Widowhood and its process in contemporary african society: A psycho-social study

Abstract

Widowhood is often covered in myth and its processes left to the governance of whatever social or cultural system a bereaved person finds him/herself in. It is often felt that cultural traditions constitute the best guide to be followed or authority in widowhood. Recent societal experiences on widowhood and adjustment process however, question this position. It is clear that a more critical understanding of the widowhood process within traditional cultural, legal and psychosocial contexts need to emerge. This paper offers an explanation for this by discussing conceptual and operational definition, characteristics, and psycho-social manifestations in widowhood. Case studies are presented to illustrate some of the patterns in widowhood emerging in contemporary African society and the need to react in a more definite manner in order to evolve appropriate socio-legal and therapeutic resources and techniques.