The Role of the Church Towards Amelioration of Socio-Cultural Practices Inimical to Women Liberation in Igboland.
ABSTRACT
The study is focused on the role of the Church in the amelioration of socio- cultural practices inimical to women liberation in Igboland. The study focused on some of the evil practices against the freedom of women that have continued to persist in Igboland.
The method adopted is historical research methodology and utilized both primary and secondary sources of data collection. The primary sources of data collection were gotten through oral interview from knowledgeable individuals from around the state, on the research subject.
The secondary sources of data were derived from existing textbooks on the topic of research found in the library and archives. The researcher found out that Christianity has done much in emancipation of women from some of the evil practices in Igboland.
It was discovered that some parts of Igboland still subject widows to evil practices. It was discovered during the investigation that female circumcision is still being carried on in some part of Igboland. Women are still denied property ownership in some parts of Igboland.
The church played a vital role in amelioration of these cultural practices that are inimical to women. The church is still looked upon to continue to play their roles to help eliminate the persisting evil practices in the contemporary Igbo communities in different states throughout Igboland.
The researcher attempts to use this means to call on the church and the public to address the persisting inimical practices against women in the contemporary society.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page i
Approval page ii
Certification page iii
Declaration iv
Dedication v
Acknowledgment vi
Abstracts viii
Table of contents ix
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 Background to the study 1
1.2 Statement of the problem 4
1.3 Research Methodology 4
1.4 Purpose of the study 5
1.5 Significance of the study 5
1.6 Scope of the study 5
1.7 Definition of terms 6
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 10
2.1 Social Status of women in Traditional society. 10
2.2 Economic Roles of Women 14
2.3 Political Roles of Women 16
2.4 Factors at work in development of women’s status 18
2.5 Summary 21
CHAPTER THREE: SOCIO-CULTURAL PRACTICES INIMICAL TO WOMEN LIBERATION IN IGBOLAND 23
3.1 WIDOWHOOD PRACTICE 23
3.1.1Causes of Widowhood practice 25
3.1.2 Widowhood Rituals- Igba-Mkpe 27
3.1.3 Effects of Widowhood on Women 34
3.2 FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION 37
3.2.1 Classifications of female genital mutilation 39
3.2.2 The range of procedure involved in female genital mutilation 41
3.2.3 Reasons for performing female genital mutilation 43
3.2.4 The effect of female genital mutilation on the health of women 47
3.3 POLYGAMY 50
3.3.1 Reasons for polygamy 52
3.3.2 Effect of polygamy on women 56
3.4 MASQUERADE SOCIETY 58
3.4.1 Nature/origin of masquerade 59
3.4.2 Types of masquerade 60
3.4.3 Functions of Masquerade 65
CHAPTER FOUR: CHRISTIANITY AS A CATALYST OF WOMEN’S LIBERATION FROM SOCIO-CULTURAL PRACTICES INIMICAL TO THEIR DEVELOPMENT 72
4.1 The impact of Christianity on Igbo Culture 72
4.4.1 Western education 74
4.4.2 Religious and social freedom 76
4.4.3 Marriage System 78
4.4.4 Widowhood practice 80
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION 83
5.1 Summary of the findings 83
5.2 Contributions to knowledge 84
5.3 Recommendations 84
5.4 Suggestions for further Research 86
Conclusion 86
References 88
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Igbo people are an ethnic group living chiefly in South –Eastern Nigeria. The area is located in the tropical rain forest environment of West Africa. Igbo land lies between Longitudes 5o and 7˚ north of the equator.
Tribes with varying dialects surround them. On the North, the Igbo share a common boundary with Igala, the Idoma and the Tiv, on the South the Ijaw and Ogoni, East by the Ibibio, Anang, Yako, Umon and finally on the West, by Edo, Urhobo an Isoko people (Onwuejeogu, 1981) surround them.
The origin of Igbo people cannot be easily traced because of lack of records, which will help to explain the period, place of settlement and origin.
According to Ilogu (1974:11), “where the Igbo came from and when, will remain for a long time a matter of conjecture because of the absence of helpful records of archeological records by which to determine the date of settlement and place of origin”.
Shaw (1977:18) maintained, “Through oral traditions recorded by ethnologists, historians and some available archeological records, little has been known about the origin of Igbo people. Through these sources, it was found that Igbo-Ukwu area had been a center of Igbo civilization, which dates as far as ninth century B.C. or even more.
Onwuejeogu (1981:8) noted on the Igbo that, “a study of their way of life reveals that they were able to adapt effectively to the dense rain forest in Nigeria”.
REFERENCES
Achunike, H. C. (1995). Dreams of Heavens: A Modern Response to Christianity in Northwestern Igboland 1970-1990. Onitsha: Africana- feb. Publishers Limited.
Afigbo, A. C. (1989). “Widowhood Practices in Africa”: A Preliminary Survey and Analysis. A paper presented at a workshop on “Widowhood Practices” in Imo State Owerri June 6-7.
Agbasiere, J. T. (2000). Women in Igbo Life and Thought. NY: Rutledge. Agha, A. U. (2010). Ethics and Values 1. Unpublished Master degree lecture Note: Department of Religion and Cultural Studies, University of Nigeria Nsukka.
Agbasiere, J. T. (2006). Christianity and Culture: A Case Study of Unwana. Enugu.
Agbasiere, J. T. (2004). Secret Societies and how they Affect the Church and Society in Nigeria. In Ecclesiastic Journal Vol.4 No.1 Umuahia Theological College.
Agbasiere, J. T. (2004). Religious Ethics in a Permissive Society Abakiliki: Saps Nigeria.
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