URHOBO BURIAL RITES IN AGBARHA-OTOR SOCIETY

ABSTRACT

The study examined Urhobo burial rites in Agbarha-Otor society. The method of this work was historical and analytical. The study carefully examined the origin and significance of burial rites in Agbarha-Otor society. The primary sources were: textbook, research materials, while oral interviews are to serve as the secondary source. The study investigated Urhobo burial rites using Agbarha-Otor society as a case study. A careful study of how burial rites is performed, the religious, social economic impact of burial rites in Agbarha-Otor society was examined. The researcher concluded that for the Agbarha-Otor peoples, before the introduction of colonial rule, burial rites were done to enable the spirit of the deceased join the ancestors. It was also concluded that the Urhobo believe that good people in the society who died metamorphose spiritually to the abode meant for such people to continue a better life called erhivwi (land the dead). It was recommended that to preserve burial rites among the Agbarha-Otor society in Urhobo land, traditional rulers, priests, scholars and the elderly ones who know this tradition should come together and revive the culture.