Modernisation, Education, and Widowhood Practices among the Epie People of Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study is on educational attainment and attitude of Epie indigenes towards widowhood rites in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state. The study adopted survey research design with 370 structured questionnaires administered for data collection. 365 questionnaires were successfully retrieved and used for the analysis. The findings of the analysis confirmed that formal education influence attitude towards widowhood rites. It was also revealed that there is significant differences in attitude between indigenes with tertiary education and those without secondary education. The findings also confirm that significant differences exist in attitudes toward widowhood rites based on respondents’ level of education, gender and age. Lastly, the study concluded that gender moderates the relationship between educational attainment and attitudes toward widowhood rites. Based on these findings, it was recommended that there should be proper scrutiny of the widowhood rites practices with necessary modifications or amendment made by the relevant authorities so as to expunge harmful parts of the practices. Secondly, workshops and enlightenment campaigns should be conducted mostly in rural communities where the level of education is low so as to reduce the harmful practices associated with widowhood rites.