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Among the Nandi and Kipsigis sub-groups of the Kalenjin community, there exists a unique cultural tradition where a woman may enter into a marital arrangement with another woman.
While it may resemble marriage by name, its roots are neither romantic nor sexual but social, economic, and cultural.
A response to infertility and the need for a male heir
Among the Nandi, just like many African communities, the continuation of a family line has historically depended on sons.
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Sons inherit land, carry the family name forward, and perform crucial cultural rites. In the unfortunate circumstance where a woman is unable to bear childrenâor bears only daughtersâher lineage may be seen as vulnerable.
To solve this, some women take on the role of a 'female husband,' marrying a younger woman with the expectation that she will have children on behalf of the family.
This arrangement ensures that the household has an heir, often with a preference for a male child.
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Kalenjin culture(Insta Stalker)
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Not a marriage in the 'modern' sense
Although the term âmarriageâ is used, the concept in this context differs greatly from Western understandings. There is no romantic involvement between the two women.
Instead, the elder woman pays bride-wealth and assumes responsibilities akin to those of a traditional husband, including authority over the household and its future generations.
Any children born in the union are considered part of the female husbandâs lineage. The biological fathers of these children typically have no recognised claims or rights over them.
Social status and gender dynamics
By marrying another woman, the female husband gains social recognition similar to that of a male head of the household.
She participates in decision-making, property management, and community leadershipâroles traditionally reserved for men.
This shift in gender roles is significant. The female husband effectively becomes a male figure in the eyes of the community, tasked with safeguarding the familyâs name and wealth.
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In some instances, she may even marry more than one woman to increase the chances of producing a male descendant.
Cultural function, not sexual identity
Importantly, this form of marriage is not tied to sexual orientation. It serves a functional purpose within a patriarchal cultural system and should not be interpreted through the lens of modern Western concepts of same-sex relationships.
The union exists to address specific family and societal needs rather than personal preference.
Changing times, changing traditions
While still respected in certain traditional settings, such arrangements are becoming less common. Today, many families unable to conceive are turning to adoption or modern fertility treatments.
Legal reforms in Kenya have also made it more acceptable for women and daughters to inherit property, reducing the pressure to produce a male heir.
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Nevertheless, the practice remains an insightful example of how indigenous cultures developed complex solutions to social challenges, long before contemporary legal and medical interventions became available.