RELIGION AND WIDOWHOOD PRACTICES IN A WORILAND: KEY ISSUES ANDudLESSONS FOR POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS

摘要

This paper examines the role of religion in widowhood practices among the Awori, a Yoruba sub-ethnic group located in Ado-Odo!Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State Southwestern Nigeria. Relying purely on data from primary sources: (Indepth Interview and questionnaire),udthe common religions among the Awori: Islam, Christianity and Traditional religion were examined with a view to ascertain their influence on the widowhood practices observed by widows in the study area. Findings from 942 widows sampled using the purposive samplingudmethod reveals that, religion occupy key roles in widowhood practice. Not only does religion influences the type and duration of widowhood practices, it serves as a coping strategy during the mourning period. It offers support for widows in cash and kind. On the basis of findings inudthe study, this paper recommends that, the posirive strengths of religion in widowhood practices should be harnessed for societal development.