisers.
Nevertheless, Prof. Bakare’s professional contribution deserves specific recognition. His experience in festival management, choreography and carnival production helped connect cultural preservation with public entertainment, community participation and tourism promotion.
His subsequent service as Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, and later in the arts, culture and creative economy portfolio, added a public policy dimension to his longstanding engagement with the sector.
His contribution can be understood through an enduring idea: culture is not merely something to remember; it is something to nurture, document, curate, promote and preserve.
EKIFEST provided the statewide platform. ARAFEST demonstrated the possibilities of community-based cultural transformation. Prof. Bakare helped connect these two chapters in the development of cultural tourism in Ekiti State.
Performing Troupe: Preparing For The Future
The Ekiti State Performing Troupe Company was also created to run an independent commercial service that will outlive his tenure as Commissioner. Established in 2022, the group has represented Nigeria in four countries with over 10 Ekiti indigenes in its performance team.
After winning presidential favour to perform at Aso Rock, the troupe has won several awards in and outside Nigeria for Ekiti State and Nigeria.
