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Women’s security through heterosexual marriage in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: an African woman’s reading of the book of Ruth

In Congolese society, heterosexual marriage is a highly regarded institution that
is viewed as contributing significantly to the true identities of women. In this
study, I use Masenya’s terminologies, “idolization of marriage” and “marriage at
all costs”, as springboards to re-read the story of Ruth in the Hebrew Bible in
light of the experiences of Congolese women who tend to regard marriage as a
norm. I have analysed and critiqued patriarchy as it has shaped the lives of
biblical women (cf the Ruth character in the Hebrew Bible) as well as it
continues to shape the lives of many Congolese women. Although in some
sense, the Ruth character can be emulated in terms of her sense of independence,
in terms of her commitment to seeking marriage at all costs though, Ruth,
cannot be a helpful model to the lives of many poor Anamongo women who
today trapped in poverty, continue to regard heterosexual marriage as the norm
in their search for survival, security, and value. / Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern Studies / M. Th. (Old Testament)

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:umkn-dsp01.int.unisa.ac.za:10500/4827
Date01 1900
CreatorsKondemo, Marthe Maleke
ContributorsMasenya, M. J.
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeDissertation
Format1 online resource (x, 151 leaves)

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