I attempt to answer the following questions: To what extent do the Ashantis who have migrated to Canada still hold on to indigenous concepts and funeral practices? This was a practice done in accordance with the belief that slaves would follow th… In the olden days members of the family would also have shave their heads, not wear shoes or cook in their houses (usually where the dead person lived) for a period of time. Among them are birth rites, puberty rites, marriage rites, death and funeral rites. Widowhood rites in Ghana Older women members of extended families or communities have been known to be savegely brutalised and murdered, often on the basis of accusations of witchcraft (Ampofo, 1993) (Baden et al. Widowhood rite is a custom that is performed on a woman upon the death of her husband. Such preparations normally take the form of an expensive coffin, … This reaction is often the result of the widow refusing the levirate or remarriage with one of the husband's male relatives. They might say, as they did to one informant " You have killed your husband. Puberty Rites; Shai Initiates/Krobo Initiates . Funeral rites among Ashanti immigrants in Toronto: A case study (Ontario) By Paul Adjin-Tettey. He said that other Christian widows who refuse to follow harmful and degrading mourning rites or take another man from the male relatives are accused of pride and labelled as witches. Prostitution is often the only means of survival, but these widows often die early from HIV/AIDS and the opportunistic illnesses associated with this infection. — New York Times, "‘The Other Half of My Soul’: Widows of Covid-19 Bond Over Sudden Loss," 31 Dec. 2020 Honorifics should be used on envelopes, and widowhood does not change the lady’s form of address. ETD Among the Ewes, when a man “spots” a lady he likes and wants to share his life with, he first informs the parent(in this day and time, people have the view that a man needs to take decisions on his own) about his intention. In Akan culture the different types of rites are: birth, puberty, marriage, childbirth, and death. They are frequently accused of having used witchcraft to kill their husbands. But these rites expose the widow to psycho-emotional and physical indignity, which constitute major factors that influence the level of happiness or unhappiness experienced in most marriages or homes. The word Akyum is used to describe a group of three states: Akyem Abuakwa, Akyem Kotoku, and Akyem Bosome. Table of contents Map of 'Ashanti' viii 2002], Empowering Widows in Development. Widowhood practices are observed by almost all the ethnic groups in Nigeria, particularly among the Yoruba, Igbo and Hausas. By virtue of their being in two worlds what difficulties come their way if they try to follow indigenous practice to its letter? Some widowhood rites infringe on the fundamental human rights of women and impact negatively on the lives of women who go through them. They have to wash in a designated place, usually a little used area where rubbish is thrown. 117. TB is a big problem. When a spouse dies, although the marriage has ended in the physical realm, it has not ended in the spiritual. They speak a Twi language of the Kwa branch of the Niger-Congo language family and The MOW reports that quite destitute widows find themselves searching for husbands for their young girls so as to acquire bridewealth of cattle. Hence the death of a male spouse heralds varying archaic, anachronistic and obnoxious practices in the name of culture. My Account | Copyright notice: This document is published with the permission of the copyright holder and producer Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB). Older women members of extended families or communities have been known to be savegely brutalised and murdered, often on the basis of accusations of witchcraft (Ampofo, 1993) (Baden et al. The Widows' Ministry (MOW), a Christian welfare organisation in Bolga reports that so many widows are left caring for children conceived in this way that they are unable to adequately care and feed them all. Bortei-Dorku (1990) reports that (as of 1990) the Law Reform Commission was considering legislation to abolish or restrict widowhood rites. It is noteworthy that Ghana is the only country in the world that has attempted to eliminate degrading and harmful widows' mourning rites by legislation. The following information on widowhood rites in general may be of interest. Among the Krobo people, this rite is known as “yayi fimi”. ... Widowhood itself makes daughters vulnerable to very early marriage. However, the existence of the law provides leverage for action and possibilities in the future for some collective action. https://scholars.wlu.ca/etd/117, African Languages and Societies Commons, MATCH International. Background Paper on Gender Issues in Ghana: Report Prepared for the West and North Africa Department, Department of Overseas Development (DFID), Brighton, UK. exchanges among the various people, with groups adopting practices of others with whom they lived in close proximity. The method for this study combines library research with participation in, and observation of, Ashanti funeral rites in Toronto. Widowhood is a very common experience in the United States today, as it is and has been in other times and places. A Christian Minister reported that one young widow, unable to bear the jibes and accusations locked herself in a room with her baby. Relgion + Rites of Passage This is an Akyum, The Akyum are the Akan people. This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. One must however be quick to state that aspects of these rites considered to be idol worship by foreign religions are left out. Widowhood Rites The Ga believe that in everything there is a Spiritual and a Physical element. Ottawa. According to a report published by Empowering Widows in Development (EWD) on the situation of widows in Ghana. Jan. 1994). There may be restrictions on their movements, the imposition of food taboos and subjection to various forms of humiliation and abuse. In practice she may have no real choice; if a man succeeds in sleeping with the widow he will tell a close relative and the man then takes the widow as his wife. The pleasure of the reunion of family and friends eclipses the grief that is felt. What innovations have been introduced into their funeral rites? After the funeral ceremony the widow is expected to choose which man will marry her. Physical and mental violence, including sexual violence and rape, is a common accompaniment to the onset of widowhood. The future for a very young widow is very bleak. Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. (Cambridge African Monographs) I. It is essentially an ethnographic description of the funeral rites of Toronto Ashantis set in the context of comparative data from traditional and contemporary Ghana, as well as contemporary, non-Ashanti, Canadian funeral practices. of widowhood rites will assist to shed more light on whether the younger widows conform or observe stipulated widowhood rites more than the older widows or vice-versa. She also stated that widows are usually harassed by their husbands' relatives, who may disinherit the them and their children (ibid.). n.d. January 1994. The acts of circumcision of male children, pouring of libation learnt via the worship of the SUN-GOD, out-dooring of new born babies, widowhood rites, kingship and "Ghana.". 23 April 2002. After the burial, and once the cause of death has been established by a soothsayer, the widows are led out naked and made to drink a special brew. Recent Examples on the Web But the isolation of widowhood is raw and unending. In most indeigenous societies rites of passage is an essential part to mark and celebrate various stages of life. Marriage and Divorce among the Asante: Study Undertaken in the Course of the Ashanti Social Survey (1945). It is essentially widow rape. The baby was still alive, and was trying to suck from the dead mother's breast, she having fallen from the hook where she had tied her dress. The ashanti chiefs attending the funeral in the shade of large red … Ayiagu – widowhood rite that marks the end of mourning period (Ga) Ayilɔ – spiced white clay used for embalming the corpse (Ga) Azizanya – arrival place for the dead souls (geographically the mouth of river Volta) (Ga) Bragoro – menstrual ceremony (puberty rites for girls among the Akan) Caboceer – African middleman (Portuguese) No research has been done to get an idea of numbers. Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive). A suicide of a widow is usually made to look like an accident. Adjin-Tettey, Paul, "Funeral rites among Ashanti immigrants in Toronto: A case study (Ontario)" (1991). Abstract. Ashanti emerged as the dominant power in 1670. > Many widows are also forced to marry into their late husband's family (CBC 7 July 2004). These coercive acts and others such as scarification (scarring) with unclean instruments are life-threatening as well as degrading in the context of HIV/AIDS infection. She must be avoided at all costs. This is not a UNHCR publication. Some of the mourning rites may include "ritual cleansing" through sex with designated individuals. In a telephone interview with the Research Directorate, the executive director of MATCH International, a non-governmental organization that works with women in developing countries in Africa and Latin and Central America, based in Ottawa, stated that among the Ashanti, as in other ethnic groups in Ghana, women are expected to observe rituals such as being secluded in the dark during the period of mourning, bathing in cold water, and abstaining from eating certain foods … Widowhood rites are still observed today in Asante. By virtue of their being in two worlds what difficulties come their way if they try to follow indigenous practice to its letter? Widows are generally regarded as bringing bad luck. Among Akans it is a norm for dead bodies to be kept in the mortuary for weeks or months until relatives are adequately organized to give a fitting burial ceremony to the departed soul. The widow contributes to the adesiediε (funeral goods) that are used to wash and prepare the corpse. Can a symbol or procedure be radically altered and yet perceived as the same? The corpse of the dead man is put in another part of the hut and the widow can only visit it in the company of an old lady. Friends shun her because she poses a threat: she could cast an evil spell on them, destroy their children or cattle. Ethnic Ga family names (surnames) such as Tagoe, Dodoo, Lartey, Brown, Nortey, Nai, Aryee, Poku, … These are nations located in the eastern region of modern day Ghana. Starting from Portuguese, slowly British, French, Dutch and other Europeans built … Then their heads are shaved. Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, UK. The Ga-Dangbe, Gã-Daŋbɛ, Ga-Dangme, or GaDangme are an ethnic group in Ghana and Togo.The Ga and Dangbe people are grouped respectively as part of the Ga–Dangme ethnolinguistic group. Among the Ashantis of Ghana, widowhood rites are strictly observed and wife inheritance is considered the appropriate thing for a heir to do when the father dies leaving a wife and children (Rattray, 1956), if these rites are not carried out it means that the man has not been given a befitting burial. WIDOWHOOD. The Ashantis are well known for their strict observance and co-operation during funeral rites. The Ashanti fertility doll or "Akua ba" doll is commonly found in the homes of the Ashanti and given to the females in the village to bring them closer to the spirit of Fertility Gods. It conquered the left, right and central tribes declaring a monopoly on the routes to the coasts. The widowhood effect is the increase in the probability of a person dying a relatively short time after their long-time spouse has died. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. To the late Professor Meyer Fortes V . About | 117, Funeral rites among Ashanti immigrants in Toronto: A case study (Ontario), Paul Adjin-Tettey, Wilfrid Laurier University. The 1989 amendment to the Penal Code criminalises the acts of any person who compels a widow to undergo any custom or practice that is cruel, immoral, or grossly indecent. Marriages are known to be a blessing from God. In the Bolga district (where much of our information comes from) widows of fertile age who are forced to continue to produce children in the name of the dead husband for the "levir" often find themselves abandoned once they have given birth. Home » News » Traditional widowhood rites: Pros and cons Traditional widowhood rites: Pros and cons On June 30, 2016 12:30 am In News , Woman's Own by vanguard Sometimes as part of the mourning rite, or associated with some of the ceremonies (for example, having to sit naked, having to take off all clothing by the river, being left alone and destitute), widows are frequently vulnerable to extreme sexual abuse. They may also prevent women from engaging in normal economic activities and thus may cause considerable hardship. They must hold a calabash (symbol of a dead husband) any time that they leave the hut. The widows are stripped naked, with only leaves on their private parts, and must sit on a reed mat, for days or even weeks. The funeral ceremonies can be over in three days but many last weeks, months or even years depending on the wealth of the relatives and how much money there is to be spent on rites. I attempt to answer the following questions: To what extent do the Ashantis who have migrated to Canada still hold on to indigenous concepts and funeral practices? But according to EWD's partner groups, no one has ever been arrested and brought to court under this law; it is difficult to see how an illiterate and marginalised rural widow could realistically use this amendment even if she was aware of it. The area of Ashanti is 9400square miles (approximately one fifth that of England) with a populationof about one million at the period independence, to which the ballads refer. Asante , people of south-central Ghana and adjacent areas of Togo and Côte d’Ivoire. what determines the widow's future is how tradition is interpreted at the local level. The practices of communities which are mainly traditionalist and muslim are the most severe on widows. The aim of slavery varied as different slave masters acquired slaves either to increase wealth or intermarry. The Ashantis are well known for their strict observance and co-operation during funeral rites. > The Department of Psychology and Education Practicum Two Group Two of the University of Education, Winneba, has called for the abolition of cruel aspects of widowhood rites in society. Bortei-Dorku (1990) reports that (as of 1990) the Law Reform Commission was considering legislation to abolish or restrict widowhood rites. Any children she bears him will be the children of the dead husband. After the child naming ceremony, puberty rites are the next set of rituals of social status transformation which children undergo in Ghanaian culture. Due to this, it became one of the trade centers for the Europeans. ... Whilst these practices are traditionally considered as a form of rehabilitation, "some of the practices involved are cruel, degrading and traumatic for the victims and amount to a denial of their rights" (UNECA, 1984: 7). FAQ | Among the Northern tribes the widows are required to stay indoors sitting together if there are several widows, alone if there is only one. It is the period to prove ones maturity due to the responsibility it posses on the Couples. Widowhood is a tragedy that befalls a married person as a result of the timely or untimely death of the spouse, either the husband or the wife, making the survival a widow or a widower. My conclusion is that funeral rites among Ashanti immigrants in Toronto represent a mix of Ashanti and Western cultures. As explained above, few widows, especially those in the rural areas, dare attempt to get their problems resolved through the courts, or to apply for relief through the social welfare agencies. Widowhood definition is - the fact or state of being a widow. The Ashanti immigrant community in Toronto has undergone tremendous acculturation due to emigration, but they still adhere to modifications of old values. Accessibility Statement. Most of the Asante live in a region centred on the city of Kumasi, which was the capital of the former independent Asante state. This paper considers funeral rites among the Akans and its impact on the Adventist Church. In a telephone interview with the Research Directorate, the executive director of MATCH International, a non-governmental organization that works with women in developing countries in Africa and Latin and Central America, based in Ottawa, stated that among the Ashanti, as in other ethnic groups in Ghana, women are expected to observe rituals such as being secluded in the dark during the period of mourning, bathing in cold water, and abstaining from eating certain foods (23 Apr. It is not just a question of men against women, but of mothers-in-law and sisters-in-law uniting in their bitterness that a wicked woman has deprived them of a son or a brother. It is managed by a Board of. These slaves came about through warfare and battles in which they came victorious. Or they are forced to abandon their babies and those small children who are too young to beg. The participants dress in accordance with tradition, the dress worn by relatives is in red while the others wear black cloth and every piece of gold jewelry their bodies can support. Various rituals and other expressions of culture and spirituality are incorporated that includes the family and community. As a result the Spouse has to perform the final rite to ensure two things: Separation from the husband/wife in the spiritual realm Widows never have sufficient cash to buy medicines or follow a healthy diet. Widows tend not to seek medical help because the drugs have to be paid for and they cannot meet the hospital bills ... (n.d.). Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request. Title II. Many widows faced with this situation turn to begging or prostitution. In one reported case the in-laws murdered a widow after she complained to a human rights lawyer that her brother-in-law had sold all her husband's land on which she depended on for food. Even among the Igbos of the South East under discussion, there are slight observable differences. The Ga-Dangmes are one ethnic group that lives primarily in the Greater Accra of Ghana. The innovations introduced have not displaced the fundamental belief in ancestors. Religion Commons, Home | These could be the "first stranger met on the road", or brothers-in-law, or the heir. In a foreign context does ritual retain its unifying function? Ashanti funeral rites in Toronto exhibit a unifying function. On the larger scale, slaves could also be used for sacrifice during funerals ceremonies. Home At midnight, some days after her husband’s funeral, the widow is expected to go out escorted by an Aja ani—priest—or Nwa nri—dwarf—to a place where he is supposed to perform a ritual for her. The mental anguish caused by such physical abuse, the sudden destitution, homelessness, starvation and insults leads a considerable number of widows to commit suicide. A woman surviving her husband is suspect, and to avoid such suspicion she must demonstrate her grief and penance by wearing special clothes, avoiding people and all social occasions such as weddings and parties. The issue of widowhood rites, which has been described as one of the most dehumanising, uncivilised and negative cultural practices in the world, due to its associated violation of the rights of women, is still rife in some parts of the three Northern regions of Ghana. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Both the widow and the widower will be required to carry out some ritual after the burial of the spouse – The widowhood rites are explained further on the widowhood page. 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