RITUALS AND TABOOS RELATED TO DEATH AS A REPOSITORY OF TRADITIONAL AFRICAN RELIGIOUS IDEAS: EVIDENCE FROM THE TIV OF CENTRAL NIGERIA

Abstract

This paper examines Tiv Rituals and Taboo Related to Death as a Repository of African Religious Ideas with a focus on the Tiv Central Nigeria. It first of all makes clarification of some terms use in the study such as Tiv, death, rituals and culture. Furthermore, the paper discusses a metaphysical content of death rituals and taboos, the epistemological and axiological contents of death rituals and taboos in Tiv society. The study adopts an interdisciplinary method which makes use of interview, observation and secondary sources for gathering information. Data were presented in narrative form and analyzed thematically. The study observes that Tiv Rituals and Taboos related to death are instrumented in understanding the Tiv world view. The paper recommends among other things, that some metaphysical concepts associated with Tiv death, rituals and taboos be investigated empirically. It also further recommends that the curricula at various levels of our education system should include cultural taboos and rituals to enhance the learner’s understanding of traditional African religious and philosophical concepts.