Civil Society in Cultural Preservation in Africa: Evidence from the Kambari People of Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examines the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in preserving endangered cultural practices among the Kambari communities of Kebbi and Niger States in Nigeria. It explores the major socio-cultural and linguistic factors that simultaneously weakened and sustained Kambari heritage, resulting in complex patterns of transformation in local identity and practice. Drawing on an ethnographic research design, the findings demonstrate that Kambari CSOs employ a hybrid preservation strategy that combines performative revivalism, including festivals, dances, and dramatized rituals, with documentary preservation efforts, such as archival documentation and the dissemination of digital media. These dual strategies foster intergenerational cultural transmission and reposition Kambari traditions within broader discourses of heritage and identity. Despite these achievements, the research underscores that cultural sustainability remains fragile, constrained by modernization, interethnic integration, and limited institutional support. The study concludes that a more context-sensitive, participatory, and policy-supported framework is essential to ensure the long-term survival of Kambari cultural heritage.