Nigeria: The existence of widower rituals, the purpose of which is to prove the innocence of a husband in his spouse's death

Specific information on the existence of widower rituals that a man must observe in order to prove his innocence in the death of his spouse could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. However, the following information may be of interest:

In her article, "Post-Colonialism, Gender, Customary Injustice: Widows in African Societies," Uche Ewelukwa notes that

Perhaps the greatest objection to the treatment of widows lies in the different, almost special, treatment accorded men who lose their wives. While widowers may be expected to shave their hair, abstrain from public and social functions, and avoid sexual relations during the mourning period, no real sanction is imposed on the defaulting widowers. At most, a man may suffer from social scorn and loss of public opinion (Human Rigths Quarterly May 2002, 439).

A traditional ruler that the author interviewed in July 1994 in a town in Eastern Nigeria stated that

if a wife dies, the man is confined in the house for a month but the men break the rules. It cannot be an abomination if he breaks the rule but people can talk. There are no sanctions. Maybe sanction by shunning. It becomes an abomination if he impregnates another woman during that mourning period (ibid.).

In another article entitled "Enculturation and Inculturation: The Gospel of Liberation and the Culture of African Womanhood," U.E.Umorem states that "while a widow is subjected to these indignities [degrading rituals] a widower is not. He remarries, if he so wishes, at will" (Sept. 1995).

For information on the widowhood rituals to which women in Nigeria are subjected, please consult NGA37500.E of 10 July 2001 and NGA34292.E of May 2002.

The following information may also be of interest. According to the President of Widows in Development, a non-governmental organization (NGO) in Nigeria, a Bill on Widows Rights was passed on 8 March 2001, and was adopted by Cross Rivers and Edo States (18 July 2003). The President of Widows in Development noted however, that although the Bill was signed into law on 26 June 2001, there are "problems enforcing" it (ibid.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Human Rights Quarterly [Baltimore]. May 2002.Uche, U. Ewelukwa, Uche, U. May 2002. "Post-Colonialism, Gender, Customary Injustice: Widows in African Societies," Vol. 24.

Umorem, U.E. September 1995. "Enculturation and Inculturation: The Gospel of Liberation and the Culture of African Womanhood." [Accessed 18 July 2003]

Widows in Development, Lagos. 18 July 2003. Correspondence from the President.

Additional Sources Counsulted

Africa Confidential

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series

Amnesty International

Country Reports

United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM)

U.S. Department of State

Women's Human Rights Net

Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF)

Women's International Network News (WIN)

World News.com

World News Connection (WNC)

Internet sources, including:

Africa Online

AllAfrica.com

BBC Africa

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