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Heart and Soul: The dead are not dead

Heart and Soul: The dead are not dead

What is Enkumbi, a ritual practised in certain cultures in Uganda and across Africa?

The Documentary Podcast · BBC World Service

October 18, 202426m 30s

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Show Notes

In certain cultures in Uganda and across Africa, a belief exists where departed husbands return as ethereal entities to engage in intimate encounters with their living partners. To ward off this phenomenon, women are required to perform Enkumbi. Ugandan presenter Daniel Leinhardt sets out to investigate this belief and its impact, including the role it may play in subjugating women. He from couples who see the Enkumbi rituals as something they still must perform, and women who think it's old fashioned nonsense but who still harbour the doubt of 'what if it's not?'