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Cameroon The widows who suffer |
SOCIAL CONDITIONS
In many regions, the traditional rituals involved in becoming a widow
have
nothing in common
with modern-day life.
The State, NGOs and others, object
to what happens during these practices.
But defenders of this tradition
won’t budge
«I’m still suffering from what I went through during the rites of widowhood», says Mrs Abega who has obviously suffered a lot.
What happened? Mrs Abega lost her husband in June 1999, the victim of a traffic accident. According to local tradition, she had to undergo the rite of widowhood. During her husband’s funeral celebrations (which lasted three days), she had to remain lying flat on the ground, with no shoes and without attempting to get up. She wasn’t allowed to shake anyone’s hand, and all this lasted until her husband was buried.
Three days later, Mrs Abega had to go through what’s called the «ceremony of the “arkus”». (This is the rite of widowhood as practised in Cameroon’s Central Province among the Beti ethnic group). First of all, she was rolled in the mud. Then, laden with the trunk of a banana tree, she had to run and throw it onto the road, being careful not to trip over or to drop her burden. She then had to sit with clenched fists. The next ritual took the form of a purification ceremony in the river where she had to assume a crouched position. Then Mrs Abega was anointed with palm oil and had to swallow a mixture of various herbs gathered in the forest. She was then allowed to return home but only after receiving a number of blows administered by former widows. Finally, Mrs Abega had to spend the night in intimacy with one of the uncles of her late husband.
Practices vary according to where you live
Like Mrs Abega, many widows have a bad memory of the rite of widowhood. But the practices vary according to local culture and where you live. In the west, a widow must shave her head and wear black or white clothing during the period of ritual widowhood which can last anything from three months to five years. She’s not allowed to attend to her personal hygiene needs; she’s got to sit on the ground for nine days. There’s almost the same ritual for widows living in the coastal region.
On the other hand, things are much better for a widow who lives in in the north. During her husband’s funeral, the widow is looked after by other widows who give her moral support. She’ll only use new clothing and utensils — a «sign» of a new life. She’s excused all domestic tasks. The only obligation being not to raise her voice.
The woman is not alone in having to endure these practices. But for a widower, the ritual is different. In the east, for example, the man is obliged to lie on the ground on his stomach, next to his wife’s body, without changing position. The ordeal lasts one day. He spends the night following his wife’s burial, with another woman and then he leaves her his clothing. Why? Because as a sign of his new status, he’ll now wear new clothes. Then he’ll be able to re-marry.
A crusade against the rite of widowhood
Mr Atangana is the traditional chief in the village of Elig Mfomo, in the centre of Cameroon. He explains that the rite of widowhood follows the traditions in Bantu society. It’s all a matter of the widower or the widow, honouring the departed. Father Prosper Abega (Archdiocese of Yaounde) says all these rites seem to be directed towards helping the widow (widower) come to terms with his/her sorrow. «A kind of moral and physical readjustment. The rites must continue, but they should be adapted to present-day situations.» Unfortunately, many people have testified that these practices are often the occasion of much abuse. «Sisters and brothers-in-law take advantage of these customs to settle a few scores with the widow or the widower, whom they feel resentful towards».
Widows are determined to do away with what amounts to inhuman practices, at least as they exist in their present form. During a meeting of the Association of the Widows of Cameroon, they made clear what their aim is — to work for the prohibition of the rites of widowhood. They’re helped by the Cameroonian Association to Combat Violence Against Women (ALVF ). The members of this NGO listen to, support, and comfort the victims of this tradition. The National Human Rights Committee of Cameroon (CNDL) is also closely involved in this crusade, doing everything possible to end these practices which are clearly opposed to an individual’s fundamental freedoms.
For the moment, Cameroon’s Penal Code hasn’t any specific Article condemning the physical violence which takes place during the rites of widowhood. However, the Ministry for Women’s Affairs is giving careful consideration so as to work out appropriate legislation, aimed at ensuring the complete protection of women in Cameroonian society. A Bill covering this issue is still awaited in Parliament.
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