Perspectives of Tradition, Religion, and Science on widow inheritance among the Luo community in Kenya

Abstract

The loss of a spouse imposes significant economic, social, and psychological challenges, with widows facing the greatest burden, often addressed through the longstanding practice of widow inheritance also referred to as levirate marriage. Historically, levirate marriage was practiced in ancient Judaism and has been observed in countries such as India, West Africa, and Malawi. Further, the practice has been one of the most contested topics, with several Christian denominations having theologically diverse perspectives on the subject.  In Kenya, the Luo community is well known for widow inheritance, which entails an affair between the widow and a close relative of the widow’s late husband. The inheritor largely in all aspects, becomes a new husband and plays all the socio-economic roles of the husband. This paper adopted a systematic analysis which entailed carefully reading each available articles while identifying and synthesizing the available evidence. This study explored the traditional, religious, and scientific perspectives on widow inheritance and their influence on eliminating the practice among the Luo community. The study focused only on the Christian religion that is predominantly practiced in the region. The study revealed that tradition, religion, and science concur that caring for the widows is an essential responsibility for the community. The study also noted that this practice can bring both positive and negative impacts on the psychological well-being of the widow, depending on the inheritor. The study also pointed out that some aspects of widow inheritance have been misused leading to the exploitation of widows. The paper recommends that women and the community must stand against aspects of traditions that undermine them in society.  The study further recommends that widow inheritance should be critically reexamined within the context of modern society to align with evolving cultural and social norms. Specifically, this reexamination should focus on issues such as empowering women to have autonomy over their decisions regarding sexuality and relationships. Policymakers and community leaders should collaborate to establish guidelines and mechanisms that protect widows' rights and promote their well-being. Additionally, the study recommends that marital issues should be regarded as private and personal matters that primarily concern the individuals directly involved. Community members and families should limit their roles to offering moral support and acting as witnesses to unions, rather than imposing decisions on widows. This approach respects women's autonomy and reinforces their right to make independent choices about their lives and relationships. Finally, the study underscores the need for educational campaigns and advocacy efforts to create awareness about the harmful aspects of widow inheritance while promoting alternatives that uphold the dignity, health, and freedom of widows.

Keywords: Culture, Tradition, Religion, Levirate, Interpretivism, Widow Inheritance, Luo community, Kenya