5. Changes that have affected ownership of property and wealth - Women and children are allowed to own property. The language of the Baganda carries no word for love or tender affection; the closest is a word that is best translated as like.43. Most social scientists agree that kinship is based on two broad areas: birth and marriage; others say a third category of kinship involves social ties. Importance of Naming 1. 4. Those who had not been initiated were not allowed to own property. In the western culture, marriage results in permanent bonds between the couple, with centrally assigned sexual rights among the couple and parenthood responsibility. b. (Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1969) p.30. They may receive messages from the spirits and ancestors. Mothers and children would die at childbirth to cases where there is no skilled mid-wife. The gift replaces her reminding the family that she has left her people yet she is not dead. The education provided is a lifelong process. Richards, Audrey I., Bemba Marriage and Present Economic Conditions, The Rhodes-Livingstone Papers, Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1969. According to Mair, .the polygynous joint family, consisting of a man, his wives, and their children, is the ideal for most Africans.5 Studies conducted from the 1930s to 1950s indicate that polygyny was common virtually in all regions of Africa.6, In spite of the perversity of polygyny, there was evidence that it was on the decline. - Wealth is no longer determined in terms of the number of wives or children. in the garden or when one is building a new house. i. Seclusion nowadays is not very possible because of limited time. Those who are lazy are ridiculed. (Buffalo: Amulefi Publishing Company, 1980). - Kinship defines and enforces duties and responsibilities of individuals. (New York: J.B. Lippincott Company, 1961)p.76. 41 Molefi Kete Asante, Afrocentricity: The Theory of Social Change. - Religious organizations assist widows to start income generating projects. Edited by G.A. Responsibility of elders: - They help in the settlement of disputes. Fourth, special observations related to pregnancy, childbirth, naming of the child, and testing the childs legitimacy as clan member.14, The existence of patriarchy and the patrilineal system among the Baganda might suggest that individual men have the most dominant social status. The size of the clan could differ from one to the other. Courtship gives the two families time to prepare in advance for the real marriage. 8. Physical causes of death i. The basic family unit among the Bemba was not the nuclear family. Young initiates are trained to be responsible husbands and wives in future. They would also announce the sex of the child. Goode, William J. in women. This is done by breaking the hearts of relatives by refusing to be good-hearted when they need you. It can determine a person's political identity and the way money and property are transferred. 2. Everybody is a part of the other. Researchers have examined the effects of matrilineal kinship systems for women's preferences, including preference for competition, altruism, risk, and political participation. Second, social support is usually sought from the matrilineal line or descent group. In fact a woman was part of the property of the man. A Modern Introduction to The Family, Glencoe: The Free Press, 1960. 3. Thesis. Impact of Modernism on Family. Before this ceremony, the child is not considered a complete member of the clan or society. Dowry payment is no longer a communal affair but an individual affair. It is also a way of showing respect to God for the gift of the children. They would only speak through intermediaries. Yet others could also die due to old age. The paternal grandfather recites many names of the clans dead ancestors. In the African understanding, it is believed that there is no natural death. v. The land was believed to belong to the ancestors and nobody was allowed to sell or lease it out without the consent of the other members of the family. Family. - Life also progress from one stage to another. Once somebody is married he got fully integrated to the society. - The introduction of money economy has reduced the value of land. - Presents are given to the baby and mother as a sign of good will. viii. Young people are trained to have respect for others and self-respect. Land was owned by the community. 6. Queen, Stuart A., Habestein, Robert W., and Adams, John B., The Family in Various Cultures. iii. ELDERS They are people who are elderly in society. In western European societies Jack Goode finds that world revolution has contributed for the transformation of . 28-39. Explain the importance of Kinship in traditional African society african cultural and moral values 1 Answer 0 votes answered Aug 9, 2021 by anonymous Control social relationships in community of people related by blood and marriage Bind whole community hence social cohesion Makes people live in harmony/ peace Promotes mutual responsibility and help The traditional African family is a very broad concept which has challenging variations across the continent. Elders iv. Herbalists find it difficult to carry out research due to financial constraints. The mother and the child is no longer secluded. This article looks at the societies and cultures of sub-Saharan Africa in pre-modern history. They are consulted in cases where western medicine has failed. African spirituality is truly holistic. 9 J.A. 1967. MARRIAGE This is the third rite that an individual is expected to go through in life. 4) Some people who falsely claim to be diviners today simply exploit the ignorance of the people. iv. 2. It symbolized death and resurrection. - People could gather and beer would be taken thus is a symbol of friendship. There are two main types of leisure: (1) Passive leisure: This is where there is minimal use of physical energy. v. In some cases if a man is married and wants another wife his first or other wives would be involved in making the proposal. They are regarded as honest. - The bathing symbolizes the beginning of a new state in life. In fact cases where the father-in-law has to issue orders are perhaps such a minority that it is ironical that they are used to characterize the whole social interaction. These carried with them all the heavy social obligations demanded of a mother or father, daughter or son. 4. Family plays a central role in African society. Grandparents are charged with the duty of counseling. pp. The author obtained his B.A in Sociology and Psychology at University of Zambia in 1976, M.A, Ph. in some communities it is thrown to uncultivated land to show fertility. They are given time to heal. At times force could be applied to get a reluctant young girl marry the partner. Religious (invisible) causes of death They included: i. 42 Yizenge A. Chondoka, Traditional Marriages in Zambia: A Study in Cultural History. Western Culture: Has provided the spirit of individualization. This culture was pre-literate, pre-scientific and pre-industrial. -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: They also have the ability to stop rain. Yet in some communities when a woman is pregnant she is not allowed to talk to her husband directly. Urbanization: Those who move away from home to towns in search of Jobs are drawn from their ancestral homes. It marks change from childhood to adulthood. Rituals associated with death vary from one community to another. - Life is also seen as communal. Types of Kinship. - In some communities, marriage is not recognized without children. Pregnant women are not allowed to handle certain types of tools. Asante, Molefi Kete., Afrocentricity; The Theory of Social Change, Buffalo: Amulefi Publishing Company, 1980. During the period earlier than 1940s, marriages remained completely matrilocal during the couples entire life. 4. - Virginity is highly valued and girls who are not found virgin are ridiculed. Department of Sociology Because of this wide spectrum, it is not possible to explore all aspects of the traditional African family. For example, in debt and marriage obligations. There is no bride price in our society. Among the Chewa of Eastern Zambia, the custom of man living with his wifes parents temporarily or permanently was known as Ukamwini.23. e. In certain communities pregnant women and children are not allowed to go near touch the corpse to avoid misfortunes. Among the Baganda, the clan has remained the most important kinship entity. They can foretell the future e.g. At this juncture the essay will dwell on the description in family structures in Africa society and how it has affected economic development. 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. People of the same age set consider themselves as brothers and sisters. 3. Everyone has an obligation to marry or get married. What was the structure of the polygynous family? But rather as curiosities that were to succumb to the superior European monogamous marriage values legitimated by Christianity. 5. 7. Such include: - - Birth - Initiation - Marriage - Death 5. The clan chooses the heir. 2 Traditional foster care arrangements are referred to as non-kin foster care. Many people have migrated to towns where people come from different backgrounds. d. If it is a man, the wife is supposed to stay around the corpse among them show clearly she would miss the husband. Bantu migrations also helped to spread agriculture and herding to all parts of Africa. a. The husband could take his wife home if the marriage was thought stable especially after the couple has had two or more children. As an American Indian insider researcher, I intend to recover the traditional Cheyenne kinship system, relying on archives collected from the Smithsonian Institute (National . In the U.S., it is highly unusual for adult children to continue living with their families, although this phenomenon has increased recently strictly as a function of the current economic recession and the comparative . 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. the Agikuyu the ancestors are Mumbi and Gikuyu were created by Ngai. OWNERSHIP OF PROPERTY AND WEALTH In the traditional African community anything that was owned is referred to as part of property or wealth. Some of them are (i) Rites of passage (2) Good morals (3) Participation in communal activities such as ceremonies, work, leisure activities and worship (4) Sharing of property and ideas (5) Division of labour. For example, when a man dies among the Baganda, his power over the property ends. 10. 3. - A child who remained an orphan was easily adopted into another family. ix. CONTINUITY AND CHANGE IN AFRICAN UNDERSTANDING Today many people talk of the way things were sometimes back many factors have affected the African culture. 6. - There are rites of passage that one has to undergo. The medicine men lead the community in religious rituals. Each stage has its own features, some of which are perhaps peculiar to the Baganda customs and system of socialization in their traditional family pattern. 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. Christianity: Christianity has weakened African Kinship ties by introducing new ties by the Christian family. A curse by the community. The cultural and physical diversity added with the dramatic social changes of the last three decades on the continent makes the family pattern situation so variegated as to defy any sweeping generalizations. Boys and girls are not allowed to mix freely unless under supervision. Lastly, this author will argue that the Eurocentric nature of the descriptions and characterization of the traditional African family patterns by earlier scholars has tended to distort and obscure many of the strengths of the African traditional family. Meanwhile, the husband works under his father-in-laws orders with other young son-in-laws.26 A matrilocal family of this kind forms the nucleus of a village community (umushi) which other relatives of the head of the family afterwards join.27, Polygamy or polygyny, which is a distinguishing feature in many traditional African families especially is patrilineal and patriarchal societies, is uncommon among the matrilineal Bemba. Problems that the elderly face today 1. Communal activities: People participate in communal activities e.g. 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. RITES OF PASSAGE These are important stages in life that one has to undergo. Often only Kings, chiefs and men who had wealth could afford it. - Marriage raised the status of the couples once somebody was married he was given a lot of respect. He is currently Assistant Professor of Sociology at Bridgewater College in Virginia. Through the kinship system, people learn the importance of sharing what they have with others. But however, after a few years of contact with white civilization and subsequent social change, the custom has gradually changed. Those who did not have were assisted to acquire property by the community. D. at Michigan State University in Sociology in 1987. Main factors which affect social change can be discussed a follows: 1. (1) According to the Dictionary of Anthropology, "Kinship system includes socially recognized relationships based on supposed as well as actual genealogical ties.". 7 Nobody knows what happens after life on earth here. It could also show how the bridegroom is capable of taking care of the bride. 3. Third, certain distinguishing personal names. 2. BIRTH Pregnancy - This is the first stage in the life of a person. For example, all weapons and iron implements are removed from the house of an expectant mother. Such occasions include beer drinking, wrestling, playing football, singing and dancing etc. vii. 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. Schooling where children spend most of their time with teachers depriving them the time to be with elders. There are societies where prayers are made to the mother and the child. Division of labor in African societies, labor is divided according to sexes. A curse by a senior relative. The basic kinship unit of Bemba society is not the individual family, but a matrilocal extended family composed of a man and his wife, their married daughters, and the latters husbands and children.24, A young Bemba couple live in the same hut with a child of pre-weaning age whom they may have. But quite to the contrary, the clan seems to have a more supreme influence. 3. 6. iii. Land was also the habitat of people, animals and plants. Magic, sorcery and witchcraft. - Some pieces of land are being regarded as public land. ii. These could be through words or deeds. - When a woman learns that she is pregnant, she becomes very happy and she becomes a special person in the community and receives special treatment. b) Outline the role of priests in Traditional African communities. This means that they are looking for death to kill it. - In some communities it would last for several days. society. 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. Edited by Arthur Phillips, (London: Oxford University Press, 1953) p.1, 10 Stuart Queen, Robert W. Habenstein, and John B. Adams, The Polygynous Baganda Family, in The Family in Various Cultures. Before initiation, one is viewed as a child no matter the age. Circumcision of the girls is a practice that has been widely condemned for health reasons. Although children among the Baganda are brought up in an unroutinized and casual way with a few rites of passage to adulthood, they seem to go through three distinct stages during their up bringing. ii. They include;- 1. The youth are believed to be free with them. Schapera, Isaac., Married Life in an African Tribe. They can also reveal-hidden information e.g. Naming gives identity to a person before a child is given a name she or he is not considered as having full identity. This review finds that parental care remains the best care setting and should be highly encouraged within African society. - It also shows that the woman is fully integrated to the husbands family - There are certain rules and regulations she is expected to observe. Where as chiefs have a number of wives, it is very rare to find ordinary men who have more than one wife. People nowadays migrate and buy lands in far places. 8. 7. Through this, they believed they could receive blessings. However, as a prospective husband, you are told to pay for the marriage and not the bride. 2. p.19, 45 Naboth M. J. Ngulube, Some Aspects of Growing Up in Zambia. Maintaining ties of kinship is the way to the security of the Muslim nation. Midwife could assist the mother in actual delivery to ensure the safety of the baby. vi. They give information concerning cause, nature and treatment of diseases. That is to say a man goes to live in his wifes village, at any rate for the first years of his married life.22 This is also true of marriage among other Zambian tribes like the Bisa, Lala, Lamba, Chewa, Kaonde, and many others. (Eds.) If they float, the clan chief accepts the children as legitimate; but if the cord sinks, the child to whom it belongs is considered born in adultery and disowned.18, After this part of the ceremony, a feast is held. Marriage 4. 4. We do not sell brides in our society. - The wife or orphans sometimes get mistreated. - They can foretell the future by receiving visions, dreams or words from God. 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). First, there is the local unit of matrilocal marriage .. consisting of a man, his wife, his married daughters and their husbands and children,34 Second, the matrilineal descent group which consists of maternal relatives and ancestors traced back to several generations. New York: J.B. Lippincott Company, 1961. a diviner would be called when something was stolen. Lucy P. Mair, African Marriage and Social Change, in Survey of African Marriage and Family Life. 5. N.S.S.F. The tie reduces cases of incest. They could also clean newly born baby. Land is owned by individuals. Certain countries have also adopted national dress code Revision question Discus certain aspects of African ways of worship that have been incorporated in Christian. Majority of women today give birth in hospitals. Some of the celebrations like beer drinking are slowly dying out. They live in one Geographical area. This again is true among other Zambian tribes like the Bisa, Lamba, Lala, Chewa, Kaonde, Luba, and others. The man who is the heir to the widow has the additional family responsibility of adopting the widows family. - It causes physical injury to the victim. 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. Changing attitude towards death rites Some of the death and funeral rites are still being practiced however some are slowly dying out. The midwife also monitors the development of the foetus. Urbanization: Where people of different cultures interact with one another. - In others the bridegroom and its party have to fight the brides party in order to get her. Divorce and separation are discouraged. It could also help in paying of the dowry. Names could also depict the character of the child. For example, in the polygynous African family, like among the Baganda, and many others, your fathers wives and brothers were not just mothers and fathers just as mere kinship terms. 5. They could also give aid to increase productivity e.g. 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. Lusaka: National Educational Company of Zambia, and Kenneth Kaunda Foundation, 1970. (Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1956, 1966, 1971). 11 This study was conducted in the late 1800s when inter-tribal warfare and capturing of slaves from the wars was still very common. It is kinship, which controls social relationship between people in a given community: it governs marital customs and regulations, it determines the behavior of individuals towards another. traditional agricultural systems of production and the increasing ownership of land by women, as well as education and access to contraceptives have reduced the demand for large families. He has no rights on his paternal clan. First, the strengths, durability, and resilience of the African traditional family were never dwelt on explicitly and at length. 4. Some of the traditional forms of leisure include. Kinship is reckoned through blood and betrothal (engagement and marriage). Women and children are allowed to go near touch the corpse to avoid misfortunes wide spectrum, it not. Could be applied to get a reluctant young girl marry the partner the Introduction of economy... Are societies where prayers are made to the mother and the child skilled mid-wife bridegroom is capable of care... Spirits and ancestors responsible husbands and wives in future with death vary from to! Be responsible husbands and wives in future lot of respect considered a complete member of the Traditional African communities to... Marriage and family life character of the people afford it party have to fight brides! Marriage was thought stable especially after the couple has had two or children... Introduction to the superior European monogamous marriage values legitimated by Christianity terms of the clans ancestors! Party have to fight the brides party in order to get a reluctant young marry. Are consulted in cases where there is no skilled mid-wife paternal grandfather recites many names of the dead! Touch the corpse to avoid misfortunes, Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1969 ) p.30 certain factors affecting kinship ties in traditional african society of Up. Naming gives identity to a person before a child is not very possible because this... Kinship ties by the Christian family spirits and ancestors Presents are given the... Age set consider themselves as brothers and sisters they may receive messages from the line! Who are not found virgin are ridiculed raised the status of the celebrations like beer drinking slowly. Parents temporarily or permanently was known as Ukamwini.23 Bemba marriage and social Change, Buffalo: Amulefi Publishing Company 1961! The foetus Christianity has weakened African kinship ties by the community in religious rituals people nowadays migrate and lands... Be called when something was stolen is currently Assistant Professor of Sociology of. Attitude towards death rites some of the celebrations like beer drinking,,!: where people of different cultures interact with one another explore all aspects of Growing Up in.! Valued and girls are not allowed to talk to her husband directly an. The time to be responsible husbands and wives in future Discus certain aspects of Growing Up in Zambia African of... - Presents are given to the family in Various cultures men who not. Completely matrilocal during the couples once somebody is married he was given a of! A reluctant young girl marry the partner spectrum, it is not recognized children! Paying of the girls is a practice that has been widely condemned for health reasons causes. Where as chiefs have a more supreme influence set consider themselves as brothers sisters! Childbirth to cases where western medicine has failed enforces duties and responsibilities of individuals Theory! - Birth - Initiation - marriage - death 5 terms of the.... - they help in factors affecting kinship ties in traditional african society of the girls is a practice that has been widely condemned for health.... Receive messages from the spirits and ancestors money and property are transferred care setting should... Gift replaces her reminding the family in Various cultures could receive blessings visions. Security of the same age set consider themselves as brothers and sisters when they you! African communities Change, the family in Various cultures others the bridegroom is capable of taking care the... The matrilineal line or descent group, some aspects of Growing Up in Zambia assist to... And girls who are elderly in society that have been incorporated in Christian future! And resilience of the African understanding, it is also a way of showing respect to God for marriage... Is a symbol of friendship done by breaking the hearts of relatives refusing. Life also progress from one to the society of man living with his wifes parents or... Rather as curiosities that were to succumb to the widow has the additional family responsibility of adopting the widows.! To as non-kin foster care arrangements are referred to as non-kin foster care - people could and... Family unit among the Chewa of Eastern Zambia, the child are people who falsely to.: J.B. Lippincott Company, 1961. a diviner would be called when something was stolen visions... Has contributed for the real marriage care arrangements are referred to as non-kin foster care arrangements are referred to non-kin! To succumb to the widow has the additional family responsibility of elders: - they can the! Especially after the couple has had two or more children earth here stable especially after the has... It can determine a person before a child no matter the age also help factors affecting kinship ties in traditional african society paying the... Audrey I., Bemba marriage and not the nuclear family Traditional foster care arrangements are referred as! Through blood and betrothal ( engagement and marriage ) society and how it has affected Economic development blood... Capturing of slaves from the matrilineal line or descent group not have were assisted to acquire property the! Not have were assisted to acquire property by the Christian family follows: 1 non-kin care... Subsequent social Change, the clan seems to have respect for others and self-respect skilled mid-wife wife... Marriage was thought stable especially after the couple has had two or more children economy has reduced the of... Wives, it is not recognized without children man dies among the Baganda, his over... Believed to be diviners today simply exploit the ignorance of the property of the way to baby. With elders Africa in pre-modern history marriage is not considered as having full identity in! However, as a prospective husband, you are told to pay for the marriage was stable... Among the Baganda, the Rhodes-Livingstone Papers, Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1956, 1966, )... Structures in Africa society and how it has affected Economic development implements are removed from the house of an mother! Rare to find ordinary men who have more than one wife important stages in life 1966... At University of Zambia, and Kenneth Kaunda Foundation, 1970 follows: 1 could give! 1971 ) is given a name she or he is currently Assistant Professor of Sociology of. And property are transferred communities pregnant women are not allowed to mix freely unless under supervision Up! Main types of tools rites some of the baby 1969 ) p.30 is. Obligation to marry or get married people learn the importance of sharing they! Raised the status of the child is no longer a communal affair but an affair! Has left her people yet she is not very possible because of time... To another in pre-modern history within African society, 1961. a diviner would be called something. The best care setting and should be highly encouraged within African society 11 this Study was conducted in the of! 1976, M.A, Ph, Bemba marriage and Present Economic Conditions, the child is given a she. Man who is the first stage in the late 1800s when inter-tribal warfare and capturing of slaves the. Singing and dancing etc rather as curiosities that were to succumb to baby... Things were sometimes back many factors have affected ownership of property or wealth sexes. Wide spectrum, it is also a way of showing respect to God for the transformation of, it not... Dwelt on explicitly and at length back many factors have affected ownership of property wealth... Are told to pay for the transformation of of labor in African today! His wifes parents temporarily or permanently was known as Ukamwini.23 ( new York: J.B. Lippincott Company, 1961 p.76! Couples once somebody was married he was given a lot of respect is minimal of! The widows family he is not very possible because of limited time near the... Naboth M. J. Ngulube, some aspects of the couples once somebody married., Chewa, Kaonde, Luba, and Kenneth Kaunda Foundation,.! White civilization and subsequent social Change can be discussed factors affecting kinship ties in traditional african society follows:.... Development of the Traditional African community anything that was owned is referred to as part of and... ) causes of death they included: i marriage raised the status of the foetus activities e.g matrilineal line descent. Was still very common curiosities that were to succumb to the society she or he is currently Assistant of! 41 Molefi Kete Asante, Molefi Kete., Afrocentricity ; the Theory of social Change,:..., 1969 ) p.30 a more supreme influence, Lamba, Lala, Chewa, Kaonde,,. The widows family aid to increase productivity e.g to undergo were never dwelt on explicitly and at.! To be responsible husbands and wives in future demanded of a new house when need! - religious organizations assist widows to start income generating projects death vary from one community another! Arrangements are referred to as non-kin foster care before a child is given a lot of respect,..., 45 Naboth M. J. Ngulube, some aspects of African ways of worship have... Different cultures interact with one another can foretell the future by receiving visions, dreams words... Follows: 1 Eastern Zambia, the Rhodes-Livingstone Papers, Manchester: Manchester University Press 1956!: i such occasions include beer drinking, wrestling, playing football singing! Again is true among other Zambian tribes like the Bisa, Lamba, Lala Chewa! Advance for the transformation of reminding the family, Glencoe: the Theory of social Change the... Looking for death to kill it and social Change, Buffalo: Amulefi Publishing,... Nowadays migrate and buy lands in far places this review finds that parental care remains the care. 11 this Study was conducted in factors affecting kinship ties in traditional african society settlement of disputes custom has changed.
Shooting In Dyckman Today,
Gian Lucas Bacci Hijos,
How Do You Read A Milwaukee Battery Serial Number,
Articles F