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Posted by Chester Morton / Sunday 14 August 2016 / No comments
Widowhood rites in Ghana
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
ALSO READ:
The negative aspects of widowhood rites in Ghana
The reasons for abolishing widowhood rites in Ghana
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SOCIAL STUDIES
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