Widowhood rites in Ghana

WIDOWHOOD RITES
Definition

Widowhood rites refer to the rituals and customs that are performed for a woman when her husband dies.

REASONS FOR THE WIDOWHOOD RITES IN GHANA

Defense against ghosts

The widowhood rites are performed with the belief that it would prevent the ghost (spirit) of the dead husband from haunting the living spouse.

Put an official end to the marriage

The rituals are performed in order to end the relationship between the living spouse and the dead spouse. It is believed that the spirits of the dead hung around their surviving spouses refusing to enter the other world. This ritual would, therefore, prevent this from happening.

To strengthen the living spouse

At times like this when the woman is grieving and in great sorrow, the rituals are performed to strengthen the widow so that she can stand firm during the period of sorrow and grief.

Realizing the times ahead

The rituals are also performed to remind the living spouse that there are difficulties ahead. The periods without the companionship she was used to, the fact that she becomes the father and breadwinner of the family because the father who was also the breadwinner is gone.

ALSO READ:
The negative aspects of widowhood rites in Ghana 
The reasons for abolishing widowhood rites in Ghana

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