Cultural Reponses to Poverty among the People of Nekede in Owerri West LGA of Imo State

Abstract

Cultural response to poverty is an attempt to find out systematic and appropriate ways to culturally
tackle the problem of poverty in our society. The study adopted a cross sectional research survey method using structured questionnaire and In-depth Interview (IDI) as instrument of data collection. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data using simple percentages and frequency distribution and the chi-square was used to test the hypotheses. Findings showed that poverty is a manifestation of low education of children, families and communities which made people remain within the circle of poverty. It was recommended from the study that cultural response structures such as diversification of occupations, expanding farm holdings, diversifying crop types, thrift contributions, revolving loan scheme and relying on economic trees. The adoption of family planning practices, Government support to the unemployed, abolition of cultural practices that hinders development, women and youth empowerment, free education for children among others were also recommended.