Abstract:
There comes a time in the life of a woman when life itself loses meaning. This is when a woman’s husband dies. The burden of living the rest of her life under a new relationship and responsibility becomes hazardous. This thesis is on the phenomenon of widowhood in Ihechiowa, the response of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria. The work was informed by the numerous inhuman treatments like shaving of hairs, sleeping with corpse, wearing of rages and confinement meted on the widows in Ihechiowa. This work tries to know more about the causes of widowhood and their plight and at the same time discover how Christianity could serve as a vehicle of salvaging humanity in Ihechiowa. Furthermore, the researcher attempted to create an awareness of the immense dangers and implications of inhuman treatments on the widows especially as time and season are exposing people to their rights and privileges. The method of research used in the investigation was oral interview and the use of written materials which includes both primary and secondary sources. The data gathered from numerous journals and other sources from the library and archives were sifted, selected, described and analyzed. Other investigations reveals that widowhood is rampant among the youth and aged people ie between (30-60) thirty to sixty years. Moreso, it was discovered that some widows suffered emotional trauma immediately they lost their husbands by death. The research revealed that the plights of widows are being reduced due to the advent of civilization and Christianity. In a related development, it was discovered that the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria has not done much in the areas of helping the widows overcome their plights. Nevertheless, it was confirmed by investigation and data collected that some widowhood experiences are as a result of ignorance and tradition. The work therefore contributes significantly to the increase of people’s knowledge on the causes of widowhood. This will help the young people intending to marry to consider issues like age gap, education, cultural, traditional differences and religious beliefs etc before entering into marriage.
