Women as Custodians of Indigenous Craft Skills and Their Contributions to Cultural Heritage Tourism Development in Inyi, Oji River Local Government Area, Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigates the role of women in preserving indigenous craft skills and their impact on cultural heritage tourism development in Inyi, Nigeria. In Inyi, women are the custodians of craft like pottery making. A qualitative research method was employed using semi-structured interviews, and participant observation, and documentary source. Key informants included potters, community leaders and tourism stakeholders who were knowledgeable about the indigenous knowledge of the study area. Inyi pottery represents cultural assets that could promote cultural heritage tourism development if harnessed properly. The rationale for the study is lack of empirical literature on Inyi women as custodians of craft (pottery making). Pottery making supports household livelihood. The study demonstrates cultural continuity and intergenerational knowledge transfer. However, the study identifies key challenges limiting women’s full participation in heritage tourism, including cultural erosion, inadequate infrastructure, limited access to finance and credit, weak markets linkages, weak institutional support, and low integration of craft production into formal tourism planning. The paper argues that empowering women craft custodians through capacity building, policy inclusion, and sustainable tourism frameworks can enhance cultural heritage tourism development in rural Nigeria. The study enhances tourism and heritage scholarship by emphasizing gendered perspectives in cultural resource management, providing policy insights that align with sustainable development goals focused on gender equality, decent work, and cultural sustainability.