African Widowhood Rites: A Bane or Boom for the African Woman
George, I. K. Tasie

Abstract
Studies on widowhood rites in Africa generally bemoan what scholars consider as unpleasant treatment of widows, ranging from denial of basic hygiene, outlandish costumes and dress code, to intense public display of grief. Consequently, the studies tend to urge widows to reject such negative and harmful practices and assert their rights and womanhood. This study, on the contrary, argues that widowhood rites in Africa were not primarily designed to de-womanize African womanhood, or impoverish and oppress women; or are they part of the so-called male chauvinism. Rather, the rites are generally intended for the overall good of the widow.

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