TRADITIONAL BURIAL RITES AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC EFFECTS ON FAMILIES IN IKWERRE SOCIETY

Abstract

The study examined the relationship between traditional burial rites and the socio-economic condition of families in Ikweerr society using a mixed-method approach.  The population consisted of four thousand and seventy-three (473). A sample size of four hundred (400) was drawn from this population using the Taro Yamane formula. Stratified and multistage sampling techniques were used. A total of ten Focus Group Discussions were carried out in the target communities. The univariate data were analyzed using simple percentages. The qualitative data were transcribed and presented thematically based on research objectives. The qualitative and quantitative results revealed that traditional burial rites affect the wellbeing of the bereaved members, hence, generating a circle of poverty in the community. The study recommends that traditional burial rites should be controlled and supervised by government agencies such as the court where restriction can be placed on excessive burial rites while awareness creation should be done in churches, communities on the implication of this obnoxious practice that encourages these practices