BURIAL CEREMONIES AS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES: A STUDY OF YOUTH EXPLOITATION IN EBONYI STATE

BURIAL CEREMONIES AS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES: A STUDY OF YOUTH EXPLOITATION IN EBONYI STATE

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

In Ebonyi State, traditional burial ceremonies have evolved beyond purely cultural rites into significant economic events. Families often hire young people to perform tasks ranging from catering and ushering to mourning wails and masquerade dancing—services for which youths demand payment or gifts (Walker-Descartes et al., 2021). These emerging “funeral economies” can provide much-needed income in a region marked by youth unemployment. However, questions arise as to whether such practices empower young people or exploit their labor and emotional labor during periods of intense communal mourning (Mshweshwe, 2020).

Anthropological accounts indicate that ritual performances have long offered apprenticeship pathways for youth to learn cultural lore and gain social capital (Galderisi et al., 2015). Yet the commercialization of grief raises ethical concerns: young mourners may feel pressure to display genuine sorrow or participate in potentially perilous masquerade performances purely for compensation, blurring lines between voluntary cultural engagement and economic coercion (Myhill, 2017; Truman & Morgan, 2015).

Psychological perspectives suggest that when youths perform in funerals under economic duress, they may experience emotional dissonance—having to evoke deep grief on cue—leading to increased stress and potential burnout (Arango et al., 2018). Moreover, the promise of financial reward can incentivize over-commitment, with young people taking on multiple ceremonies in quick succession, risking physical exhaustion and social isolation. Despite these concerns, no empirical research has yet documented the nature and extent of youth exploitation in Ebonyi State’s burial economy. This study therefore examines how funeral-related income opportunities affect young participants’ economic well-being, psychosocial health, and cultural engagement.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

While burial ceremonies in Ebonyi State present income-generating prospects for unemployed youth, there is scant evidence on whether these opportunities constitute fair economic empowerment or exploitative labor. Young people report both financial gains and emotional strain, but systematic data on hours worked, remuneration practices, and psychological impact are lacking. Without such insights, policymakers and community leaders cannot ensure that funeral economies protect youth rights and well-being.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

To map the range of services youth provide in Ebonyi burial ceremonies and corresponding remuneration patterns.

To assess the economic benefits and psychosocial costs experienced by young participants.

To recommend guidelines and safeguards that optimize youth empowerment while preventing exploitation.

1.4 Research Questions

What roles do young people typically perform in traditional burials in Ebonyi State, and how are these roles compensated?

How do burial-related income activities affect youths’ financial stability and mental-health outcomes?

What measures can community stakeholders implement to ensure fair labor practices and emotional support for youth involved?

 

1.5 Significance of the Study

Youth & Families: Findings will help young people negotiate equitable compensation and understand potential emotional risks.

Community Leaders & Cultural Custodians: Insights will guide the development of fair engagement protocols that preserve ritual integrity while safeguarding youth.

Policy Makers & NGOs: Evidence-based recommendations can inform labor regulations and psychosocial support programs targeting young funeral workers.

 

1.6 Scope and Limitation of the Study

Scope: Focuses on youths aged 18–30 in urban and rural Ebonyi communities who have provided paid services in at least two burial ceremonies over the past 18 months.

Limitations:

Self-Selection Bias: Participants who agree to discuss their experiences may differ systematically from those who decline.

Regional Specificity: Results may not generalize to other states where burial economies differ in scale or structure.

 

1.7 Definition of Terms

Funeral Economy: The network of paid services and transactions surrounding burial ceremonies.

Emotional Labor: The process of managing and displaying emotions as part of one’s work role.

Exploitation: Unfair treatment of workers, characterized by inadequate compensation or unsafe conditions.

Cultural Engagement: Active participation in community rituals that transmit heritage and social norms.

Psychosocial Health: An individual’s mental and social well-being, encompassing stress, anxiety, and social relationships.

 

List of References

Arango, C., Díaz-Caneja, C. M., McGorry, P. D., Rapoport, J., Sommer, I. E., Vorstman, J. A., … Carpenter, W. (2018). Preventive strategies for mental health. The Lancet Psychiatry, 5(7), 591–604.

Galderisi, S., Heinz, A., Kastrup, M., Beezhold, J., & Sartorius, N. (2015). Toward a new definition of mental health. World Psychiatry, 14(2), 231–233.

Mshweshwe, L. (2020). Understanding domestic violence: masculinity, culture, traditions. Heliyon, 6(10).

Myhill, A. (2017). Measuring domestic violence: Context is everything. Journal of Gender-Based Violence, 1(1), 33–47.

Truman, J. L., & Morgan, R. E. (2015). NONFATAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, 2003-2012. Journal of Current Issues in Crime, Law & Law Enforcement, 8(4).