| Open Access
Alma Mater – Zeitschrift für interdisziplinäre Kulturforschungen 2026, Bd. 3(2) 238-251
Revisiting Funerary Culture and Obnoxious Widowhood Practices against Nigerian Womenfolk: Advocating for Cultural Reform
S. 238 - 251 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.29329/almamater.2026.1417.16
Veröffentlichungsdatum: September 04, 2026 | Einzeln/Gesamtansichten: 0/0 | Einzeln/Gesamtdownloads: 0/0
Zusammenfassung
There is no gainsaying the fact that many cultures in Africa are imbued with one form of prejudice and violence against women. In recent times, the issue of traditional harmful practices and violence against women/girls has taken the center stage in Nigeria. This has triggered various literary scholars to turn their searchlight on the way forward. The above assertions prompted the researcher to carry out this research work. These traditional harmful practices include female genital mutilation, child marriage, marriage by abduction (force), widowhood practices (rites), denial of access to tertiary education, high bride price, denial of inheritance, child labour and patriarchal dominance – although those varies from culture to culture. However, this study specifically focused on obnoxious widowhood practices (rites) against Nigerian women. Widowhood practices put in a nutshell is the rites performed for a woman after the death of her husband as enshrined in the different cultures of Nigeria are among the prevailing prejudices that have consistently interfered on the dignity and rights of women/girls. The review of related literature indicates that such practices have devastating physical, psychological, economic and intellectual consequences on women. They reinforce the “inferior” status of women in society and continue to violate their rights and this has serious implications on the actualization of gender equality agenda in the society, as well as economic development agenda. The study is aimed at investigating traditional harmful practices against Nigerian widows and implications for overall development of the nation. Additionally, this research looked closely at the extent of damage caused and the way forward. The positive role of education in addressing the problems of traditional harmful practices against Nigerian women and girls were examined. The paper concludes that neglect of women in the name of cultural glorification should be condemned in its totality. And that girl child education is a strategic tool for the actualization of economic development through the instrumentality of trained teachers. The growing reach of the Internet, the rapid spread of mobile information and communications technologies and the wide diffusion of social media can present new opportunities and efforts to address some traditional harmful practices against Nigerian women. At the end of this study, workable recommendations will be made.
Schlüsselwörter: Traditional Harmful Practices, Education, Nigerian Women, Widowhood, National Development
APA 7. Auflage
Okobia, A.O., Egbule, P.O., & Emedem, C.U. (2026). Revisiting Funerary Culture and Obnoxious Widowhood Practices against Nigerian Womenfolk: Advocating for Cultural Reform. Alma Mater – Zeitschrift für interdisziplinäre Kulturforschungen, 3(2), 238-251. https://doi.org/10.29329/almamater.2026.1417.16
Harvard
Okobia, A., Egbule, P. and Emedem, C. (2026). Revisiting Funerary Culture and Obnoxious Widowhood Practices against Nigerian Womenfolk: Advocating for Cultural Reform. Alma Mater – Zeitschrift für interdisziplinäre Kulturforschungen, 3(2), pp. 238-251.
Chicago 16. Auflage
Okobia, Ayodele Onyeatoelu, Philip Onyekachukwu Egbule and Cecilia Ukaemeke Emedem (2026). "Revisiting Funerary Culture and Obnoxious Widowhood Practices against Nigerian Womenfolk: Advocating for Cultural Reform". Alma Mater – Zeitschrift für interdisziplinäre Kulturforschungen 3 (2):238-251. https://doi.org/10.29329/almamater.2026.1417.16
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