Critical apprasial of reasons for traditional embalming among igbos in the southeast nigeria

Traditional embalming or preservation of the dead is always for a reason or reasons. In some cultures these reasons were documented, while in others as in Nigeria there had been no documentation. The objective is to find and document the reasons for traditional embalming amongst Igbos of southeast Nigeria. A descriptive survey was carried out among five thousand two hundred and fifty Igbo elders from five hundred and twenty five communities randomly chosen from five Igbo speaking states of southeast, Nigeria using a checklist form – a descriptive assessment form scale for the oral interviewer.The main reason for Igbo traditional embalming was timing of burial found in one hundred and ninety four (371) communities. In one hundred ten (21%) communities, befitting burial rite was a reason settlement of affairs of the dead featured as a reason in 102 communities (19.5%); while desire to keeping in touch with the dead, in fifty three (10%) communities. In eighteen (3.5%) communities investigation of cause of death was a reason. Cheapness of the traditional method and unavailability of modern embalming method, each was found as a reason in thirteen (2.5%) communities. In eleven (2%) communities, religion was a reason, while in five (1%) communities, sanitation and transportation were reasons for the traditional embalming. Reasons for Igbo traditional embalming are, to a large extent, same with other ancient cultures. The study also found that Igbo’s still practice traditional embalming for its cheapness and availability of modern embalming methods.