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Practices of Relatedness and the Re-Invention of Duol as a Network of Care for Orphans and Widows in Western Kenya

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 March 2011

Erick Otieno Nyambedha  and
Jens Aagaard-Hansen
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Abstract

Duol is a term used in reference to traditional Luo life to signify unity and solidarity within a lineage under the authority of the elders. This authority was most prominent in the pre-colonial period, and continued up to independence. It declined steadily under the impact of modernity during the post-independence period. Consequently, the institution oí duol fell into disuse. The emergence of the HIV/AIDS pandemic has renewed the need for unity and solidarity in finding community-based solutions. The original principles of duol are now manifested in a transformed version of duol and similar collaborative community initiatives. This article suggests that efforts to assist communities adversely affected by HIV/AIDS pandemic should base their interventions in the various community-based collaborative initiatives. Traditional institutions, it is argued, may be re-invented in times of turmoil as new forms of relatedness through which human agency is focused to counter serious challenges to rural communities.

Résumé

Duol est un terme utilisé à propos de la vie traditionnelle luo pour signifier unité et solidarité au sein d'un lignage sous l'autorité des anciens. Cette autorité avait plus de proéminence au cours de la période précoloniale et de la socialite luo post-coloniale immédiate. Elle s'est progressivement affaiblie sous l'impact de la modernité au cours de la période post-indépendance. L'institution du duol est alors tombée en désuétude. L'émergence de la pandémie du VIH/SIDA a ravivé le besoin d'unité et de solidarité pour trouver des solutions communautaires. Les principes d'origine du duol se manifestent aujourd'hui dans une version transformée du duol et des initiatives communautaires collaboratives similaires. Cet article suggère que les actions d'aide aux communautés affectées par la pandémie de VIH/SIDA devraient s'inspirer des diverses initiatives collaboratives communautaires. Il soutient que les institutions traditionnelles pourraient être réinventées, en période tourmentée, sous de nouvelles formes de liens à travers lesquels l'action humaine est canalisée pour contrer les difficultés graves auxquelles sont confrontées les communautés rurales.

Type
Research Article
Information
Africa , Volume 77 , Issue 4 , November 2007 , pp. 517 - 534
Copyright
Copyright © International African Institute 2007

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