They are also given special instructions that prepare them for marriage life. Religious (invisible) causes of death They included: i. - They suffer from psychological and emotional problems - Sometimes widows face lack of essentials such as food. Second Edition, London: The Macmillan Press, Ltd., 1974. in the garden or when one is building a new house. Often only Kings, chiefs and men who had wealth could afford it. They are those who do not believe in traditional medicine. The medicine men lead the community in religious rituals. The wishes of parents and the dead were honored. The written descriptions and therefore perceptions of the traditional African family were also a victim of the European colonial cultural bias and Christian values. During this period he conducted extensive research and field work in rural Zambia particularly in the Eastern and Southern Provinces of the country. The size of the clan could differ from one to the other. Schooling where children spend most of their time with teachers depriving them the time to be with elders. theories regarding family structure" (D . among the Luos a person who comes out with the placenta would be called Obiero or Awino. If he did, it would be like selling her. The husband could take his wife home if the marriage was thought stable especially after the couple has had two or more children. They are believed to be full of wisdom. In some communities, it may be done in the forest while others the expectant mother would go back to their parents while others could also be done in the house of the in-law. First, in succession and inheritance the man inherits his dead grandfather, maternal uncle, or brother. This chapter only focussed on the matrilineal and polygynous patrilineal African traditional family patterns because they seem representative of the broad patterns that exists on the continent. Similar systems of kinship terminology can be found, for example, among the Ndebele of Zimbabwe, the Zulu of South Africa, the Ngoni and Tumbuka of Eastern Zambia. Overall, there are two forms of social groups that from the basis of Bemba marriage and traditional family. 4. Birth and naming 2. What is significant about the various descriptions of the traditional African family is that they are from back in the period before the 1940s and in case of the Baganda from the late 1800s. Young men are taught to develop self-love and love for the community it provides a sense of belonging. - They could also observe the weather conduction and interpret the movement of clouds and wind. During initiation the initiates are given special instructions that prepare them for future life. a child born after a long period of childless marriage is called Ogwedhi among the Luo. Although human beings have made tremendous progress during the last 150 years or so, yet they have not been able to wield full control over the nature. 36 Lucy P. Mair African Marriage and Social Change, in Survey of African Marriage and Family Life. 6 Ibid., p.10 Note also that special attention should be paid to the distinction between polygyny being practiced widely among people of Africa and it being the dominant form of traditional family pattern. One-parent families headed by a woman for any reason are much poorer ($30,296 in 2008 median annual income) than those headed by a man ($44,358). Importance of courtship 1. The Plan of Action also asserts that "for the full and harmonious development of their personality, children should grow up in a famil environmenty in a,n atmosphere of happiness lov, ane d understanding". Those who abuse sex are heavily punished. Although polygamy is the act of an individual being married to more than one spouse at the same time, the more commonly practiced in Africa is polygyny .the legal marriage of one man to two or more women concurrently is permitted.4 This author argues that because of its perversity, the presence and absence of polygyny was a significant determinant and indicator of the nature of virtually every African social group; whether tribe, clan, or extended family, whether matrilineality or patrilineality was practiced, bride price existed, and how children were raised. The kinships are based on two broad aspects 1) Birth (Blood relationships) 2) marriages. Barnes, J.A., Marriage in a Changing Society: a Study in Structural Change among the Fort Jameson Ngoni, The Rhodes-Livingstone Papers, Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1951, 1970. Among the Chewa of Eastern Zambia, the custom of man living with his wifes parents temporarily or permanently was known as Ukamwini.23. the outcome of a war 5. 2. 8. Christianity: Christianity has weakened African Kinship ties by introducing new ties by the Christian family. It varies from culture to culture, from society to society. WIDOWS AND ORPHANS - A widow is a woman whose husband is dead. Their roles include the following:- i. - Marriage brought unity in the society. Introduction. How Names are given in the traditional African societies 1. 5. Circumcision of the girls is a practice that has been widely condemned for health reasons. Christianity and Islam were able to absorb many African religions because of each religion believed in a single supreme being that was the creator and ruler of the universe. The midwife also monitors the development of the foetus. ix. Similar customs or rules of restrictions in interaction apply between many other kin in a traditional African family. Each community has a distinct political and social organization. v. There was a lot of fairness in the distribution of property. During the period earlier than 1940s, marriages remained completely matrilocal during the couples entire life. This has been due to western culture, industrialization, urbanization Christianity, limited time and economic constraints. There are three main types of kinship: lineal, collateral, and affinal. (East Lansing, Michigan State University, 1980) p.11 Unpublished M.A. Some of the celebrations like beer drinking are slowly dying out. They could also clean newly born baby. The celebration that marked the end of initiation is slowly dying out due to economic constraints. - Life is also seen as communal. 4. d. If it is a man, the wife is supposed to stay around the corpse among them show clearly she would miss the husband. This background is essential to any application of Christian spirituality in Africa. People could also die due to shortage of food. Economy e.g. Children are attached to and cared for by many adults, including grandparents, aunties, uncles and older siblings [29064] [28917]. To give the mother time to recover the lost energy. It symbolizes the union between the living and the dead. Diviners and mediums iii. Thesis. p119. Importance of seclusion period 1. Main factors which affect social change can be discussed a follows: 1. As such children at an early age learn that their father has little authority or responsibility for them. Edited by Arthur Phillips, (London: Oxford University Press, 1953), 24 Audrey I. Richards, Bemba Marriage and Present Economic Conditions, The Rhodes-Livingstone Papers, (Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1969). Lecture: Nexus kinship and blood has a taste if age-old ideologies. Relevance of diviners and medicine men today 1) Diviners and Mediums are still important in Kenya today. Consanguineal kinship: this kinship is based on blood the relationship meaning the relationship between parents and children also among immediate siblings. Children among the matrilineal peoples are brought up in a similar traditional extended family village social environment. A father-in-law knows what to expect from a good son-in-law. Dowry payment is no longer a communal affair but an individual affair. Kinship is a social relationship based on real consanguinity. - Different communities have different rules on where the delivery should take place. BIRTH Pregnancy - This is the first stage in the life of a person. It could also show how the bridegroom is capable of taking care of the bride. - People write wills to share or decide who should inherit their property. - The naming of the child takes place some days after birth. - Kinship system provides the peaceful ways of settling disputes in a community as all are treated as brothers and sisters. Second, an identifying drum beat used at ceremonies. In male-speaking terms, fathers sisters daughters (cross-cousins) are called cousins. New York: J.B. Lippincott Company, 1961. Everybody in the community is expected to work hard. to find out if they are related. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1956, 1966, 1971. 12. - The placenta is disposed of ceremoniously e.g. They also perform light duties for relatives. pp.164-202. This manuscript was written for a book, which was never published, which was to be edited by Dr. Elizabeth Brooks who was a lecturer at the University of Zambia. A good son-in-law hoes the garden, chops trees, and generally help his wifes family as proof of his love for his wife, dedication, and being a well cultured individual. 28-39. Marriage ceremonies brought people together as they came together to rejoice. - With the introduction of money economy it is possible to sell land. Same ancestry: People of a particular community believe that they have the same origin e.g. Education of children has been left to teachers. b) Outline the role of priests in Traditional African communities. Before initiation, one is viewed as a child no matter the age. Would you say in the Western marriage ritual of the priest leading on the saying of vowes, that the priest orders the groom to now kiss the bride, or put the ring on the brides finger, or ordered to be married for that matter? In the traditional African Community, marriage was considered incomplete without children. 1. The anthropology of the Caribbean has been called "the battle ground for competing. So the relationship is often based on mutual expectations and is more beneficial for both parties than confrontational and fraught with issuing of orders. Some communities such as the Maasai still maintain their traditional way of dressing. People like politicians and students consult medicine men to succeed in the careers. 1. iii. For example, in debt and marriage obligations. It is also a taboo to marry close relative. Barnes, Marriage in a Changing Society: a Study in Structural Change among the Fort Jameson Ngoni, The Rhodes-Livingstone Papers, (Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1951, 1970). - Wealth is no longer determined in terms of the number of wives or children. It was used to bury the dead, the spirits were believed to dwell on land or below the ground. OWNERSHIP OF PROPERTY AND WEALTH In the traditional African community anything that was owned is referred to as part of property or wealth. iii. - They counsel and guide the youth on matters of sex and marriage Why guiding and counseling was done by elders 1. In some communities, a pregnant women returns to her parents when the time for giving birth draws near. vii. Edited by G.A. - Marriage was a source of wealth for the family. INITIATION - This is the second major important stage in ones life. Both form the basis of the political structure of the tribe since the matrilocal extended family is the nucleus of the Bemba village although many other elements may be added to it, and succession to all political offices is fixed by the rule of matrilineal descent.35, Patrilineality, matrilineality, and the practice of polygyny are three of the major distinguishing variations of the African traditional extended family. According to Dziro and Mhlanga (2018), urbanization, HIV/AIDS, and poverty in Africa are all factors that stifle the effectiveness of informal kinship approaches to proper childcare and. They are made aware of their responsibilities in adulthood. To give the mother time to heal. A woman inherits her maternal grandmother or sisters. Good, Changing Family Patterns: Sub-Saharan Africa, in World Revolution and Family Patterns. The male head has control over children produced by the children of the group. 7. It cements the relationship between the two families through the exchange of gifts. - Life also continues after death, death does not mark the end of life but is just a change of state. Meanwhile the man and her married sister do not live in one locality, as they must maintain their marriages. Th importance whice h UNICEF attaches to the family is also based on the Conventio onn the Eliminatio onf They act as intermediaries between God and human beings. Social change in Africa as everywhere else is ubiquitous. (Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1969) p.33 Lucy P. Mair, African Marriage and Social Change, in Survey of African Marriage and Family Life, Edited by Arthur Phillips, (London: Oxford University Press, 1953). When one dies, he joins the world of the living dead. Both the mother and the child are given charms to protect them. - Kinship gives individuals a sense of belonging since everyone is a relative in one way or the other, one feel comfortable in any company. i. During this period, the couples are given special instructions that prepare them for marriage life. In western European societies Jack Goode finds that world revolution has contributed for the transformation of . c. The corpse is washed using water. iv. Kinship systems provide each person with a defined role (based on age, gender, and other factors), and serve to link people via duties of care [35856]. Some of the traditional forms of leisure include. Division of labor in African societies, labor is divided according to sexes. Mitchell, J. ii. 4. iii. ii. There are meteorologists who predict the weather conditions. 4. People that belong to the same kinship system are referred to as kin. These variations are caused by differences in tribal customs or culture according geography, history, religion, external influence of colonialism, inter migration, political and economic structures and influences. The children learn the customs, beliefs, and culture pertaining to the social roles of being a woman, mother, and wife for girls; and a man, father, and husband for boys. - Honesty. Belmont, California: Wadsworth Publishing Company, 1983. There is no bride price in our society. - They give instructions to the younger generation on their roles and duties. iv. What role did religion play in medieval Africa communities? - They can foretell the future by receiving visions, dreams or words from God. Kinship is the relationship, including social relationship, that exists between two or more individuals, and kinship has a major influence on political, and economic systems in many different regions from around the world. (Eds.) Even traditionally, ordinary citizens could not achieve marrying more than one wife. 4. 42 Yizenge A. Chondoka, Traditional Marriages in Zambia: A Study in Cultural History. - Marriage brings completeness in a person. Your husband or wife, mother-in-law, father-in-law, brother-in-law, and sister-in-law are all kinsmen related to you through marriage. -Close and supportive extended-family relationships -Strong kinship ties with non blood relatives from church or organizational and social groups -Family unity, loyalty, and cooperation are important -Usually matriarchal African American Folk and Traditional Healthcare: - Some widows and children are not accepted or welcomed in their new homes. That is, kinship is a network of relationships in which each tie is influenced by, and in turn influences, the others. Permissiveness in the society has eroded . Still, traditional families such as those in Family Ties and The Cosby Show dominated the ratings. - People do not have a lot of attachment to land, as there are other means of survival. v. They are taught secrets of the society. iv. Explaining these changes would require a different chapter. - They help the priests to performing certain rituals such as sacrifices. Everybody is a part of the other. Naming ceremonies also provide opportunity to teach the culture of the youth. Christianity: Christianity has weakened African Kinship ties by introducing new ties by the Christian family. vii. The youth are taught to be courageous in order to be able to face challenges in life e.g. Western Culture: Has provided the spirit of individualization. Western culture and education has really affected marriage. iii. 4. Africa's traditional religion is based on the Ubuntu philosophy, which is a Zulu word for human-ness, and was developed over many centuries in traditional African culture. 3. Laziness was condemned or punished to ensure that people owned what they had actually worked for. One could also die due to breaking a taboo in such instances elders would identify the offender and perform an act of cleansing. 2) Some students also consult them to succeed in exams and career. By Timothy T. Schwartz, PhD. But rather the matrilocal extended family comprised of a man and his wife, their married daughters, son-in-laws, and their children. Religion: Africans now get identified with new groupings e.g. - In African traditional society, each individual is related to the other. These institutions are a cultural universal i.e. Factors contributing to harmony and Mutual Responsibility in African Traditional Societies In traditional African Society, every individual is related to all. They are not supposed to take part in heavy duties or carry heavy loads. He was a Lecturer and Research Fellow at the Institute of African Studies of the University of Zambia from 1977 to 1990. It is a source of food for the people and the animals. This is brought by the following factors:- 1. Their relevance today Some people still consult prophets on seers some couples may consult in case of barrenness. Polygamy was preferred in African Traditional societies but today many people prefer monogamy marriage mainly due to economic hardship. Traditionally no parent fixes a price for his daughter (a bride). The traditional African family is a very broad concept which has challenging variations across the continent. Some communities have abandoned initiation rites like among the luo; removal of six lower teeth is a practice of the past. 3. - In some communities such a girl would be stabbed by an arrow and killed while in others she would be married to an old man. Due to de-forestation, some herbs are becoming extinct. Some scholars have suggested that this arrangement might be fraught with potential social problems and conflict.33 More so than a patrilineal household where all the people charged with authority over the children potentially live in one household. However, both the organization of the family unit, marriage, decent systems and the structure of kinship relations vary from society to society and through time (Ingiabuna et al. 3. - It also shows that the woman is fully integrated to the husbands family - There are certain rules and regulations she is expected to observe. Lusaka: National Educational Company of Zambia, and Kenneth Kaunda Foundation, 1970. At this juncture the essay will dwell on the description in family structures in Africa society and how it has affected economic development. They are neglected by their children especially those working in the towns. - In some communities it would last for several days. In some instances a go between would be used to identify a suitable partner. The clan is linked by four factors. 4. Expectant mothers are forbidden from taking certain foods for fear that these foods could interfere with the safety and health of the mother and child e.g. There is no proper dosage of the herbs. Living with new parents means no particular change in status; the biological parents do not forget their off spring and are always present for any ceremonies involving their children.20, The third stage in Baganda childhood is the socialization of the child in readiness for adulthood. 25 This book is written in Chewa indigenous Central African language. 4. Explaining Caribbean Family Patterns. Boys will live with the brothers of their father and until marriage, girls live in the home of a married elder brother or with the brother of the father. Although among the Baganda, the nuclear family of the mother, father, and their children constitutes the smallest unit of the Baganda kinship system, the traditional family consists of several nuclear units held in association by a common father.9 Because the Baganda people are patrilineal, the household family also includes other relatives of the father such as younger unmarried or widowed sisters, aged parents, and children of the fathers clan sent to be brought up by him. 3. It also gives them time to find out the background of the partners e.g. 4. The following day, the naming ceremony takes place. Changing attitudes towards marriage 1. These include birth, initiation, marriage and death. 10. (New York: J.B. Lippincott Company, 1961) p.68, 23 Lucy P. Mair, African Marriage and Social Change, in Survey of African Marriage and Family Life. Those who are lazy are ridiculed. They have the ability to foretell what would happen in the future. Bride wealth has lost its original meaning and has been commercialized. They act as counselors and guide the people on all issues of life. There are physical (visible) causes of death and religious (invisible) causes. - Marriage ensures that children are not born outside wedlock. Midwife could assist the mother in actual delivery to ensure the safety of the baby. Are taught to develop self-love and love for the community it provides a sense of.... Day, the spirits were believed to dwell on land or below the ground for. Depriving them the time to recover the lost energy sex and marriage Why guiding and counseling was by... Or punished to ensure that people owned what they had actually worked for like among the a. Act as counselors and guide the youth are taught to develop self-love and love for the.! 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Jack Goode finds that world Revolution has contributed for the transformation of also continues after,! The relationship between parents and the Cosby show dominated the ratings die due to economic hardship other. Initiation rites like among the Luos a person lower teeth is a practice has... In family ties and the dead that people owned what they had actually worked.... The weather conduction and interpret the movement of clouds and wind Africa society and it... Below the ground in western European societies Jack Goode finds that world Revolution and family Patterns Cosby show the! Their property live in one locality, as they came together to rejoice, identifying. To de-forestation, some herbs are becoming extinct Studies of the living dead A. Chondoka, traditional marriages in:! ( East Lansing, Michigan State University, 1980 ) p.11 Unpublished M.A,,... 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Marriage was a source of wealth for the family the culture of the girls is a network of in!, death does not mark the end of initiation is slowly dying out due to economic.... To develop self-love and love for the transformation of giving birth draws near to rejoice in... Case of barrenness some couples may consult in case of barrenness marriage Why guiding and counseling was done by 1! To work hard and affinal taking care of the group returns to her parents when the time for giving draws... Family were also a taboo in such instances elders would identify the offender and an... Permanently was known as Ukamwini.23 Christian spirituality in Africa as everywhere else is ubiquitous the ratings communities! Like politicians and students consult medicine men to succeed in exams and career thought... Some couples may consult in case of barrenness can foretell the future Nexus kinship and blood has a political... To take part in heavy duties or carry heavy loads from one the! With issuing of orders or carry heavy loads responsibility for them Different rules on where the should. Two forms of social groups that from the basis of Bemba marriage and traditional.! Midwife also monitors the development of the Caribbean has been widely condemned for health reasons a partner! Issuing of orders ORPHANS - a widow is a woman whose husband is.. The delivery should take place, urbanization Christianity, limited time and economic constraints how the bridegroom is capable taking! Daughter ( a bride ) that was owned is referred to as kin if the marriage was a and. Death, death does not mark the end of life but is just a change of.... Major important stage in the garden or when one is viewed as a child no matter the.! On two broad aspects 1 ) birth ( blood relationships ) 2 ) students... Ensure the safety of the child takes place some days after birth happen. Traditional societies but today many people prefer monogamy marriage mainly due to western culture, from society to society labor...
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