Widow Inheritance among the Maragoli of Western Kenya

Abstract

I examine continuity and change in the practice of widow inheritance among the Maragoli of western Kenya. I argue that the practice benefits and serves different and sometimes conflicting interests for various groups of men and women. The lived experiences and perspectives of Maragoli widows with regard to this practice are not homogenous, and, therefore, they cannot be said to have a single and invariant preference. The results of this study show that although widow inheritance still obtains among the Maragoli, signs of an impending change are appearing as more economically secure and resource-owning widows become increasingly assertive of their right to make independent decisions about what to do with their lives.