Abstract:
The main focus of this paper was to attempt a critical appraisal of the levirate custom among the Luo of Kenya and to underscore the implications of existentialism on the custom. The study explores the nature and practice of Wife inheritance in light of the Existentialist philosophical postulations on human nature and destiny. This qualitative type of research was based on a critical review of existing literature on the practice of wife inheritance among the Luo community. It employed the Critical-Analytical, Reflective and the Speculative Philosophical methods, thus the Holistic approach. It also used the Historical method to trace the historical development of the custom. The questionnaires and tape recording were some of the tools used in data collection. The findings of the study underscored that the Luo levirate custom can benefit a lot from the existentialist philosophical postulations. The findings add to the limited yet much needed data on widows. It is also useful to policy makers and the different agencies in dealing with gender equity, human rights, development and HIV/AIDS pandemic in the contemporary society.
