Cecily Zamora
The concept of a widow having a brother-in-law as a husband is known as levirate marriage, derived from the Latin word levir meaning husband's brother. This practice was common in ancient societies with strong clan structures, where exogamous marriage was forbidden. Levirate marriage was a means to provide protection and support for widows, who were vulnerable to poverty and exploitation. It also served to preserve the deceased man's lineage, inheritance, and tribal identity. While it is no longer illegal, it was prohibited for many years due to the close relationship between in-laws and blood relatives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is a levirate marriage? | A type of marriage in which the brother of a deceased man is obliged to marry his brother's widow. |
| Where is it mentioned? | The practice of levirate marriage is mentioned in the Bible in Deuteronomy 25:5-10, Genesis 38, Matthew 22, and Ruth 3:9, 4:5. |
| Why does it happen? | To provide an heir for the deceased, to preserve the family name and inheritance, and to protect and provide for the widow. |
| Where is it practised? | Levirate marriage has been practised by societies with a strong clan structure, such as the Huns, Hungarians, Goula in the Central African Republic, Mambila in Cameroon, Maragoli in Kenya, and the Urhobo people in Nigeria. It was also observed by the Jewish community in Yemen until their immigration to Israel in 1950. |
| Is it still legal? | While it was illegal for many years in some places, it is no longer prohibited. However, in some cases, such as in Somalia, it has fallen out of favour due to changing social and religious interpretations. |
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What You'll Learn
Levirate marriage
In ancient times, if a man died without a child, it was common for the man's unmarried brother to marry the widow in order to provide an heir for the deceased. The first son produced in that union was considered the legal descendant of her dead husband. For example, in the Bible, there are a couple of examples of levirate marriage, such as the story of Tamar and Onan in Genesis 38. Tamar had been married to Er, a son of Judah. When Er died, leaving Tamar childless, Judah told Onan, "Sleep with your brother's wife and fulfill your duty to her as a brother-in-law to raise up offspring for your brother" (Genesis 38:8). Another example is the story of Ruth and Boaz, in which Ruth asked Boaz to marry her and preserve the land her husband had owned.
In some cultures, levirate marriage is still practiced today. For example, among the Goula people in the northern part of the Central African Republic, and among the Mambila of northern Cameroon, it is customary for a widow to be "inherited" by a brother or son of her deceased husband. In some parts of Nigeria, it is common for a woman to marry her late husband's brother if she had children with him. In Somalia, levirate marriage is called 'Dumaal' and is provided for under customary law. However, in recent decades, the practice has fallen out of favor due to the influence of strict Islamic interpretations.
While levirate marriage was once common in Jewish communities, it has declined in favor of halizah, a ceremony in which both parties renounce the marriage. In 1950, the practice was officially forbidden in Israel, except for those already married through levirate marriage from outside the country.
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Protection for widows
In ancient times, if a man died childless, it was common for the man's brother to marry his widow to provide an heir for the deceased. This practice, known as levirate marriage, was observed in societies with a strong clan structure where marriage outside the clan was forbidden. While it may have served as a form of protection for widows and their children by ensuring they had a male provider, it also placed women under the authority of their husbands and regarded them as possessions.
The concept of levirate marriage is mentioned in the Bible, with examples such as Tamar and Onan in Genesis 38. Additionally, Jesus was questioned about this practice by the Sadducees, who presented a scenario involving multiple brothers dying childless and leaving their widow to successive brothers (Matthew 22).
Levirate marriage has been practised by various cultural and religious groups, including the Huns, Hungarians, Goula people in the Central African Republic, Mambila of northern Cameroon, Maragoli of western Kenya, and the Urhobo people in Nigeria. In some cases, widows were given a choice whether to remarry and could marry their stepson or a more distant relative of their late husband. For example, in 2017, the Indian Army removed a restriction on monetary allowances for widows of gallantry awardees if they remarried someone other than their late husband's brother.
While levirate marriage may have provided financial security for widows, it also reinforced patriarchal norms and limited women's autonomy. In modern times, this practice has been questioned and, in some cases, prohibited. For instance, in the 1800s, marrying one's brother's widow was illegal in some places, and registrars refused to perform such marriages. Additionally, in 1950, the Rabbinate of Israel, along with the Chief Sephardic Rabbi, forbade the practice among the Yemenite Jewish community, citing the need for uniformity among Jewish groups.
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Lineage preservation
The concept of lineage preservation holds significant importance across various religious, cultural, and societal contexts. It involves safeguarding the continuity of a family line or dynasty, often through specific practices and traditions. One example of lineage preservation is the biblical account of the Messiah's lineage, which traces back to King David. This preservation of the Messianic line is considered a miracle, as it required the survival of a male descendant in each generation, culminating in the birth of Jesus.
In certain societies, lineage preservation is deeply intertwined with marriage customs and the role of women in perpetuating family lines. For instance, the practice of levirate marriage involves a brother's obligation to marry his brother's widow, primarily to provide an heir for the deceased. This custom has been observed in various cultures, including ancient societies, biblical narratives, and modern-day communities in Africa and Asia. While it offers protection and provision for widows and their children, it has also been criticized for its patriarchal implications.
In Islam, for example, marriage and progeny play pivotal roles in lineage preservation. Offspring are considered a blessing and a means to establish a pure society where virtue prevails. Marriage is viewed as the ideal framework for family growth and societal stability, fostering personal happiness and communal harmony. This perspective underscores the significance of lineage preservation in shaping not only individual identities but also the fabric of society as a whole.
While lineage preservation is often associated with family trees and genetic continuity, it is essential to acknowledge that adoption and chosen families also play a role in modern interpretations of lineage. Recognizing the evolving nature of families and the diverse ways in which lineage is defined and preserved ensures that the concept remains relevant and inclusive in today's world. Ultimately, lineage preservation is about honoring the past, shaping the present, and safeguarding a dynamic legacy for future generations.
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Tribal identity
The concept of tribal identity is a complex and multifaceted one, shaped by various factors, including cultural heritage, traditions, customs, rituals, and shared histories. These traditions are deeply embedded in the values, beliefs, and worldviews of the community, and language, religion, and spirituality play a significant role in giving members a sense of shared purpose and understanding.
At its core, tribal identity is about a sense of belonging and shared identity. It is often rooted in deep cultural, historical, and geographical contexts. Members of a tribe tend to possess a strong feeling of identity, with intense feelings of common identity that create a sense of "us versus them" or in-group versus out-group. This can lead to discriminatory behaviour or attitudes towards those outside the tribe, based on a strong loyalty to one's own group.
The social structure of tribes can vary greatly, but they are typically small in size and are bound by various modalities of face-to-face and object integration. They are often characterized by a strong political solidarity, especially in the context of post-truth politics.
In the modern world, tribal identity is influenced by external forces such as globalization, modernity, and social dynamics, which can complicate the process of self-understanding for tribal members. Government policies, intercultural interactions, and modern influences can challenge traditional practices and create a complex, fluid understanding of one's identity within the tribe.
Despite these complexities, many individuals still seek tribal identity as it provides a sense of comfort and protection. It allows individuals to align themselves with others who share similar beliefs, values, or characteristics, creating a sense of belonging and shared purpose.
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Widow's choice
The concept of a widow's brother-in-law is related to the historical practice of levirate marriage, which is a type of marriage where a brother is obliged to marry his deceased brother's widow. The term 'levirate' is derived from the Latin word 'levir', meaning "husband's brother". Levirate marriage has been observed in various societies, including ancient societies, the Huns, Hungarians, Goula people in the Central African Republic, Mambila people in northern Cameroon, Maragoli people in western Kenya, Nandi people in the Kenyan highlands, and some parts of Nigeria. It is also mentioned in the Bible and was practiced by the Jewish community in Yemen until their immigration to Israel in 1950.
In the context of levirate marriage, widows did have a brother-in-law, as the brother of their deceased husband became their brother-in-law through marriage. However, the choice of whether to participate in levirate marriage varied depending on the society and time period. In some societies, widows were vulnerable and dependent on male protection and provision, so levirate marriage served as a means of ensuring their survival and protection. In these cases, the widow may not have had a choice but to marry her brother-in-law or someone else from her late husband's family.
On the other hand, in some societies, widows had a choice whether to remarry at all and, if they chose to, whether to marry their brother-in-law or someone else. For example, in the case of Kalankatuatsi and the Huns, the widow had the option to remarry, and her new husband could be her brother-in-law or her stepson. Similarly, in Somalia, the widow is usually given a choice in the matter, although this practice has fallen out of favor due to strict Islamic interpretations.
It is important to note that the practice of levirate marriage has declined in many societies. In the example of Jane and Edward from the 1800s, Edward, the brother of Jane's deceased husband, wanted to marry her, but they were refused by registrars due to it being considered a prohibited marriage at the time. However, as mentioned in another source, in more recent times, it is no longer illegal for a widow to marry her deceased husband's brother in some places, indicating a shift in societal norms and legal frameworks surrounding this practice.
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Frequently asked questions
A levirate marriage is a type of marriage in which the brother of a deceased man is obliged to marry his brother's widow.
The term levirate comes from the Latin "levir", meaning "husband's brother".
The primary purpose of a levirate marriage is to ensure that the deceased man's name, inheritance, and lineage are preserved within the family. The firstborn son of the levirate marriage would carry the name of the deceased brother.
While levirate marriage was historically practiced in various societies, it has largely fallen out of favor in recent times due to changing social norms and legal prohibitions. However, it is still considered in some cultural and religious traditions.
In modern times, widows generally have the choice to remarry or not, and they are not obligated to marry their brother-in-law. In some cultures, widows may face social or religious pressure to marry their deceased husband's brother, but it is ultimately their decision.
