Widows

I chose this drama, "Widows", next because it discusses aspects of traditional African beliefs about death. Death is not ever considered natural. It is always “caused” by forces that someone or something is using to kill another person. So when a person dies there is always suspicion. Sometimes there are accusations and punishment of the persons assumed guilty of “causing” the death.

Just like in our murder mysteries, the spouse is the first suspect. They either “caused” the death or did not do the right rituals to prevent the death. They are assumed to be guilty, the amount of guilt can vary. And others can be considered guilty.

A widow is particularly vulnerable. Feedback from Ivory Coast:

“Our female program producer listened to the program together with a women’s listener’s group in Abidjan. The program was about the widow, and how the Bible underlines how to take care of the widows. One of the women was really touched by what she heard and said: “The Bible really considers the women.”

I have discussed this topic with various church groups. One time I asked them if they themselves or someone they knew had broken with the practice of taking advantage of a widow. One pastor shared the story of a woman who was newly widowed in his church. He and some other church members were with her when some members of the husband’s family came to the house to take what she had. He and the other church members blocked the door and did not allow them to disturb her. He told them, “We are Christian. We don’t behave like this!”

There are several more dramas on death and widows. I will not post all of them in a row. I don’t want to get depressed. But I will follow up with the drama on "Widow Cleansing" next week. I don’t have audio in either English or French of this one, but I do have a French recording of Widow Cleansing. You will have to wait for next week.