FOOD TABOOS IN TRADITIONAL AFRICAN SOCIETIES- A STUDY OF ONICHA EZINIHITTE MBAISE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF IMO STATE

FOOD TABOOS IN TRADITIONAL AFRICAN SOCIETIES- A STUDY OF ONICHA EZINIHITTE MBAISE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF IMO STATE

ABSTRACT

This research work is a product of the researcher’s desire to explore the various food taboos in traditional African societies with special focus on Onicha Ezinihitte, Mbaise Local Government area of Imo state. The study aims at finding out the food taboos in Onicha Ezinihittee and their essence in the traditional culture. The study also looked at the attitude of the Onicha Ezinihitte towards food taboos and the changes that have taken place over time. The research adopted the qualitative method of data collection and analysis. In order to have a full grasp of the trend of food taboo in Onicha Ezinihitte, the participant observation approach was utilized as the core strategy of the investigation. It was however supplemented with In-depth Interview and Focus Group Discussion. Relevant literatures on food taboos were also reviewed in the study and some explanations have been given as to why food taboos exist in some societies. The analysis shows that food taboos exist as either a religious phenomenon or adaptive response to the material conditions of the society that observes them.