Emergent Issues on Widowhood Practices in Igbo Culture: Between the Video Screen and Reality

Abstract

Video film has become an important and persuasive medium of expression in the African continent. It helps in the presentation, preservation and promotion of the African image. In Nigeria, the boom in the video film industry (Nollywood) has resulted in the promotion and marketing of Nigeria culture. Hence they reflect
cotemporary social life and culture while exposing the old and primitive culture of the people for what they are. This paper focuses on the reflection of widowhood practice in Igbo culture, as captured by the lenses of some video film makers in Nigeria. It further attempts an appraisal on the ideology behind such portrait and points out some faulty cultural issues that were reflected in the video films.