Rites of passage and sustainable development in traditional Africa: reflections for contemporary society

Abstract

The issue of rites of passage inAfrican ontological scene has been widely discussed due to its glaring place in sustaining all-round development. Yet, its practice in the contemporary Igbo land in particular and Africa in general continues to dwindle which is attributed to the consequences of globalization despite the fact that its potency for development and sustainability have been greatly appreciated. This has hitherto, contributes in shaking the very foundation ofAfricanmoral stool.Yet, there seems to be insufficient documented study on the challenges of the diminishing application of rites of passage in many part of Igbo land and its devastating effects on the moral foundation of many African states in general and Igbo land in particular. This study attempts to exhume the instrumentality of rites of passage with particular attention to puberty andmarriage rites in fostering and sustaining development. The study further proffers strategic choices for the retrieval of this integral part of African life for the moral development of the averageNigerian youth. The present study is a qualitative one using mainly documented sources, observation and unstuctured interview and the purposive sampling techniquewas used