JOURNALS

ABSTRACT

The problem of persistent inhumane practices meted out on widows in contemporary societies remains a concern. Many widows are subjected to some obnoxious practices like being coerced into drinking the water used in bathing their husbands' corpses, having their hair barbed as a sign of respect for the dead, denial of access to their husband’s property and appearing tattered for a one year or six months among others. What is more worrisome is the fact that these practices still persist today in the face of modernity that has changed quite a lot of cultural practices considered anti-people. Christianity has made much socio-political impacts in Africa but these obnoxious widow practices remain unyielding, even on widows of Christian husbands from Christian families. In spite of Christian teachings that emphasize love and care for the bereaved and helpless widows, there is still persistent disrespect, inhuman, disorganizing, and humiliation of widows upon the death of their husbands. This unpleasant injustice against widows leaves nothing to be desired. Therefore, this study investigated Christian impact on obnoxious traditional widowhood practices in Nigeria. Specifically, the study, using the qualitative research approach, consulted relevant literature to ascertain the various shades of obnoxious widowhood practices prevalent in the land and what Christian responses towards these practices should be. Based on the review of related literature, it was found that the obnoxious practices are harmful to widows while the Christian impacts bring succour to them. It is therefore recommended that the Christian model of concerns for the widows should be the standard because it provides an exemplary way for the Christian church in addressing the concerns of the harmful cultural practices.