Menopause
Menopause
One is not born beautiful, but rather becomes beautiful over the course of a lifetime. -Luba Proverb
For African women menopause can often be a very empowering time in their lives bringing them more respect and freedom. When a woman is done bearing children she often chooses to return to her own compound. If she is financially capable she may build her own house.
All elderly women are considered aje, which has been translated as "witchcraft" or "witch." The Yoruba people describe aje as the special powers women possess since they have the power to bring things into existence. For the Yoruba "witch" does not have a negative connotation. Instead these women receive respect, affection, and deference. It is thought that because of their special powers they have greater access to Yoruba deities (Drewal 178).