IBEKU CULTURAL PRACTICE OF CHILD-BEARING AND DEATH AND ASSOCIATED BURIAL RITES, UP TO 1896

Abstract

This paper understudied Ibeku cultural practice of child-bearing and death and associated burial rites, up to 1896. The work highlighted some salient points on believe associated with childlessness, birth and associated ceremonies, circumcision, naming ceremony, the male child, the female child and twin and other multiple births. Others included: natural death, premature death, suicide and manslaughter. This paper adopted historical methods such as: primary and secondary. This study is of the opinion that Ibeku pre-colonial cultural practices were traditionally patriarchal. Multiple births were even profaned during Ibeku pre-colonial cultural practices. This study recommended that Ibeku pre-colonial cultural practices should be transformed and modernized to ensure gender equality and promote multiple births.