THE FUNERAL RITE SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF IN IGBO LAND


1.       FUNERAL  CEREMONIES (ILI NA IKWA OZU)
T    These traditional issues that people neglect and pay with their lives are as follows;

Funeral Ceremonies are all procedures leading from death to interment till after mourning period. It is a fundamental tradition of Ndi Igbo to bury their dead. Funeral ceremony is called “ili ozu or ikwa ozu” in Igbo Language. Once someone drops dead, a set of observances are carried out from family, kindred and village levels. The process involves the cries, weeping and sobbing of people at the bereaved home. Some families who are wealthy deposit the corpse in a mortuary to enable the bereaved family members carry out proper planning of the funeral. This is followed by an announcement for the commencement of funeral rites by the head of the family to the kindred and village levels. Announcement of funeral involves invitation of entire family, in-laws, kindred and village people.
In some localities, the head of the bereaved family presents

kola nuts, hot drinks, Palm wine  and food
 In some other localities the family or nearby neighbours contribute to host the kindred and village men and women. Among other arrangements are the visits – for a man to his maternal home, and for a woman her maiden home. In Igbo culture, the two relations responsible for a man’s welfare are his kinsmen and his maternal village. For a woman, her maiden home and her matrimonial family must be consulted for participation





Location: Gregory University, UturuNigeria

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