Widowhood practices in West Africa: the silent victims

Abstract

This article discusses the plight and suffering of widows in terms of their social, economic, psychological and human rights violations in three West African societies. The article describes the situation of the widows as silent victims who suffer cruel and dehumanising cultural and ritual practices as a mourning process for their dead spouses. The article also examines the gender inequalities suffered by the widows and makes some recommendations as to how these practices could be minimised or eliminated from those societies.

The politics of Widowhood and Re-Marriage among the Luo of Kenya

“…hardly seen as fully natural, and just as in West Africa, when the death is of a young person, 'all restraints are thrown overboard and explanation sought in witchcraft, juju or bad medicine' (Sossou 2002). Widowhood as a bereavement is a natural occurrence associated with grief.…”

“…The satisfactory completion of these ceremonies, rituals and practices is therefore believed to help restore the balance and security, which the death had sought to overthrow. The people, due to superstitious beliefs, rationalise these practices with the argument that they perform important functions, such as giving the widows protection from their powerful deceased husbands (Sossou 2002). In various cultures throughout the world, and in particular in sub Saharan Africa, women are forced to undergo various rituals after the death of their spouses (COHRE & WHRP 2008). Luo widows are not permitted to formally remarry or take other sexual partners in addition to the surrogate husband (Potash 1986a(Potash , 1986b ;Kirwen 1979).…”

“…They have been psyched into believing that the rituals are for the widows' benefit and those of their children. With fellow women in charge of the situation, young widows are silenced into submission (Sossou 2002), as they are taken through the observation of the rites as "willing" participants.…”

“…It is personal and collective empowerment and transformative approaches that can help widows to take control of their own lives and destinies (Sossou 2002). Transformative approaches involving men of influence who understand the situation, village elders, individual women and women groups are necessary in the struggle for the eradication of negative widowhood practices in the Luo cultural system.…”

'Woman, But Not Human': Widowhood Practices and Human Rights Violations in Nigeria

“…Whatever form they may take widowhood practices tend to include various forms of inhuman, demeaning, and barbaric acts that may endanger the life of a woman. Some commentators https://repository.uwc.ac.za/xmlui/ have argued that widowhood practices are not only tools to perpetuate gender inequality but are also barbaric, atrocious, commoditisation, unethical, and a gross violation of women's fundamental rights and freedom (Sossou, 2002;Nyanzi et al, 2009: 13).…”