AN ANALYSIS OF THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND RELIGIOUS IMPACTS OF BURIAL AND FUNERAL PRACTICES IN ONICHA, EBONYI STATE, NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background of the Study Human existence, according to traditional belief, was initially intended to be eternal and harmonious; however, the disobedience of Adam and Eve, as recorded in religious tradition, introduced death into human life. Since then, death has become an unavoidable reality that impacts all societies. Ojukwu (2001) explains that, in earlier times, corpses were discarded in the bush without burial. Over time, communities began to bury their dead in the bush instead of abandoning them. Eventually, this evolved into a practice of burying deceased individuals within their own homesteads. During the era when corpses were still buried in the wild, each community allocated a specific area for the burial of their dead, akin to what we now know as cemeteries. However, individuals who were considered evil or dishonourable were often buried in isolated areas specifically reserved for such cases. According to Asonibare and Ologun (1998), many societies across the globe celebrate events such as birth, marriage, and achievements with joy, whereas death is typically met with grief and solemnity. Yet, despite the sorrow associated with death, the living engage in various rites and ceremonies to honour the deceased and maintain spiritual harmony with their ancestors. These rituals are commonly observed through practices such as wake-keeps and secondary burials. Across many cultures, including in Onicha, funeral rites are deeply embedded within societal norms and serve to ease the transition of the deceased into the ancestral realm. Death, therefore, is the central event that necessitates funeral and burial rites. In the African cosmological framework, which views existence as a continuum, there is a unified perception of reality comprising three interconnected realms: the heavens, the earth, and the underworld. To sustain harmony across these realms, individuals believe it is essential to perform rituals that appease both the ancestors and the divine. As such, elaborate propitiatory customs are enacted to ensure that the spirits of the dead are not aggrieved and that peace is maintained between the living and the spiritual world. This belief underscores the importance of giving every corpse a dignified burial. Notably, humans are the only known species that bury their dead, a practice rooted not merely in hygiene but in spiritual and metaphysical beliefs regarding life after death. Archaeological evidence indicates that even early humans buried their dead with food and personal items, suggesting a belief in the continued existence of the deceased and the need to support them in the afterlife. Death rites and customs, therefore, arise from humanity's difficulty in accepting death as the final end of existence. They reflect the belief that life continues in another form and that appropriate measures must be taken to guide the departed toward their ultimate spiritual destination. These rites are also seen as a form of protection for the living, guarding against potential disturbances by unsatisfied spirits. In Onicha, such beliefs explain the elaborate and often expensive nature of funeral ceremonies, which are community events that honour the dead and carry out the rites needed to ensure their successful transition to the ancestral realm. In Onicha tradition, it is widely held that human beings possess an indestructible spiritual essence. Upon death, it is believed that ordinary individuals may become wandering spirits, while distinguished members of society transform into revered ancestors who continue to influence community life. These ancestral spirits are honoured and invoked as invisible custodians of the land. Therefore, funerals are not just private family affairs but communal undertakings that serve both social and religious functions. 1.2 Statement of the Problem In honouring the deceased, families in Onicha often spend substantial sums to conduct what are perceived as "befitting" burials. This practice has led to significant socio-economic and religious concerns. It is not uncommon for families to incur heavy debts, sometimes even resorting to selling land or other valuable possessions to fund the burial. These expenditures are driven by societal expectations and cultural obligations that compel families to meet the high demands associated with funeral ceremonies. This economic strain has destabilizing effects. Some families, unable to recover from the financial burden, end up in prolonged debt, which affects their quality of life long after the burial. In extreme cases, families continue to repay loans for years. Moreover, funeral ceremonies can become sources of conflict. After a person’s death, associations and individuals may present a litany of debts supposedly owed by the deceased, some of which may be fabricated. These claims further increase the economic pressure on the bereaved family. The burial committee—often made up of extended family members or the umunna—frequently presents a financial budget that far exceeds the capacity of the grieving household. Instead of acting as a support system, these relatives impose rigid demands and non-negotiable requirements, further intensifying the burden. This troubling situation prompts critical questions: Is there any rational or cultural justification for such costly burials? Why do supposedly sympathetic community members turn funeral events into lavish displays and social festivities? Why are bereaved families coerced by their kin into fulfilling excessive obligations under the guise of tradition? To answer these questions, this study seeks to explore the socio-economic and religious implications of burial and funeral rites in Onicha, Ebonyi State. The aim is to provide a deeper understanding of how these practices impact families economically, spiritually, and socially within the broader cultural context. 1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY The main objective of the study is to analyze the socio-economic and religious impacts of burial and funeral practices in Onicha, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Specifically the study seeks: 1. To examine if there is any justification for expensive burial 2. To  investigate the reason for the seemingly shift of emphasis from mourning and sympathy to entertainment and merry-making at burial 3. To ascertain if the advent of Christianity religion impacted traditional pattern for burial. 4. To determine if Kinsmen nonnegotiable funeral rite list lures decease family into debt. 1.4 RESEARCH QUESTION 1. Is there  any justification for expensive burial? 2. What is the reason for the seemingly shift of emphasis from mourning and sympathy to entertainment and merry-making at burial? 3.  Does the advent of Christianity religion impacted traditional pattern for burial? 4. Does Kinsmen nonnegotiable funeral rite list lures decease family into debt? 1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STYDY This study will serve as a working document which seeks to draw the attention of the society towards the need for attitudinal change because of the devastating impact of expensive burials on families. The work exposes the impact of Christianity on traditional burial in Onicha as most of the traditional burial and funeral rites have almost been replaced by Christian tradition. Most traditionalists get converted to Christianity shortly before they die or at the point of death with the intention of breaking away completely from their tradition in order to be saved. But when they die, the elders who are the custodians of culture struggle with the clergy over who should bury them which is uncalled for. Findings from the study will enlighten the elders and custodian of traditions to desist from burdening families with funeral rites which compels them loaning money and afterwards enter into debt. Finally the study will empirically add to the body of knowledge and serve as reference material to both students and scholars who wishes to conduct further studies in related field. 1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY The scope of this study boarders on the socio-economic and religious impacts of burial and funeral practices in Onicha, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. The study is however delimited to using Onicha Ebonyi State as case study. 1.7 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY The methods used for this research work were oral interviews and participant observation. In this work, primary and secondary sources of data collection were employed to collect data for this work. These primary sources include oral interviews and participant observation. A substantial number of elders and traditionalists who form the subjects for this study were interviewed on the subject matter. In the course of this work, the researcher attended some of the burial and funeral ceremonies in the area of study where he personally witnessed the rites as a participant observer. The secondary sources such as textbooks, magazines, journals, newspapers, published and unpublished materials were reviewed to capture various shades of opinion on the subject matter. The subjects in this study were mostly illiterates and the few among them who are educated were not knowledgeable enough to fill in questionnaires. The data collected were critically analyzed based on cultural area approach. 1.8 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY This research project, like all human endeavors, had some challenges that threatened to derail the study's completion. One of the reasons is that the time allotted for this work was so limited that the researcher did not have enough time to complete the task thoroughly. During data collection, the researcher also had to put forth extra effort to understand the respondents' interview schedules, several of whom fell into the incomprehensible age group. Also, there were finance and transportation constraints to deal with. Insufficient funds tend to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire, interview). 1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS Socio-economic: This is a combination of social and economic factors. In this case, it means the social and economic effects involved in the practice of expensive burial and funeral rites. Religious: This has to do with the spiritual. It is that which is directly rooted in or concerned with the mysterious in life i.e the mysteries which are the ultimate depth of personal life. It is non-physical, non-rational and dynamic. It is associated with the invisible and intangible in life. In this case, it means the possible effect or result which expensive burial and funeral rites have on the religious life of the people.  Implication: This means a possible effect or result of an action or something suggested or indirectly involved in a statement. In this case, it means the effect or result involved in the practice of expensive burial and funeral rites. Funeral (Ikwa ozu): This is a ceremony which marks a person’s death. It is carried out as a second burial or proper burial for the dead. It involves a complex of beliefs and practices, prayers and rituals used to remember the dead and usually undertaken in honour of the dead. Burial (Ini ozu): This means physical burial, the act of committing a dead body or corpse into the mother earth. Rites: Rite is a solemn or religious ceremony performed in an established or prescribed manner or the words or acts constituting or accompanying it. It is any formal practice or custom.