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Limerick: Once a Woman-Cleanser in Malawi

for Seodi White

Once (a) Widow-Cleanser* in Malawi
Insisted (on) being paid double fee
The dead man made certain
Left gift (on) this side (of) curtain
Now Cleanser on (the) dole with H.I.V.

• The “Widow-Cleanser” is a Malawian professional
“intermediate husband” of widows imposed on women
who cannot – under the laws of Malawi - own anything
legally, EVEN their bodies. The Woman-Cleanser sleeps
with widows for a fee ($50/-) in order to prevent widows
and future husbands from being polluted by the dead
husband.
This limerick dramatises facts divulged in a CNN interview with valorous women-rights lawyer: Seodi WHITE on March 17, 2013.

© T. Wignesan – Paris, 2013