BURIAL RITUALS AMONG IBIL PEOPLE IN OGOJA, CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA

The commemoration of the deceased is a widely embraced cultural tradition within the IbilOgoja Community located in Cross River State. The deceased are regarded with profoundrespect, as they are thought to maintain a unique connection with the living. This studyinvestigated the rites and embodied ritual practices related to burial within the Ibil Ogojacommunity. The research was founded on Ritual Theory. An ethnographic research designwas employed for the study, utilising in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, andobservational techniques for data collection. Participants were selected through purposivesampling for the study. Interview guide was used as instrument for data collection. Thematicanalysis was conducted to interpret the narratives provided by the participants, aiming toanswer the research questions. The findings indicated the Ibil Ogoja people do engaged inseveral ritual as rites for the dead to transit from the land of the living to the ancestral world.These rituals convey several cultural purposes like economic and social to the Ibil Ogojapeople. The study concludes that, the rituals linked to burial within the community signify acollective action aimed at returning the deceased to Mother Earth while providing solace tothose who mourn. Consequently, it is recommended that community members capitalise onthe substantial investment opportunities arising from the celebration of the dead, thegovernment should regulate ritual practices among the Ibil people in Ogoja, Cross RiverState especially, elements that intensify financial and social challenges.