Some Factors for Cultural and Religious Transformation of Bride Wealth and Their Role on Marriage among the Bukusu

• Author(s): Anne Nekesa Wepukhulu
• Paper ID: 1704019
• Page: 168-180
• Published Date: 20-01-2023
• Published In: Iconic Research And Engineering Journals
• Publisher: IRE Journals
• e-ISSN: 2456-8880
• Volume/Issue: Volume 6 Issue 7 January-2023

Abstract

The practice of bride wealth is one that has persisted for generations among the Bukusu community because of the religious role it had on marriage. Marriage was a clan affair thus every step was taken to ensure the right partner was chosen after which bride wealth was paid as it was compulsory and even the poor were helped to pay bride wealth. It helped to create friendship between the intermarrying families and stabilized marriages as the whole community was involved. However, factors such as colonialism, modernization individualism, urbanization, intermarriages and commercialization have eroded religious and cultural significance the practice was meant to serve. As a result, marriage, marital stability and family relationships have degenerated into abusive marriages, domestic violence, separation and divorce as most men ill-treat women because they paid bride wealth. Bride wealth has become an avenue of acquiring profits other than enhancing the sacred institution of marriage as every woman has a monetary value attached to her based on her education level, social status and type of employment. Moreover, there is a decline in bride wealth in marriage, the institution upon which the Bukusu families, clans and the community are founded upon. Inthis paper we assessed the evolution of beliefs and practices of bride wealth and their role on marriage among the Bukusu. The study findings revealed that the colonization of Kenya interfered with the mixed economy of the Bukusu. The economic policies of colonial government such as taxation, alienation of land, forced labor, squatter system and restriction on cash crop farming reduced the Bukusu to wage laborers hence it became difficult to raise bride wealth. Christian missionaries attacked the bride wealth practice terming it wife purchase. Many fathers took their children to school so that they could fetch them higher amounts of bride wealth. Educated women now prefer well-paying jobs and financial stability than marriage which limits their freedom through payment of bride wealth.

Citations

IRE Journals:
Anne Nekesa Wepukhulu "Some Factors for Cultural and Religious Transformation of Bride Wealth and Their Role on Marriage among the Bukusu" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 6 Issue 7 2023 Page 168-180

IEEE:
Anne Nekesa Wepukhulu "Some Factors for Cultural and Religious Transformation of Bride Wealth and Their Role on Marriage among the Bukusu" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 6(7)