THESIS - Contents

• Chapter I Introduction
  • 1.1 Background and Objectives
  • 1.2 Theories and Methodology of African Women's history.
  • 1.3 The Setting.
    • 1.3.1 The Igbo- General background:
  • 1.4 Central Problems and Framework.
  • 1.5 Sources and method of data collection
    • 1.5.1 Oral sources.
    • 1.5.2 Demographic Features.
    • 1.5.3 Archival sources and court records.
    • 1.5.4 Previous Research
• Chapter II Igbo Widowhood Rituals and Practices.
  • 2. Widowhood Rituals - Igba Nkpe
  • 2.1 Rituals at Death and Funeral
  • 2.2 Ritual Seclusion -Ino na Nso:
  • 2.3 The Sociology of Widowhood Practices
• Chapter III Widows in Domestic and Affinal Relationship
  • 3.1 Igbo Marriage System: An Overview.
  • 3.2 Marriage Among the Igbo: Rationale.
  • 3.3 Igbo Traditional Forms of Marriage
    • 3.3.1 Widow Inheritance (Levirate)-Nkushi
    • 3.3.2 Widow Remarriage
  • 3.4 Widowhood and Polygamous Marriage
• Chapter IV Widows and the Economy
  • 4.1.1 Agriculture
  • 4.1.2 Inheritance
  • 4.1.3. Customary Right to Land
  • 4.1.4 Land Ownership.
  • 4.1.5 The Spiritual Value of Land.
  • 4.1.6 Other Problems for Farming Widows
• 4.2 Trade
  • 4.3 Kin Group and Communal Assistance
  • 4.4 New Possibilities
• Chapter V Disadvantaged or Privileged? A Conclusion.
• Appendix A
• Appendix B
• Bibliography