9 - Change and Continuity in Kin-Based Support Systems for Widows and Orphans among the Luo in Western Kenya
Corresponding Author(s) : Erick Otieno Nyambedha
African Sociological Review,
Vol. 8 No. 1 (2004): African Sociological Review
Abstract
This paper discusses change and continuity in the kin-based support for widows and orphans among the Luo in western Kenya. It shows how the involvement of external actors such as church and donor-sponsored institutions have transformed some traditional systems and created new opportunities for widows and orphans. For instance, an indigenous institution such as duol (originally a communal eating arrangement, which has now evolved into a prayer house), now addresses the needs of widows and orphans through church and donor assistance. Widows and orphans can now choose when and for what purpose they should utilise domestic ties, and when to turn to relations outside the extended kin group. It is noted that many widows and orphans prefer to deal with relations outside the kinship system in their everyday life. This has resulted in conjlict between the traditional and the modern systems, with the traditional one feeling undermined. It suggested that to understand change and continuity in the kin-based support for widows and orphans, we need to understand the new social processes that have influenced changes in corporate kin group responsibility. lt is argued that donor assistance to vulnerable groups, at the local level, should take into consideration the prevailing kinship structure and other relationships if conflictsof interest are to be minimised.
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- Barnett, T. and P. Blaikie. 1992. AIDS in Africa: Its Present and Future Impact, London, Belhaven Press.
- Cohen, D. W. and E. S. Atieno-Odhiambo. 1989. Siaya: The Historical Anthropology of an African Landscape, Kenya, Heinemann, London, James Currey.
- Kayongo-Male, D. and P. Onyango. 1991. The Sociology of the African Family, London, Longman.
- Mbuya, P. 1965. Luo Customs and Belief, Kendu Bay, African Herald Publishing House.
- Ntozi, J. P. M. 1997. ‘Effects of AIDS on Children: The Problem of Orphans in Uganda’, HealthTransition Review, vol. 7 (supplement), pp. 23-40.
- Nyambedha, E. O. 2000. ‘Support Systems for Orphaned Children in Nyang’oma Sub-Location, Bondo District, Western Kenya’, Unpublished MA thesis, Institute of African Studies, University of Nairobi.
- Nyambedha, E. O. and J. Aagaard-Hansen. 2003. ‘Changing Place, Changing Position: Orphans’ Movements in a Community with high HIV/AIDS Prevalence in Western Kenya’, in K. F.
- Olwig, and E. Gullov, (eds.), Children’s Places: Cross-Cultural Perspectives, London, Routledge, pp. 162-176.
- Nyambedha, E. O. and J. Aagaard-Hansen. Forthcoming. ‘The Re-Invention of Duol as a Potential, Community-Based Solution to the Problems of Orphanhood in Western Kenya’, Paper submitted for publication.
- Nyambedha, E. O., S. Wandibba, and J. Aagaard-Hansen. 2001. ‘Policy Implications of the Inadequate Support Systems for Orphans in Western Kenya’, Health policy, vol. 58, no. 1, pp.83-96.
- Nambedha, E. O., S. Wandibba, and J. Aagaard-Hansen. 2003a. ‘Changing Patterns of Orphan Care Due to the HIV Epidemic in Western Kenya’, Social science and medicine, vol. 57, no. 2, pp. 301-311.
- Nyambedha, E. O., S. Wandibba, and J. Aagaard-Hansen. 2003b. ‘“Retirement lost”: The New Role of the Elderly as Caretakers of Orphans in Western Kenya’, Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 33-52.
- Ocholla-Ayayo, A. B. C. 1976. Traditional Ideology and Ethics among the Southern Luo.
- Uppsala, The Scandinavian Institute of African Studies. Ominde, S. H. 1952. The Luo Girl: From Infancy to Marriage, London, Macmillan.
- Ouko, A. G. 1999. ‘Potential of a Local Community in HIV Preventive Strategies and Care: The Case of “Nyoluoro” in Usigu Division, Siaya District’, Unpublished MA thesis, Institute of African Studies, University of Nairobi.
- Parkin, D. 1978. The Cultural Definition of Political Response: Lineal Destiny among the Luo, London, Academic Press.
- Poonawala, S., and R. Cantor. 1991. Children Orphaned by AIDS: A Call for Action for NGOs and Donors, Washington, D.C., National Council for International Health.
- Potash, B. 1986. ‘Wives of the Grave: Widows in a Rural Luo Community’, in Betty Potash, (ed.), Widows in African Societies, Stanford, Stanford University Press, pp. 44-46.
- UNICEF. 1994. ‘AIDS and Child Victims’, in The State of the World’s Children, New York, Oxford University Press.
- Whisson, M. 1964. Change and Challenge: A Study of the Social and Economic Changes among the Luo, Nairobi, Christian Council of Kenya.
References
Barnett, T. and P. Blaikie. 1992. AIDS in Africa: Its Present and Future Impact, London, Belhaven Press.
Cohen, D. W. and E. S. Atieno-Odhiambo. 1989. Siaya: The Historical Anthropology of an African Landscape, Kenya, Heinemann, London, James Currey.
Kayongo-Male, D. and P. Onyango. 1991. The Sociology of the African Family, London, Longman.
Mbuya, P. 1965. Luo Customs and Belief, Kendu Bay, African Herald Publishing House.
Ntozi, J. P. M. 1997. ‘Effects of AIDS on Children: The Problem of Orphans in Uganda’, HealthTransition Review, vol. 7 (supplement), pp. 23-40.
Nyambedha, E. O. 2000. ‘Support Systems for Orphaned Children in Nyang’oma Sub-Location, Bondo District, Western Kenya’, Unpublished MA thesis, Institute of African Studies, University of Nairobi.
Nyambedha, E. O. and J. Aagaard-Hansen. 2003. ‘Changing Place, Changing Position: Orphans’ Movements in a Community with high HIV/AIDS Prevalence in Western Kenya’, in K. F.
Olwig, and E. Gullov, (eds.), Children’s Places: Cross-Cultural Perspectives, London, Routledge, pp. 162-176.
Nyambedha, E. O. and J. Aagaard-Hansen. Forthcoming. ‘The Re-Invention of Duol as a Potential, Community-Based Solution to the Problems of Orphanhood in Western Kenya’, Paper submitted for publication.
Nyambedha, E. O., S. Wandibba, and J. Aagaard-Hansen. 2001. ‘Policy Implications of the Inadequate Support Systems for Orphans in Western Kenya’, Health policy, vol. 58, no. 1, pp.83-96.
Nambedha, E. O., S. Wandibba, and J. Aagaard-Hansen. 2003a. ‘Changing Patterns of Orphan Care Due to the HIV Epidemic in Western Kenya’, Social science and medicine, vol. 57, no. 2, pp. 301-311.
Nyambedha, E. O., S. Wandibba, and J. Aagaard-Hansen. 2003b. ‘“Retirement lost”: The New Role of the Elderly as Caretakers of Orphans in Western Kenya’, Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 33-52.
Ocholla-Ayayo, A. B. C. 1976. Traditional Ideology and Ethics among the Southern Luo.
Uppsala, The Scandinavian Institute of African Studies. Ominde, S. H. 1952. The Luo Girl: From Infancy to Marriage, London, Macmillan.
Ouko, A. G. 1999. ‘Potential of a Local Community in HIV Preventive Strategies and Care: The Case of “Nyoluoro” in Usigu Division, Siaya District’, Unpublished MA thesis, Institute of African Studies, University of Nairobi.
Parkin, D. 1978. The Cultural Definition of Political Response: Lineal Destiny among the Luo, London, Academic Press.
Poonawala, S., and R. Cantor. 1991. Children Orphaned by AIDS: A Call for Action for NGOs and Donors, Washington, D.C., National Council for International Health.
Potash, B. 1986. ‘Wives of the Grave: Widows in a Rural Luo Community’, in Betty Potash, (ed.), Widows in African Societies, Stanford, Stanford University Press, pp. 44-46.
UNICEF. 1994. ‘AIDS and Child Victims’, in The State of the World’s Children, New York, Oxford University Press.
Whisson, M. 1964. Change and Challenge: A Study of the Social and Economic Changes among the Luo, Nairobi, Christian Council of Kenya.