IN NORTHERN TANZANIA, WOMEN MARRY WOMEN FOR LAND, SAFETY & HEALTH

In northern Tanzania, women are continuing
the tradition of marrying other women in a
tradition called “ Nyumba Nthobu ” in order to
sidestep a society that often disenfranchises and
disempowers them.

In Mara region’s Tarime district, old and young
women say, “I do,” in order to create better lives
for both themselves and their offspring .
For example, 60-year-old Wegesa
Marwa (pictured right) has been married to wife
Nyanswi (pictured) for 15 years, because she had
no male children with her deceased husband,
which means she also had no heir to her land or
family name.
Wegesa explains, “In our culture, women
cannot inherit property, so I looked for a wife
to help, so when I die, they can inherit the
family property.”
Nyanswi, 35, has six children with the nephew
of Wegesa’s deceased husband. And while he
already has his own family and claims no
parental rights over his children, he agreed to
serve as the biological Father to Nyanswi’s
children in order to extend his late-uncle’s
name.
While it isn’t clear how far this tradition goes back,
other women have also been using the practice to
escape domestic violence, which is said to be
rampant in the community .
In fact, 60 percent of Tarime women say they
have been victims of domestic and/or emotional
abuse.
Seeking a way out of violent relationships,
women team up, helping to rear children;
complete house chores, such as fetching water,
farming, and grazing cattle; and provide each
other with support.