Practice and Correlates of Widowhood Rites in a City in North Central Nigeria
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2019
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Texila American University
Abstract
Objectives: This study determined the practice and correlates of widowhood rites in a city in North central Nigeria.
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used for the study. Multistage sampling
technique was used to recruit 450 respondents into the study. Interviewer administered questionnaire
and two focus group discussions were used for data collection. Data analysis was done using Epi-info
version 3.5.3. A p-value of 0.05 or less was regarded as statistically significant. The study included all
males and females over 18years of age residing in Ilorin South Local Government Area.
Results: The age range of respondents was between 20 – 79 yrs. A quarter of all respondents
(25.9%) were in the fifth decade of life. Widowhood rites commonly practiced in Ilorin South LGA as
identified by more than 70% of the respondents include; preventing the widow from going to the farm
and market during the mourning period and preventing her from doing household chores. About 16.2%
of respondents had ever practiced one or more forms of widowhood rites. There was a statistically
significant relationship between age, gender, religion, marital status, educational level, ethnicity and
occupation of respondents and the practice of widowhood rites (p< 0.05).
Conclusion: Widowhood rites are observed across different categories of people. Age, gender,
religion, marital status, educational level, ethnicity and occupation were significantly associated with
practice of widowhood rites. There is a need for legislation against harmful widowhood rites by
relevant stakeholders.
Description
Keywords
Widowhood Rites, Ilorin, Nigeria.