THE SYMBOLISM OF DEATH AND BURIAL RITES IN EPIE-ATISSA, YENAGOA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, BAYELSA STATE
This paper on Symbolism of Death and Burial Rites in Epie-Atissa Clan in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State starts with a compendium exposition of burial rites and its symbolism in the study area. The researcher used the phenomenological methodology to carry out the research. This has not been documented in the study area and as such the problem that the study is meant to achieve in the Epie-Atissa peoples burial process. In the cause of this study, the researcher finds out that many symbolism are inherent in the people’s burial rite for example, the washing of the deceased corps before internment symbolizes purifying and beautifying of the deceased for his journey to the ancestral world because of the peoples belief that there is life after death, the shooting of canon when one dies symbolizes announcement the interring of the body of a deceased symbolizes that such person is still part of his or her family and his spirit can be consulted at any point in time by the living family members for protection amongst others. Nevertheless, much work has been done on other areas of the people’s culture but literature on symbolism on burial rites of the people is non-existence. Therefore, the literature that the study will generate would be of great relevance to the body of knowledge, for it will fill the gap on the people’s culture that was missing. It would also advertise the culture of the people to scholars for further research.
