Reimagining gender complementarity in African indigenous epistemologies

African indigenous epistemologies offer profound insights into gender relations, emphasising complementarity rather than hierarchy as a foundation for marital fulfilment. Grounded in Africentric communal ontologies, Ubuntu relational philosophy, and African Womanist critiques, this study explores how traditional systems fostered harmonious partnerships through mutual respect and interdependence. Through qualitative analysis of oral traditions, proverbs, and marriage rites, this research examines how ancestral wisdom cultivated marital bliss through shared responsibility. The study highlights modern tensions between these indigenous frameworks and imported individualistic ideologies, advocating for critical fidelity (Diagne, 2016)—revitalising complementary principles while adapting to contemporary realities. Findings demonstrate that counselling models integrating Ubuntu’s relationality and Africentric communal values show considerably higher efficacy in conflict resolution than Western approaches (Ndlovu, 2023). By centering African epistemologies, this work proposes culturally grounded strategies for marital counselling and gender education. It argues that reclaiming indigenous knowledge— when filtered through Womanist decolonial lenses—can strengthen marital resilience, offering viable alternatives to universalist models. Ultimately, the study reaffirms the relevance of Africa’s intellectual heritage in addressing modern relational challenges while promoting sustainable fulfilment

Grounded theory · Indigenous · Individualism · Qualitative research · Traditional knowledge · African cultural and philosophical studies · Cultural Differences and Values · Indigenous Health, Education, and Rights