Comparative Study of Inheritance Among The Mimi People of Southern Sudan And The Bible
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Date
1998-02
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Tangaza University College
Abstract
In its most general meaning, inheritance may be taken as the passing on of possession, right or
quality by one party to another. In its technical sense the expression is derived from the Latin
word "
heres " which means "
an heir " .
In fact, the English word inheritance, has such a
wide range of connotations that it would not be an easy job to attempt an exhaustive and only
definition.
It is the act of acquiring of property, possession, conditions trait from past generations. It may
be in the line of a permanent tradition that is sure to pass on to future generations without
interference, or it may be a common heritage from nature. Among the Ma'di we find that,
there is a reception of a right or title which is descend able by law from an ancestor at his
death.
In this same respect we have the derivative " heritage " which denotes property that descends
to succeeding generations. Thus something inherited ( heritage ) may be cultural or religious.
Here we find out that inheritance, as a word is used for different related things but in all, it
means the changing of ownership. The same word is applied to the taking over of a name of an
elderly person or of an ancestor ( in each case the process being different) by a descendent
who may be young or an adult.
The term " Lahtvihwi
is applied to many varied transference phenomena. Whereas the
English word by which it is translated, often means , '
the acquisition of property or title which lakes effect at one death". Lahwihwi (inheritance)
applies to the acquisition of
those same things as well as many other things and qualities which takes effect, not only at
ones death but also without the death of anybody. It belongs to the existential life of the
M a ' d i
As missionaries, I started asking myself during my theological training what we could offer to
the majority of the Ma'di people who believe very much in inheriting the property of the
deceased or even the widow. "How do I as a missionary and a Ma 'di bring them to their
senses?"
For many have been confused by the culture and the aspect of inheritance.
This paper is a reflection on the whole question of the Comparative Study of inheritance
among the Ma 'di people of Southern Sudan and the Bible. Therefore, in the first chapter, the
phenomenon is put within the frame of inheritance and social life in Ma'di society. The second
chapter is dedicated entirely to the conception of Religious life in Ma'di society. In the third
chapter, I will present the whole question about the inheritance ceremony. The fourth chapter,
I will mention, the theological view on inheritance as found in the Bible ( accompanied with
short reflection on Ma'di understanding of inheritance in the light of the Bible). Then the last
chapter will be about the conclusion and some pastoral suggestions.
Caution, however is to be taken that this piece of work is the first of its kind in the sense that
no one before me has searched out things or materials specifically relating to inheritance
among the Ma'di people of Southern Sudan.
Description
Keywords
Inheritance and Marriage life, Inheritance and naming, Conception of Religious Life, inheritance ceremony, Inheritance in the Bible