The custom described here of exchanging a shoe to confirm the act of “redemption” is completely unfamiliar to the peoples of Central Africa. Neither an ordinary business transaction nor the practice of marrying the widow of a dead relative would require any such witness or attestation. The word of the elders who made the arrangement would be sufficient. It is possible that in this case the custom could be mistaken for the nearest (but still distant) equivalent, which among the Chewa would be the gift made by a man to the father of the girl whom he desires to marry, i.e., chikole ‘engagement pledge*. There is indeed some correspondence in the respective situations (i.e., a marriage is ultimately concerned), but there are also enough differences in detail to direct readers away from such an interpretation; e.g., the individuals involved, the fact that only one shoe was given (surely a useless gift!), the comments by the original author, etc.

Source: Wendland 1987, p. 182.