Among the Alur, women and men practised 'safe' sex segregation

The Alur men and women were prohibited from interacting socially. However, this conduct was not imposed by the men, it was a clan agreement observed for the safety of women. By keeping the sexes separate, they believed that aggression in men, especially jealousy from husbands, was kept in check.

Even after marriage, this separation was observed. A husband and his wife lived each in their own huts. When the couple had children, the young ones lived in the mother's hut. In addition, the two had meals separately.

Due to this social setup, men tended to be more social and formed close connections with one another in their chiefdoms and clans. The women on the other hand, had to relocate to the clans of their husbands leaving the ones they're born into behind.

Structure of the Alur clans

Unlike the other Luo tribes, the Alur have a variety of dialects. These dialects are used among the 10 chiefdoms.

These clans make up the 10 chiefdoms of Angal, Juganda, Jukoth, War Palara, Mukambu, Panduru, Ukuru, Padeo, Paidha and Panyikano. Unlike other Luo tribes, the Alur have four different dialects that are used amongst the clans.

Each chiefdom comprises grass-thatched huts centralised in homesteads that they live in as a means to maintain control of their environment.

How social obligations keep the sexes separate

Within these clusters, the men shouldered the work of constructing the huts, herding livestock, prepping the gardens and growing crops, fishing and presiding over the political structure. They executed these duties in large groups and at determined seasons or hours.

Through these group expeditions, they formed alliances that defended the community against enemy attacks.

The women were assigned housekeeping, preparing meals and rearing children. Since these are not group duties, they tended to have smaller social circles.