Among the Yoruba, the
ritual rites for the widow is called “ile Opo” and among the Igbos, this is
called “Igbo Nkpe”. A study carried out
shows that among the Igbo, although there are differences in details and
materials involved, the rituals for widowhood follow a fairly common way when a
“common man” dies but clearly different for “Ozo” title holders. It is
practically impossible to give details of the practices in each community here as
narrated by the respondents.
ritual rites for the widow is called “ile Opo” and among the Igbos, this is
called “Igbo Nkpe”. A study carried out
shows that among the Igbo, although there are differences in details and
materials involved, the rituals for widowhood follow a fairly common way when a
“common man” dies but clearly different for “Ozo” title holders. It is
practically impossible to give details of the practices in each community here as
narrated by the respondents.
Among the Igbo, at the
death of a woman’s husband, the mourning period takes between one week and one
year with specific activities recommended for the periods. Most Igbo
communities recommend that a widow at announcement of her husband’s demise,
would wear the “mud cloth” (“ogodo upa”). The time of wearing this varies from
seven days to one year depending on community’s emphasis.
death of a woman’s husband, the mourning period takes between one week and one
year with specific activities recommended for the periods. Most Igbo
communities recommend that a widow at announcement of her husband’s demise,
would wear the “mud cloth” (“ogodo upa”). The time of wearing this varies from
seven days to one year depending on community’s emphasis.
The respondents interviewed
revealed that a woman is mandatory expected to wail at the death of her husband
either three times a day or once in a day for three or seven days. During the
mourning days, the woman’s hair among the Igbo is scraped and she is expected
to sit on the mat surrounded by sympathizers or to sit by the corpse of the
deceased husband, warding off flies from it. The respondents from Ogburuka
revealed that “the widow is put in a cage where she could sit and sleep on a
mat or mattress”. She is expected to be clad in black attire for seven months
and any other cloth for the remaining five months of her one year of mourning.
revealed that a woman is mandatory expected to wail at the death of her husband
either three times a day or once in a day for three or seven days. During the
mourning days, the woman’s hair among the Igbo is scraped and she is expected
to sit on the mat surrounded by sympathizers or to sit by the corpse of the
deceased husband, warding off flies from it. The respondents from Ogburuka
revealed that “the widow is put in a cage where she could sit and sleep on a
mat or mattress”. She is expected to be clad in black attire for seven months
and any other cloth for the remaining five months of her one year of mourning.
The respondents from Akili-Ogidi
revealed that the widow is expected to do “evening wailing through “onu ntapa”.
A chink in the wall, facing the west of the first 28 days after the burial of
her husband”.
revealed that the widow is expected to do “evening wailing through “onu ntapa”.
A chink in the wall, facing the west of the first 28 days after the burial of
her husband”.
The rites are different in
Yorubaland. According to the respondents, when a man dies, his wife or wives
are expected to express the sorrow through crying and often falling into the
ready hands of others surrounding her who would prevent her from injuring
herself. She is thereafter expected to go into confinement for seven days
during which she is not expected to wash herself or change her clothes. Among
the Akure people, the woman would be expected to unweave her hair and have a
low-cut while in Otan, the woman would be expected to shorn or scrape her hair
as a sign of severing bond between her and her death husband.
Yorubaland. According to the respondents, when a man dies, his wife or wives
are expected to express the sorrow through crying and often falling into the
ready hands of others surrounding her who would prevent her from injuring
herself. She is thereafter expected to go into confinement for seven days
during which she is not expected to wash herself or change her clothes. Among
the Akure people, the woman would be expected to unweave her hair and have a
low-cut while in Otan, the woman would be expected to shorn or scrape her hair
as a sign of severing bond between her and her death husband.
During the mourning period
which sometimes lasts forty days or four months (120 days) the widow is
expected to wear a pensive look and be clad in black attire to all public
places. During the initial seven days of mourning, the widow is expected to sit
on bare floor or a mat at best but definitely not a stool or a bed. In some
Yoruba communities, she is expected to eat from broken plates and cook with
broken pots.
which sometimes lasts forty days or four months (120 days) the widow is
expected to wear a pensive look and be clad in black attire to all public
places. During the initial seven days of mourning, the widow is expected to sit
on bare floor or a mat at best but definitely not a stool or a bed. In some
Yoruba communities, she is expected to eat from broken plates and cook with
broken pots.
At this period, it will be
ascertained whether or not the widow is pregnant etc. At the end of forty days,
three months or four months as the case may be, the final rites include being
washed in the night after having the final wailing, making some rituals which
are expected to finally put the spirit of the departed to final rest and the
“outing”, which involves change of dress and being led to the market.
ascertained whether or not the widow is pregnant etc. At the end of forty days,
three months or four months as the case may be, the final rites include being
washed in the night after having the final wailing, making some rituals which
are expected to finally put the spirit of the departed to final rest and the
“outing”, which involves change of dress and being led to the market.
A woman may refuse to be
“inherited” even if the family of her late husband wants it so. A relation may
also refuse to marry a dead relation’s widow
even if the family wishes it so.
“inherited” even if the family of her late husband wants it so. A relation may
also refuse to marry a dead relation’s widow
even if the family wishes it so.
