Widow ‘dispossession’ in northern Namibian inheritance

Abstract

This paper examines ‘asset stripping’ which is said to occur particularly in matrilineal societies when young widows are stripped of their late husband's possessions. Contrary to many scholars who see asset stripping as a recent phenomenon and who believe that recent moves by traditional Owambo leaders to protect widows is a product of enlightenment induced by contemporary human rights activism, this paper shows that ‘asset stripping’ has deep historical roots and was a subject of contention even in the earliest mission accounts of over a century ago. Moreover, the historical records show that leaders, both traditional and Church, have long tried to improve the situation for widows, but have not achieved the success they desired. The relative failure of these legal innovations to protect widows is described and analysed. The problem is a structural one exacerbated by recent State efforts at gender equity. Finally, given the historical structural nature of the issue, questions are raised about the current proclivity to use rapid assessment techniques.