Masters Degrees (Old and New Testament)
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Browsing Masters Degrees (Old and New Testament) by Author "Ahiamadu, Amadi"
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- ItemThe daughters of Zelophehad : a Nigerian perspective on inheritance of land by women according to Numbers 27:1-11(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2005-04) Ahiamadu, Amadi; Bosman, Hendrik; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Old & New Testament.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Chapter one of this research and its hypothesis outlines the way in which land inheritance has been applied in past decades to the total exclusion of women. This study includes mainly the Ogba and Ekpeye and concentrates on areas where the Bible has been read for nearly 100 years without any appreciable impact on the cultural restrictions imposed on women with respect to the inheritance of land. Chapter two highlights the practices of land tenure in both the ancient Near East (ANE) and ancient Israel, with specific emphasis on the concepts of ahuzzah and nahalah, the role of the kinsman redeemer (goe/) in the redemption and retension of the family inheritance, and the importance of the dowry as a substitute for land inheritance. Chapter three looks at the social and religious status of women in the ANE and ancient Israel, and illustrates the importance of women as daughters or wives. The specific inheritance rights enjoyed by women in ANE societies are also mentioned. The inheritance rights of women in South-east Nigeria and the Niger Delta are covered in chapter four. The traditional system of land holding and the relationship between this system and the socio-economic status of women are disussed. Empirical evidence from the Niger Delta communities is given and a comparison made with other groups in Niqerie. The thesis proceeds to make a functionally equivalent translation of the Zelophehad narrative (Num. 27:1-11) with the understanding that such unique texts, if properly understood, could impact on the cultural perceptions of the people in terms of the inheritance rights of women. This contrasts with the more literal, second language translations which seem not to have had any significant impact on the communities so far. The final chapter makes an evaluation of the central hypothesis. Due to logistic difficulties, the application of the results of the research to the target communities may have to wait until funds are available to test the translation within the target communities. Such a test will have to be done over a period of time to determine its impact on the problem facing women with respect to inheritance rights.