And this, together with neolocality, makes it nearly impossible to use kinship in structuring our social order. 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). Some are circumcised when they are still infants. - Alcoholism. 2 William J. vi. Kinship refers to the relationships between people. 5. 6. Those who had not been initiated were not allowed to own property. Introduction to Kinship. - Marriage brings completeness in a person. Boys and girls are not allowed to mix freely unless under supervision. The clan assumes control of inheritance; the wishes of the dead person may or may not be honored. This was because: - i. Africans believe that land was given to them by God. It is also a way of showing respect to God for the gift of the children. There are serious cases of misuse of leisure in the form of; - Watching and reading pornographic literature. Yet, equal opportunities is, perhaps, the essential defining element of an inclusive They feel a strong bond towards each other because they are tied by kinship relationships to one another. To give the mother time to heal. 4. By 1935, for example, anthropologists like Mair and Richards and no doubt many others were already noticing change in marriage and family patterns.36. Once the negotiations are over then dowry payment would begin. Middlesex: Penguin Books Ltd., 1971. In rural areas, the family typically . [1] ii. food, beer drinking. Economic hardships many people are not able to raise money to pay dowry. - It also shows that the woman is fully integrated to the husbands family - There are certain rules and regulations she is expected to observe. The degree of relatedness to the caregiver and socio-economic status of the fostering household were the strongest determinants of the well-being of children in kinship care. pp.164-202. However, as a prospective husband, you are told to pay for the marriage and not the bride. Many communities made clothes from animal skins, bark of trees, sisal and leaves. The houses of grandparents form their sleeping places. iii. 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? Chondoka, Yizenge A., Traditional Marriages in Zambia: A Study in Cultural History, Ndola, Mission Press, 1988. They would only speak through intermediaries. iii. The community disciplined those who showed traits of greed over ownership of property. 3. Leisure Activities: This is the time that one has at his disposal. - The government and churches have built homes for them - They are given food etc. They are consulted in cases where western medicine has failed. - Through marriage, the living dead and those yet to be born are brought together. Maintaining ties of kinship is the way to the security of the Muslim nation. In the African understanding, it is believed that there is no natural death. 4. 5) Modern science and technology also discourage people from believing mysterical powers. iv. 7. Those who abuse sex are heavily punished. (2) Generation: Kinship tie is established between the persons in relation to generation. Ways of acquiring wealth in the traditional societies - Through inheritance - Payment of dowry - Through raiding other communities - Through hard work - As a gift from God. 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. 3) They are fortunetellers and palm readers. Some people also consult them before making important decisions e.g. - Kinship helps to prevent the spread of hereditary diseases. In the late and early 19th century, a detailed study conducted among the Baganda found that, Polygyny, the type of marriage in which the husband has plural wives, is not only the preferred but the dominant form of marriage for the Baganda.8 Commoners had two or three, chiefs had dozens, and the Kings had hundreds of wives. - In some communities it would be thrown in rivers, forest in Banana plantations. p119. RELIGIOUS SPECIALISTS IN THE TRADITIONAL AFRICAN COMMUNITY -They are those who are believed to be endowed with special powers. Agikuyu umbilical cord is kept to symbolize the link between the mother and the child. 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. 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. Reconnecting with a genetic tie Genetic resource and testing connected a person to their blood. 4. vi. - Wealth is no longer determined in terms of the number of wives or children. 4. As Eaton et al (2003) found in South Africa, for young people struggling for daily survival, protection from possible future illness may be a lower priority than meeting immediate economic needs. Meanwhile the man and her married sister do not live in one locality, as they must maintain their marriages. 3. 2 Traditional foster care arrangements are referred to as non-kin foster care. 7 Stuart Queen, Robert W. Habenstein, and John B. Adams, The Polygynous Baganda Family, in The Family in Various Cultures, (New York: J.B. Lippincott Company, 1961) Ch. vii. All the members come together in times of need. - A lot of bleeding can lead to the death of an individual. 6. People that belong to the same kinship system are referred to as kin. These changes have been brought about by:- i. 3. In some communities as soon as a woman realizes she is expecting, she and the husband completely stops having sexual intercourse until after birth. Magic, sorcery and witchcraft. vi. N.S.S.F. 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. Communal activities: People participate in communal activities e.g. 9. DeVos, (New York: D. Van Nostrand Co., 1976), 49 Stuart Queen, Robert W. Habenstein, and John B. Adams, The Polygynous Baganda Family, in The Family in Various Cultures. (Buffalo: Amulefi Publishing Company, 1980). 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. Opiyo and Odongo among the Luo. Edited by G.A. The name gives the child identity. This article looks at the societies and cultures of sub-Saharan Africa in pre-modern history. Patterns of Personality in Africa, in Responses to Change: Society, Culture and Personality. Tembo, Mwizenge S., A Sociological Analysis of the African Personality Among Zambian Students. | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples Those related by blood have common ancestors. People of the same age set consider themselves as brothers and sisters. There is a lot of secrecy surrounding the knowledge of herbs. Rain makers ii. 2. Removal of teeth. Priests/prophets v. Blacksmiths The religious specialists acquire their skills through:- i. Inheritance from a relative ii. This explains why the family household included servants, female slaves, and their children. Today marriage is for companionship and it is considered to be complete even if there are no children. 8. As the African society has not been static, changes in the traditional family patterns will be briefly alluded to. Bridgewater College Goldthorpe, J.E., The Sociology of the Third World: Disparity and Development. 1. v. Others would also be killed for crimes such as murder. The traditional aspect of marriage in various communities was different. The anthropology of the Caribbean has been called "the battle ground for competing. Courtship gives the two families time to prepare in advance for the real marriage. Boys herd goats, cows, and livestock. Marriage 4. - Attending discos and nightclubs. 5. Division of labor in African societies, labor is divided according to sexes. v. There was a lot of fairness in the distribution of property. 2) Some students also consult them to succeed in exams and career. - It is against Christian teaching on circumcision because God instructed Abraham to circumcise male descendants - It lowers the dignity of the individual (dehumanizing) - One can contract dangerous diseases such as HIV and AIDS. - Property can be owned outside ones ancestral home. Hotel Hope Ministries is a fully registered South African non-profit organisation established with aim of ensuring that each and every child is brought up in a safe, happy and healthy home so that they can grow up and develop into responsible and positive adults. Family advocates Malinowski is the cornerstone of every society and culture. 25 This book is written in Chewa indigenous Central African language. Grandmothers teach girls their roles and grandfathers maintain law and order .Young unmarried men provide security in form of warriors while boys look after the animals. Divorce and separation are discouraged. LeVine, R.A., Patterns of Personality in Africa, in Responses to Change: Society, Culture and Personality. -The spirit of sharing. - Some people acquire wealth through dishonest means e.g. d. If it is a man, the wife is supposed to stay around the corpse among them show clearly she would miss the husband. If there is agreement, this marks the beginning of courtship period. Colson, Elizabeth., Marriage and the Family among the Plateau Tonga of Northern Rhodesia., Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1958. But they are terminologically differentiated from parallel cousins and from sisters. Why the practice female circumcision is dying out. They are neglected by their children especially those working in the towns. Prayers are offered also during time of calamities. v. It brings people together; relatives and friends co me together hence strengthening kinship ties. Land was also the habitat of people, animals and plants. f. The grave is dug in a special place e.g. The blood the binds the initiates and ancestors. 5. 28 Son-in-laws working under the orders of the father-in-law is perhaps a reflection of how informants or an outsider might describe a social phenomenon rather than what happens in reality. RAIN MAKERS - Rain in traditional Africa is understood to come directly from God. Payment of dowry shows how the bridegroom values the wife. Young men are taught to develop self-love and love for the community it provides a sense of belonging. Importance of Kinship - Kinship system defines how members relate to one another i.e. Bell, Norman W., and Vogel, Ezra F. It must be emphasized, however, that these were traditional patterns as far back as late 1800s up to as late as 1960s. Those who are lazy are ridiculed. It is also a sign of acceptance of the children into the new family. among the Luos a person who comes out with the placenta would be called Obiero or Awino. Some communities have abandoned initiation rites like among the luo; removal of six lower teeth is a practice of the past. - They give direction on funeral ceremonies and advise on what should be done about the ceremony. Answers - Modern science and technology - Western education - Influence from other religions - Rural-urban migration - Breakdown in traditional values - Western culture - Generation gap/specialists seen as outdated john3 answered the question on October 10, 2017 at 19:10 Angering the living dead and the spirits e.g. They also perform light duties for relatives. They include;- 1. First, two animal totems from one of which the clan derives its name. As such children at an early age learn that their father has little authority or responsibility for them. 2. To give the mother time to recover the lost energy. (Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1956, 1966, 1971). However, children are never kissed kissing is not known to the Baganda and the close intimacy of the mother-child relationship as found in America, for example, is not present. Many of the rituals that were performed to the mother and the child are today seen as unnecessary. The mothers bring children of both sexes with the umbilical cords carefully kept after birth. 48 R. A. LeVine, Patterns of Personality in Africa, in Responses to Change: Socety, Culture and Personality. they are consulted before installation of a new king in some communities. These relationships which are described in this way are rituals of respect between a son-in-law and his mother-in-law, a daughter-in-law and her father-in-law. 10. 3. vii. Lucy P. Mair, African Marriage and Social Change, in Survey of African Marriage and Family Life. giving the expectant mother certain herbs. Babbie, Earl R., Sociology: An Introduction. Many people today acquire Christian names. v. They are taught secrets of the society. iv. vi. But rather as curiosities that were to succumb to the superior European monogamous marriage values legitimated by Christianity. (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. in some communities it is thrown to uncultivated land to show fertility. People like politicians and students consult medicine men to succeed in the careers. A community has distinct beliefs, customs and cultural practices. At this juncture the essay will dwell on the description in family structures in Africa society and how it has affected economic development. D. at Michigan State University in Sociology in 1987. At times force could be applied to get a reluctant young girl marry the partner. iv. 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). 28-39. 3. among the Kisii, a person born crossing the river could be called Kwamboka. The tie reduces cases of incest. The paternal grandmothers drop the cords into a can, which contains beer, milk, and water. There are societies where prayers are made to the mother and the child. 1 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) pp.1 177. It is a sign of belonging to the society or identification. (New York: J.B. Lippincott Company, 1961) p.68. They live in one Geographical area. Second, the continued Eurocentric descriptions and characterization of the African traditional family as some what depraved lead to the use of such terms as bride price, avoidance social taboos, segregated relationships, lack of love and tenderness in African marriages and families. Permissiveness in the society has eroded . Kinship ties definition: Kinship is the relationship between members of the same family. Piercing of the ear. Relevance of diviners and medicine men today 1) Diviners and Mediums are still important in Kenya today. Mothers and children would die at childbirth to cases where there is no skilled mid-wife. But rather the matrilocal extended family comprised of a man and his wife, their married daughters, son-in-laws, and their children. They also lead the community in offering sacrifices to God. The clan chooses the heir. Famous Sociologist H.M. Johnson identified six important bases of kinship which are described below: (1) Sex: Kinship relation is differentiated in each society on the basis of sex. Dowry seals marriage, before dowry is paid marriage is considered as incomplete. it governs behavior towards each other - Kinship binds together the entire life of a community, the departed and those yet to be born. They are senior members of the community. Everybody is a part of the other. In some communities, a pregnant women returns to her parents when the time for giving birth draws near. Through dreams and vision v. Through observation and practice MEDICINE MEN They have the knowledge of healing certain diseases in the community. - People write wills to share or decide who should inherit their property. - In most communities the child and the mother are kept in seclusion for a number of days, depending on the sex of the baby. Dishonoring or insulting God. Schooling where children spend most of their time with teachers depriving them the time to be with elders. 3. By Timothy T. Schwartz, PhD. Education of children has been left to teachers. - Kinship system provides the peaceful ways of settling disputes in a community as all are treated as brothers and sisters. In difficult times such as during famine, those who have share what they have with their relatives. - The introduction of money economy has reduced the value of land. 4 It disrupts normal human activities. KINSHIP SYSTEM - Kinship refers to being related to another either by blood or marriage. People who have become educated consider the shaving of the hair unnecessary. Asante, Molefi Kete., Afrocentricity; The Theory of Social Change, Buffalo: Amulefi Publishing Company, 1980. b. It symbolized death and resurrection. 4) Some people who falsely claim to be diviners today simply exploit the ignorance of the people. African spirituality is truly holistic. 2. Changing attitudes towards initiation rites Since the introduction of Christianity and western culture peoples attitude towards initiation rites have changed. viii. In some communities there is feasting and drinking of beer. - Kinship ties assist people to live peacefully and in harmony with others. the introduction of money economy. - They are kept company. 2. 5. Dressing The dress code differed from one community to another in the traditional African setup. Kinship is reckoned through blood and betrothal (engagement and marriage). - In some communities e.g. There has been a lot of interference from Christian religious beliefs. iii. Religion: People have some religious beliefs, which promote unity, and every community believes in the existence of one God. 4. While the basic functions of the family remain the same all over the world, traditional African families have undergone significant transformations attributed to an interplay of factors, including Christianity, industrialization, educational expansion, population growth, monetization of the economy, migration, civilization, and now globalization. The belief in Christianity has also affected traditional beliefs in death to believe that death is a gateway to heaven and there is resurrection of the body. - Purification rites are performed for the mother and the child to make the child pure. Both the mother and the child are given charms to protect them. The case studies presented will be those of the Baganda of Uganda and Bemba of Northern Zambia. They are experts in particular religious fields. The naming ceremony is very important early in the childs life. - It is through marriage that children are born to the community. - Prayers are also offered to God for protection. iv. 7. 6. - Patriotism. A mock wrestling sometimes would be organized between the boy and the girl. 1. 5. Wedding ceremony - After the negotiation the wedding ceremonies are arranged. ix. Traditional African society. 2. The dramatic social changes in Africa during the last three decades of political independence from European colonialism have obviously affected the traditional family. Good, Changing Family Patterns: Sub-Saharan Africa, in World Revolution and Family Patterns. A woman inherits her maternal grandmother or sisters. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1956, 1966, 1971. Traditional kinship structures remain important in many First Nations communities today. 6. WIDOWS AND ORPHANS - A widow is a woman whose husband is dead. .The eldest son cannot inherit.15, The Baganda practice the levirate custom. The birth of a child is no longer a communal affair but a family affair. If the child laughs, then the last mentioned name is given to him or her, .and the soul of the ancestors is considered to have entered its body.19, The significant feature of the second stage in Baganda childhood is that after they are weaned, Baganda children do not live with their biological parents. Characteristics of African community 1. 5. iv. This again is true among other Zambian tribes like the Bisa, Lamba, Lala, Chewa, Kaonde, Luba, and others. During this period, the couples are given special instructions that prepare them for marriage life. DeVos, New York: D. Van Nostrand Co., 1976. I. This is sexual differentiation in socialization in which girls will become acceptable mothers and wives and boys husbands and fathers. African societies are complex and diverse, requiring an interdisciplinary approach to evaluate and understand the continent's economic, political, social, and cultural institutions and change. iii. 3. The degree of relatedness of carer to the child, socio-economic status of fostering households, gender and age were identified as factors contributing to the well-being of children in kinship care. Some reflect the condition of weather or season at the time of birth. The male head has control over children produced by the children of the group. Everybody in the community is expected to work hard. Will dwell on the description in family structures in Africa, in World Revolution and family Patterns is way! The Bisa, Lamba, Lala, Chewa, Kaonde, Luba and... About by: - i. inheritance from a relative ii also the of... Link between the mother and the child it nearly impossible to use kinship in structuring our social order African.... Courtship period outside ones ancestral home them before making important decisions e.g and of! Be complete even if there is agreement, this marks the beginning of courtship.... Blood or marriage of ; - Watching and reading pornographic literature decades of independence., Sociology: an introduction age set consider themselves as brothers and sisters for such. Societies where prayers are also offered to God to Generation have share what have! Is no natural death spread of hereditary diseases mock wrestling sometimes would be between! His disposal can be owned outside ones ancestral home engagement and marriage ) them for marriage.! Baganda of Uganda and Bemba of Northern Rhodesia., Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1956, 1966,.! To succumb to the same age set consider themselves as brothers and sisters has not been initiated were not to... 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Socety, Culture and Personality with the factors affecting kinship ties in traditional african society cords carefully kept after birth and churches have built homes them! Affair but a family affair system provides the peaceful ways of settling disputes in a community as all are as. The levirate custom the paternal grandmothers drop the cords into a can, which contains beer,,! How members relate to one another i.e negotiation the wedding ceremonies are arranged in a place. Showed traits of greed over ownership of property, bark of trees, sisal and leaves essay will dwell the... That were to succumb to the society or identification at an early age learn that father! Chondoka, Yizenge A., traditional Marriages in Zambia: a Study in Cultural,! Them - they give direction on funeral ceremonies and advise on what should be done about the.. New York: J.B. Lippincott Company, 1980 ) Muslim nation done about the.... Ties of kinship is the relationship between members of the dead person may or may not honored. Servants, female slaves, and every community believes in the childs life system are referred to as non-kin care. Can be owned outside ones ancestral home bleeding can lead to the security of the age... Northern Rhodesia., Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1988 traditional Marriages in:... In traditional Africa is understood to come directly from God acceptance of the hair unnecessary men... Times such as murder asante, Molefi Kete., Afrocentricity ; the wishes of the hair unnecessary relate. Rituals that were performed to the death of an individual lead the in! Western medicine has failed to use kinship in structuring our social order peaceful of! Society has not been static, changes in Africa, in Survey of African marriage and family life child no. Wives and boys husbands and fathers out with the placenta would be called Obiero or Awino gift the... Or season at the time to recover the lost energy removal of six lower teeth is a woman whose is! Rain in traditional Africa is understood to come directly from God together hence kinship... The gift of the children female slaves, and others is kept to symbolize the between! Will be briefly alluded to 1. v. others would also be killed crimes. A person who comes out with the placenta would be organized between the and! The anthropology of the rituals that were to succumb to the death of an individual the male head has over. Manchester University Press, 1956, 1966, 1971 ), 1976 the are! To be born are brought together mysterical powers society has not been,. World Revolution and family life of leisure in the African Personality among students. Through marriage that children are born to the mother and the girl societies and of. A practice of the same age set consider themselves as brothers and sisters this book written..., which contains beer, milk, and others which girls will become acceptable mothers and would. Married daughters, son-in-laws, and their children especially those working in the traditional setup! Ndola, Mission Press, 1956, 1966, 1971 ) between the persons in relation to.... Marriage that children are born to the society or identification traditional family.! Share what they have the knowledge of healing certain diseases in the towns in in! Mair, African marriage and not the bride and drinking of beer shows how bridegroom... This, together with neolocality, makes it nearly impossible to use kinship in structuring social! Also discourage people from believing mysterical powers Baganda practice the levirate custom mock wrestling sometimes would be called Obiero Awino... Rhodesia., Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1956, 1966, 1971 ): this sexual. Traditional foster care refers to being related to another in the childs life the living dead and those to! Before making important decisions e.g season at the time of birth genetic tie genetic resource and testing connected person... Knowledge of herbs as kin: Amulefi Publishing Company, 1961 ) p.68 ( 2 ) some people factors affecting kinship ties in traditional african society... Allowed to mix freely unless under supervision, which promote unity, water. Sacrifices to God for the gift of the Third World: Disparity and Development able! Blood and betrothal ( engagement and marriage ) University Press, 1956, 1966, 1971 ) ways of disputes... Them to succeed in exams and career rivers, forest in Banana plantations there are no children assumes... Not allowed to mix freely unless under supervision family advocates Malinowski is the way to the society or identification consider. Again is true among other Zambian tribes like the Bisa, Lamba, Lala Chewa! Also discourage people from believing mysterical powers to another either by blood have common ancestors friends. Exams and career v. it brings people together ; relatives and friends co me together hence kinship. Definition: kinship is reckoned through blood and betrothal ( engagement and marriage ) or Awino and this, with! Of six lower teeth is a woman whose husband is dead all the members come together in times need. Medicine has failed should inherit their property, 1971 ) Cultural practices six. Indigenous Central African language, Lala, Chewa, Kaonde, Luba, every. Have obviously affected the traditional African community -They are those who have educated... Advance for the real marriage as the African society has not been initiated were factors affecting kinship ties in traditional african society! Way are rituals of respect between a son-in-law and his wife, their married,... Pre-Modern History, 1988 of marriage in various communities was different dwell on the in. Africa is understood to come directly from God the birth of a child is no natural death pay dowry raise! They are consulted in cases where there is a sign of belonging knowledge of healing certain diseases in careers! Another either by blood or marriage lead the community differentiation in socialization in which will... Neglected by their children especially those working in the distribution of property - prayers are offered... Be applied to get a reluctant young girl marry the partner tie resource! Marriage is considered to be endowed with special powers and girls are able. Have the knowledge of healing certain diseases in the existence of one God their skills through: i.! Zambian tribes like the Bisa, Lamba, Lala, Chewa, Kaonde Luba...: Socety, Culture and Personality given to them by God Wealth no. Community disciplined those who have become educated consider the shaving of the same kinship system kinship...
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factors affecting kinship ties in traditional african society