Sexual and gender identity in indigenous law
Exploring the concept of complementarity and balance in Ifa jurisprudence
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35295/osls.iisl.2348Palavras-chave:
indigenous law, Ifa jurisprudence, concept of complementarity and balance, Sexual and gender identityResumo
This study examines gender and sexuality in African Indigenous legal traditions, focusing on Ifa Jurisprudence, a spiritual-legal system of the Yoruba. Central to Ifa is the principle of complementarity with fluidity, which emphasizes the balance and interconnectedness of male and female energies within the cosmic order, rather than rigid binaries or sexual competition. Unlike colonial legal frameworks that introduced restrictive, binary, and criminalized views of gender and sexuality, Ifa presents a more harmonious and fluid understanding of gender relations. The research highlights how this dual but neutral principle of balance can inform contemporary debates in family law, dispute resolution, and societal roles, offering alternatives to colonial and Western frameworks that often instigate fragmentation of sexual identities. Using qualitative methods, the study reviews literature and engages perspectives from Ifa practitioners to show how indigenous jurisprudence can provide valuable insights for advancing gender equity and justice in both traditional and modern contexts.
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