Throughout a lot of the world, marriage customs typically centre on men initiating the process — proposing, paying bride value, and assuming the function of head of the family. Nonetheless, in varied African and Asian communities, this custom is turned on its head. In these societies, ladies not solely lead the wedding course of however, in some circumstances, tackle roles historically related to male spouses.
From Nigeria to China, sure cultural norms allow ladies to marry each males and different ladies — typically for causes associated to inheritance, lineage preservation, or societal stability.
Nigeria: The function of feminine husbands among the many Igbo and Yoruba
As famous in Wikipedia, inside some Igbo and Yoruba communities in Nigeria, a girl could develop into a “feminine husband” — a recognised and revered function unrelated to sexual orientation. Sometimes, this observe is adopted by ladies who’re both prosperous, childless, or don’t have any male inheritor.
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The feminine husband pays the bride value and assumes all social and familial tasks. Any kids born to the youthful lady — normally by way of a particular male accomplice — are thought-about the kids of the feminine husband.
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Kenya: Nandi and Kikuyu ladies who marry ladies
Comparable customs exist amongst Kenya’s Nandi and Kikuyu ethnic teams. In line with Wikipedia, ladies who’re widowed, rich, or with out kids could marry youthful ladies to make sure their household identify and lineage are preserved.
“The feminine husband adopts the male social function, and any offspring are recognised as a part of her household line moderately than that of the organic father.
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South Sudan: Nuer ladies as social and authorized husbands
Among the many Nuer folks of South Sudan, customary legal guidelines allow ladies to marry different ladies, particularly in circumstances of infertility or to take care of household belongings. The lady taking up the husband’s function pays dowries and is acknowledged each socially and legally as the pinnacle of the family.
On this system, the feminine husband has full authorized rights over kids born throughout the household and is acknowledged because the paternal authority.
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India: Matrilineal traditions among the many Khasi and Garo
In India’s northeast, notably among the many Khasi and Garo tribes, matrilineal traditions prevail. As The Diplomat experiences, property and surnames are handed by way of the feminine line, and males typically transfer into their wives’ household houses after marriage. The youngest daughter is often the first inheritor to the household property.
Although marriages comply with conventional customs, it’s ladies who maintain the true decision-making energy inside households and the broader group.
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China: The Mosuo and their distinctive “strolling marriages”
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In China’s Yunnan Province, the Mosuo folks practise an unconventional association often called the “strolling marriage.” As Wikipedia particulars, ladies have the liberty to decide on their male companions, who go to them solely at night time. There are not any formal marital contracts or cohabiting preparations.
Kids stay inside their mom’s family, and ladies oversee property, inheritance, and household life. The whole household construction is centred on the maternal line.
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Rethinking gender and marriage norms
These cultural traditions supply compelling examples of how gender roles in marriage can fluctuate dramatically throughout societies. All through components of Africa and Asia, ladies have lengthy performed central roles in household and group life — controlling property, overseeing inheritance, and even main marriages.
As international conversations about gender roles and equality evolve, these time-honoured practices show that girls’s management in home and social constructions is much from a contemporary invention.
