Coser, Rose Lamb., (Ed.) Polygyny though set the tone and often determined the strength of the society and pattern of social organization of the traditional African family. (New York: J.B. Lippincott Company, 1961) p.68. To give the mother time to recover the lost energy. It is not possible to gather initiates together in some communities. When one dies, he joins the world of the living dead. - A white bed sheet is spread this is to collect blood during the breaking of virginity. 1. This may be due to urbanization and economic constraints. The permissive society has also encouraged trial marriages. A mock wrestling sometimes would be organized between the boy and the girl. - Some pieces of land are being regarded as public land. pp. Urbanization: Those who move away from home to towns in search of Jobs are drawn from their ancestral homes. - Wife inheritance ensured that the late mans family would not suffer. 42 Yizenge A. Chondoka, Traditional Marriages in Zambia: A Study in Cultural History. They are consulted in cases where western medicine has failed. - They ensure the values and culture of the community is observed. They are free most of them and can get time for the younger generation. The literature on the subject is truly as vast and reflects traditional patterns that are as diverse as the variations of the physical looks of the people found on the continent. - The hair of the mother and the child is shaved. By Timothy T. Schwartz, PhD. If he did, it would be like selling her. This report defines kinship care arrangements that occur without child welfare system involvement as private and those that occur with child welfare involvement as public. Yet, equal opportunities is, perhaps, the essential defining element of an inclusive Some names are given according to the time one was born. It has been widely documented, particularly in Western cultural settings, that women prefer to compete less than men. - They give direction on funeral ceremonies and advise on what should be done about the ceremony. Both the mother and the child are given charms to protect them. This background is essential to any application of Christian spirituality in Africa. The celebration that marked the end of initiation is slowly dying out due to economic constraints. Circumcision is carried out at times in hospitals for health reasons. Clyde., The Yao Village: a Study in the Social Structure of a Malawian Tribe. Urbanization: Where people of different cultures interact with one another. They would only speak through intermediaries. Through dreams and vision v. Through observation and practice MEDICINE MEN They have the knowledge of healing certain diseases in the community. 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. 3. 1. 2. Second Edition, London: The Macmillan Press, Ltd., 1974. - 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. Everybody is a part of the other. 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. It does not give warning. The dramatic social changes in Africa during the last three decades of political independence from European colonialism have obviously affected the traditional family. Some people believe casting of an evil eye would cause bodily harm to somebody. 7 Nobody knows what happens after life on earth here. Diviners also have religious functions and perform duties of priests such as offering of sacrifice. 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. For example, all weapons and iron implements are removed from the house of an expectant mother. - Generosity. Boys and girls are not allowed to mix freely unless under supervision. People like politicians and students consult medicine men to succeed in the careers. 7. 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. Some names are given in the remembrance of the departed relatives. The birth of a child is no longer a communal affair but a family affair. - With the introduction of money economy it is possible to sell land. It is feared and marked with a lot of sorrow. In male-speaking terms, fathers sisters daughters (cross-cousins) are called cousins. Magic, sorcery and witchcraft. Kinship is a cultural system. Bell, Norman W., and Vogel, Ezra F. - When the baby arrives, the sex of the baby is announced by ululations. 1. The continuance of Aboriginal society is dependent on keeping Aboriginal families strong and healthy both physically and culturally. Changing attitude towards death rites Some of the death and funeral rites are still being practiced however some are slowly dying out. 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. 6. it governs behavior towards each other - Kinship binds together the entire life of a community, the departed and those yet to be born. - Rainmakers are special people who have the ability to make rain. iv. 2. iii. However, it is not a form of payment as is mistaken by others. vii. - Marriage brings completeness in a person. Courage is usually praised. In some communities there is feasting and drinking of beer. 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These are many. 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. 5. 4. This shows concern that they have for the child. Culture and values are adaptive .. 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. c) Explain the factors weakening kinship ties among Africa communities. 2. 48 R. A. LeVine, Patterns of Personality in Africa, in Responses to Change: Socety, Culture and Personality. The mother and the child is no longer secluded. Others bury the dead with property with a belief that they would continue to use them in the next world. Among the Chewa of Eastern Zambia, the custom of man living with his wifes parents temporarily or permanently was known as Ukamwini.23. People that belong to the same kinship system are referred to as kin. Why the practice female circumcision is dying out. Edited by Arthur Phillips, London: Oxford University Press, 1953. Importance of Kinship - Kinship system defines how members relate to one another i.e. 3. Th importance whice h UNICEF attaches to the family is also based on the Conventio onn the Eliminatio onf 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. They also do the work of advisors e.g. Prayers are offered also during time of calamities. iii. 2. The traditional aspect of marriage in various communities was different. Factors that have affected Kinship system 1. That is, kinship is a network of relationships in which each tie is influenced by, and in turn influences, the others. Furthermore, the woman will bear children and thus enrich her husband and the wider circle of relatives from both sides. p119. Factors that have affected Kinship system 1. This culture was pre-literate, pre-scientific and pre-industrial. 3. Leisure Activities: This is the time that one has at his disposal. Chondoka, Yizenge A., Traditional Marriages in Zambia: A Study in Cultural History, Ndola, Mission Press, 1988. the introduction of money economy. However, the influence of mediums and diviners has been affected by Christianity, which is against consulting any power apart from God. Anything described in these terms must inherently be bad, primitive and, therefore, undesirable.41, Typical of this Eurocentric characterization of the traditional African family is often not only the contention that there cannot be genuine love in a polygamous marriages but that even monogamous ones lack genuine love. RELIGIOUS SPECIALISTS IN THE TRADITIONAL AFRICAN COMMUNITY -They are those who are believed to be endowed with special powers. Education of children has been left to teachers. Same ancestry: People of a particular community believe that they have the same origin e.g. children born out of wed-lock are killed or abandoned. Goldthorpe, J.E., The Sociology of the Third World: Disparity and Development. Virginity is not highly valued and many people break their virginity at stage of adolescence. DEATH RITES When a person dies, members of the family gather at the home of the deceased and leave their everyday commitments for a while. Land ownership: The ancestral land is communally owned and nobody is allowed to sell it. The degree of which witchcraft as a cause of death is emphasized varies from one community to another. It can determine a person's political identity and the way money and property are transferred. Primary kinship refers to direct relations. There are societies where prayers are made to the mother and the child. vi. There were clear guidelines, rules and regulations on the use and ownership of land. The moral values learnt include:- -Obedience/loyalty. Some communities have abandoned initiation rites like among the luo; removal of six lower teeth is a practice of the past. They are senior members of the community. The tie reduces cases of incest. Schooling where children spend most of their time with teachers depriving them the time to be with elders. Some reflect the condition of weather or season at the time of birth. As the African society has not been static, changes in the traditional family patterns will be briefly alluded to. They also lead the community in offering sacrifices to God. - This special treatment starts before and continues after childbirth. People could also die due to shortage of food. Factors contributing to harmony and mutual responsibility in African communities. This means that they are looking for death to kill it. 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. Property could be owned by community, individuals or families. They heal various diseases using herbs. Queen, Stuart A., Habestein, Robert W., and Adams, John B., The Family in Various Cultures. The elderly are physically in active. FACTORS AFFECTING THE SYSTEM 173 THE SIB: DESCENT AND EXOGAMY Kinship ties necessarily begin within the family as a pro- creational unit. Kinship refers to relationship between people through blood, marriage or adoption. Maintaining ties of kinship is the way to the security of the Muslim nation. The blood the binds the initiates and ancestors. People who have become educated consider the shaving of the hair unnecessary. 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factors affecting kinship ties in traditional african society