Proverbs 31:10-31: Autochthonous wives’ roles for stable families in Ohafia matrilineal society

Abstract

Matriliny is a kinship system in which descent is traced through the mother’s line. This cultural diversity within the African continent is found among the Ohafia village group of Southeast Nigeria. In Ohafia matrilineal society, many men are married to autochthonous Ohafia wives, that is, women who are natives of Ohafia by birth. Culturally, the children of a man who married an autochthonous wife belong to his wife’s brothers and sisters. This encourages many husbands to abandon the responsibility of training their children. They use their resources to train their sisters’ children. Consequently, the burden of children’s upbringing usually becomes the responsibility of wives, and this interferes with their contributions in ensuring that their families are stable. This article aimed to compare the roles of an autochthonous wife with the attributes of wisdom displayed by the capable wife of Proverbs 31:10–31. This pericope is an alphabetic acrostic poem in which wisdom is personified as a wife. Literary analysis was employed in interpreting the pericope while comparative analysis was used in the interplay between the text and the prevailing cultural practice in the Ohafia community. Findings from this study revealed that some of the qualities of wisdom expressed in Proverbs 10:10–31 are replicated by many autochthonous Ohafia wives in their bid to ensure the functionality of their families. On the other hand, some of the traits of wisdom expressed in the text are lacking among autochthonous Ohafia wives.

Contribution: This study contributes to gender studies, theology and culture, and religion and society. The article compares the roles of autochthonous Ohafia wives in maintaining stable families with the distinguishing attributes of wisdom displayed by the capable wife of Proverbs 31:10–31. It beckons on autochthonous Ohafia wives to embrace wisdom, because wisdom is principal to sustain God’s order for family life.