New media and the sustainability of Igbo folktales: A digital approach to cultural preservation

Princess Ngozi Ndibe; Eko Pramudya Laksana

doi:10.62672/hucse.v2i2.25

Authors

Princess Ngozi Ndibe Nwafor Orizu College of Education
Eko Pramudya Laksana

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62672/hucse.v2i2.25

Keywords:

Artificial intelligence, Cultural preservation, Digital storytelling, Igbo folktales, Media ecology, New media, Oral tradition

Abstract

This paper explores the transformative role of new media technology in the preservation and revitalization of Igbo folktales within the broader context of digital cultural sustainability. Folktales have historically served as vital vehicles for moral instruction, cultural transmission, and social cohesion among the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria. However, the forces of globalization, urbanization, and technological advancement have threatened these oral traditions with extinction. Through a descriptive and analytical approach, this study investigates how new media tools including social media platforms, digital storytelling, podcasting, artificial intelligence, and virtual archives can serve as channels for promoting and enhancing the visibility of Igbo folktales in the digital era. Drawing on the theoretical frameworks of Cultural Transmission and Media Ecology, this paper examines the adaptation of Igbo oral narratives into multimedia formats and the implications of this transition for cultural identity and authenticity. Findings indicate that while new media foster inclusivity, interactivity, and global access, they also pose challenges such as cultural dilution, linguistic loss, and the digital divide. Nonetheless, when used responsibly, new media technology can complement traditional storytelling, providing sustainable avenues for transmitting indigenous knowledge and values. The paper recommends a hybrid model of cultural communication that integrates traditional and digital storytelling to ensure the continuity and global recognition of Igbo folktales in the twenty-first century.

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