Genesis 15:1–6 and child adoption in Awkunanaw, Enugu state, Nigeria

dc.contributor.authorUgwuewo, Chisom S.
dc.contributor.authorObiorah, Mary Jerome
dc.contributor.authorChukwuma, Onyekachi Gift
dc.date.accessioned2025-09-04T08:43:06Z
dc.date.available2025-09-04T08:43:06Z
dc.date.issued2024-11-06
dc.descriptionDATA AVAILABILITY : A greater percentage of the data used for this work was novel and was gathered from field work (personal communication). Data generated are available upon reasonable request from the corresponding author, O.G.C.
dc.description.abstractAdoption is a global phenomenon, and many childless couples choose adoption because they cannot have children biologically. Over the years, legally approved orphanages have been a beacon of hope for prospective adoptive parents. However, in contemporary times, many childless couples have employed both legal and illegal means to have children. As a result, baby-making industries have become a lucrative business because it is a fast means for childless couples to have children. In the contemporary Awkunanaw, this practice has devalued socio-cultural practices and made the Awkunanaw society and her dwellers vulnerable to social vices. This study investigates the importance of adopting a child from a known background other than a strange one. Genesis 15: 1-6 tells of God's covenant with Abram in which God promised him a great reward. Amid the divine promises of greatness and protection, Abram was worried about his state of childlessness. The part of the pericope which relates to this study is that Abram adopted an heir from a known background. The exegetical research methods employed in studying Genesis 15:1-6 include a narrative method and sociological approach to the study of the Old Testament. The data obtained through interviews and secondary sources were analysed using the phenomenological method. The study aims to advocate that Awkunanaw parents who patronise baby-making industries should desist from such practice as it contributes to the prevalence of social vices in the community. INTRADISCIPLINARY AND/OR INTERDISCIPLINARY IMPLICATIONS: The article studies adoption in Awkunanaw, Enugu state, Nigeria, in the light of Abraham's narrative in Genesis 15:1-6. In Awkunanaw culture, adoption from an unknown background is abhorred. The article submits that adopting children from unknown backgrounds is precarious for the social development and peace of the Awkunanaw community. Hence, the study is a contribution to Old Testament discourses on religion and society. Its related disciplines are sociology, biblical interpretation and practical theology.
dc.description.departmentOld Testament Studies
dc.description.librarianam2025
dc.description.sdgSDG-03: Good health and well-being
dc.description.urihttp://www.ve.org.za
dc.identifier.citationUgwuewo, C.S., Obiorah, M.J. & Chukwuma, O.G., 2024, ‘Genesis 15:1–6 and child adoption in Awkunanaw, Enugu state, Nigeria’, Verbum et Ecclesia 45(1), a3151. https://doi.org/10.4102/ve.v45i1.3151.
dc.identifier.issn1609-9982 (Print)
dc.identifier.issn2074-7705 (online)
dc.identifier.other10.4102/ve.v45i1.3151
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/104203
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherAOSIS
dc.rights© 2024. The Authors. Licensee: AOSIS. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.
dc.subjectGenesis 15:1–6
dc.subjectChildlessness
dc.subjectAdoption
dc.subjectBaby-making industries
dc.subjectAwkunanaw
dc.titleGenesis 15:1–6 and child adoption in Awkunanaw, Enugu state, Nigeria
dc.typeArticle

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