Xaas

Xaas is a term for a woman in a marital relationship. In Somali, she is also called "afo" (or "affo") and "oori". The word "xaas" is sometimes applied to the household as a whole, especially the wife and children, extending its meaning beyond a single person.

The status of xaasnimo (wifehood) begins when a marriage is contracted and ends through divorce, the death of the husband, or the dissolution of the marriage. Most legal systems grant a xaas specific rights and duties, including maintenance, inheritance, and rights related to children.

Etymology

The word "xaas" derives from Arabic. In Somali usage it has two related meanings: the married woman, and the household for which she is responsible. "Oori" is a native Somali word used mainly in regional dialects. The male counterpart is called "nin" or "odey", with "ninkeed" used when referring to the marriage relationship.

Legal aspects

Family law in various countries defines how marriage is registered and what rights a xaas holds. These typically include: household maintenance, shared or divided marital property, and a share of inheritance upon the husband's death. Under Islamic law, the xaas receives the mahr (dower), a payment or gift from the husband, and the husband is obligated to provide household maintenance. Formal legal systems and local customs sometimes conflict, particularly on matters of inheritance and marriage authority.

Polygynous marriage

Some legal and religious systems permit a man to have more than one xaas (polygyny). In such cases, each xaas has a separate legal status, and the expectation is typically that maintenance and housing be distributed equitably among them. Other systems restrict marriage to one spouse, and a second marriage without divorce is considered legally invalid.

Changing roles

Over recent decades, in many places the xaas's role has shifted from purely household management and child-rearing to include economic contribution, as some legal systems have expanded women's rights to own property and engage in paid work. Increased education and labor force participation have made many xaas contributors to household income, though the division of domestic work remains a subject of social research.