ABSTRACT
Should a widow become pregnant while still wearing " owulu ", or before the days of mourning are fulfilled, she must go elsewhere for the birth of her child. In due time, after making the proper sacrifice for removing pollution from the land, usually performed by a priest from Nri, she may return home again but without the child. It is cast away or, if near enough, passed on to the people ofNri. To free a widow from her obligations, and sanction the removal of the "owulu ", the following custom must be observed, namely, " Nme-ani ", that is, " to make (worship) the land." Briefly the ceremony is as follows, with small variations according to locality.
