Dreams as indigenous library of knowledge among ethnic groups in the south-south zone of Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated dreams as indigenous library of knowledge among some South-South tribes in Nigeria: Urhobo, Ika, Edo-Benin, Igbo, Ukwuani, Itsekiri and Ijaw. The aim of the research was to explore if dreams have meanings attached to them by ethnic nationalities which in turn has become a library of indigenous knowledge. To this, several of the respondents amongst all tribal nationalities do agree that dreams have particularly meanings attached to them by their people based on their culture. This in turn has influenced their personal dream beliefs and interpretations. This research is a descriptive survey. The population of this study consisted of between ages 12 and 60, spread across marital status of: Married; separated, widow, widower and singles with primary, secondary and tertiary levels of educational background. The sample population was 600 persons. The research findings showed that all ethnic groups investigated attach certain meanings to their dreams which form the basis for interpreting the symbols found in their dreams and that dreams convey both spiritual and physical information. Key words: Dream, indigenous, library, knowledge, ethnic groups, Nigeria.