THE SOCIO-CULTURAL EFFECTS OF ‘OPUADA OGIDIGA' TOTEM IN NEMBE, BAYELSA STATE, NIGERI

Abstract

Religious beliefs and practices are essential aspects of every society. Societies are defined by their religious beliefs and practices. One of the key beliefs and practices in most religions is the practice of totems. A totem can be an animal, a bird, a plant, an object, etc. Totems are animals, plants, objects, etc that a group of people see as carrying sacred power and can even be seen as re-incarnation of the gods or ancestors. Totems are sources of blessings and carriers of mystical powers. Totems are revered and celebrated with feasts and festivals. Totemic animals are preserved and protected from destruction. This paper uses socio-historical and hermeneutics methods to examine totemic beliefs and practices concerning Opuada Ogidiga among the Nembe people. The paper finds that beliefs in totem are real among the Nembe people. The paper concludes that people should be aware of the socio-cultural effects of totems and be tolerant of the beliefs of others