ANTHROPOLOGICAL INQUIRY OF ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF BURIAL PRACTICES AMONG IBIL PEOPLE IN OGOJA, CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA

Anthropology is the holistic study of humans and their cultures within their societies. Thecelebration of those who have passed away is a deeply rooted cultural practice within the IbilOgoja Community in Cross River State. The deceased are honoured with great reverence, asthey are believed to maintain a special bond with the living. This research explored theeconomic benefits of the burial practices in the Ibil Ogoja community. The study was basedon Structural Functionalism Theory. An ethnographic research design was utilised,incorporating in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and observational methods fordata collection. Participants were chosen through purposive sampling for the research. Aninterview guide served as the tool for data collection. Thematic analysis was performed tointerpret the narratives shared by the participants, to address the research questions. Theresults revealed that the burial celebrations among the Ibil Ogoja people have led to thethriving of several craft and profession and the opportunities for meaningful economicengagements in the area, and the social environment that characterize burial event provideconducive atmosphere for generating revenue among the Ibil Ogoja people of Cross RiverState. The study concludes that celebrations of the dead through burial ceremonycontributes to the prosperous nature of many businesses and arts with the opportunities formeaningful economic engagements in the area. Therefore, it is recommended the eldersshould harmonise the burial rituals for economic benefits of the people and community in thecelebration of the dead among the Ibil people in Ogoja, Cross River State.