The Dark Tradition of Widow Cleansing in Tanzania
A Forced Ritual of Purification
On Tanzania’s Ukerewe Island in Lake Victoria, widowhood carries more than grief—it brings an ancient, enforced ritual known as “widow cleansing.” For 24-year-old Vivian Magesa, this meant being compelled into sexual relations with a relative of her deceased husband just days after his burial in a fishing accident.
A Ritual Steeped in Fear and Tradition
In Ukerewe’s Kerewe, Jita, and Kara communities, widows are considered spiritually contaminated. Elders believe failure to undergo cleansing invites curses—the deceased husband’s spirit may haunt the family, bringing misfortune or death. “Without cleansing, a widow is untouchable,” explains Verdiana Lusomya, a Kara elder.
The Impossible Choice Facing Widows
For women like Magesa, refusal carries severe consequences:
- Loss of children’s inheritance rights
- Expulsion from marital homes
- Social ostracization
“They told me I’d bring bad luck to my family,” Magesa recounts. Another widow, Jenoveva Mujungu, resisted for two years before submitting: “I was tired of being treated like an outcast.”
The Health Crisis Hidden in Tradition
The ritual poses grave health risks:
- No protection used during intercourse
- “Cleansers” often perform multiple rituals
- Herbal insertions cause infections
Dr. Furaha Sangawe of Nansio District Hospital warns: “This exposes widows to HIV, trauma, and lifelong psychological scars.”
Between Change and Tradition
While activists from groups like KIMIDEU educate communities, change comes slowly. Some women now seek church blessings instead, like Miriam Majole, 69, who defied tradition: “I haven’t been cleansed, and nothing bad happened.”
A Glimmer of Hope
Magesa, now raising twin daughters, whispers her hope: “I pray this ritual becomes history.” As Tanzania modernizes, the clash between cultural preservation and women’s rights continues on Ukerewe’s shores.
Source: Original IPS UN Bureau Report