DRW.T.OSEMWEGIE

This research critically evaluates the concept of reincarnation within the Edo worldview, focusing specifically on the Owan people of the southern part of Edo State, Nigeria. Reincarnation is understood as the return of ancestral spirits through new births and plays a central role in Owan cosmology, shaping social identity, moral conduct, and communal continuity. While reincarnation is widely acknowledged in African traditional religions, the Owan perspective remains understudied in Edo’s worldview. The study employs a qualitative methodology that includes oral interviews, participant observation, and archival analysis to explore reincarnation practices such as naming ceremonies, viiidivination, and ritual observances. Findings reveal that reincarnation serves as a moral compass, social institution, and philosophical framework. It fosters respect for elders, strengthens kinship bonds, preserves oral traditions, and reduces the fear of death by presenting it as a transition rather than an end. It also offers a system of cosmic justice, where virtuous lives are rewarded with favorable rebirths, while violations of communal norms may result in difficult or denied reincarnation. This study demonstrates that reincarnation remains a vital element of Owan ontology and a coherent expression of African metaphysics. It functions as both a spiritual and social philosophy, linking the unborn, the living, and the ancestors in a continuous cycle of existence. By affirming identity, morality, and communal belonging, reincarnation remains resilient amidst socioreligious change. The study therefore recommends documentation of oral traditions, integration of indigenous cosmologies into education, interreligious dialogue. This research concludes that reincarnation in Owan thought is not merely speculation about life after death, but a moral and cultural philosophy of life itself. It affirms that existence is cyclical, that human actions reverberate across generations, and that the living remain forever bound to those who came before them. Preserving this belief is therefore not only about safeguarding Owan heritage but also about sustaining a worldview that emphasizes continuity, moral responsibility, and the eternal relevance of African traditional thought.