Inclination to Superstitious Knowledge in Decision Making among the Annangs in Farming Communities of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study analyzed the inclination to superstitious knowledge in decision making among the Annangs in farming communities of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Primary data from 150 randomly selected respondents from Ikot Okoro, Ikot Ubo, Ikot Ekang and Ikot Okubara villages of Abak and Oruk Anam Local Government Areas were collected using questionnaires and key informant interview guide. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression. The study revealed that 94% of the respondents were aged between 21-60 years, 94% had acquired some formal education, all respondents were Christians, 61.3% of the respondents were married, 92% earned at least NGN 50, 000 monthly (about $250) and about 52% of the respondents have farming as their primary occupation. Three indexes of luck, malevolence/benevolence, and omens/soothsaying were used to measure the belief in superstition. The study revealed that respondents believed less in luck (with a mean score of 22.9533) than they did in malevolence/benevolence (24.9332) and omens/soothsaying (27.3066). The study recommends that education with a focus on the enlightenment, re-orientation, and counseling of individuals on the subject matter be initiated effectively by agents of social change to reduce the levels of inclination to superstition in decision making among respondents. This will support the adoption of innovations to bring about increased agricultural productivity, rural development and a smooth rural transition.