Widow Cleansing

This topic, "Widow Cleansing", is one that has been discussed a lot in recent years. It involves the rituals that ensure the widow is not haunted by the spirit of her dead husband. In some African cultures it is for the widower as well, but mostly for the widow. I have heard it debated on call in radio and read discussions of it in the news. The government of South Africa has done studies of how to change it.

The reason that it has become a hot topic is that in many cultures the practice is one of the ways AIDS is spread as it involves her having sex, most often with the brother-in-law. I have heard this discussed in Christian Education seminars and some Christians have continued with the parts of it that do not involve sex. But it still focused on the perceived need to be delivered from the spirit of the spouse.

In my research I came across a practice in West Africa that the church initiated to do what I call "redeem" this practice of widow cleansing. The church ritual involves using widow cleansing beliefs to teach a Biblical perspective of death. It doesn't deny the emotional benefit of recognizing grief and family, but brings light to it. I used it in the drama I wrote.

I have it recorded in French for your listening pleasure.