Changing patterns in Marriage among the Isukha People of Kakamega County, Kenya, 1894-2010

Abstract

This study examines the impact of colonial and post-colonial social and economic changes on Isukha traditional marriage institution 1894-2010. The study maintained that the colonial and post-colonial policies restructured the traditional Isukha marriage institution from courtship, bride wealth, marriage ceremony, widow guardianship to polygamy. The objectives that guided this research included the evaluation of significance of marriage among the Isukha during the pre-colonial period; examination of the establishment of colonial and missionaries’ activities in Isukha; exploration on Isukha marital structural responses to colonial policies and missionary activities; assessing changes in marital relations of the Isukha community in 1963 to 1990; and post-colonial period on labour, property and marital relationship among the Isukha to 2010. The historical research design was used in this research in order to link phases of the area of the study. The study was informed by the theories of articulation of modes of production and agency. Data collection was done through primary and secondary sources by use of vast archival materials and the oral interviews that revealed the state of Isukha perception of marriage institution. Purposive sampling and snowballing techniques were used to select a sample of 60 participants well versed with Isukha marriage from the target population. The research instrument that were employed to collect oral data included unstructured interview schedule, and Focus Group Discussions. Data was analysed using qualitative method. It was compiled into themes and reported in descriptive texts and direct quotations. The study established that the traditional marital institution was the foundation of Isukha society because marriage ceremony fostered cohesion and socialization among community members. It equally observed that, the establishment of the church through missionaries’ activities who acted as fore runners of colonialism impacted on traditional Isukha marriage institution. The study also established that the period 1945-1963 marked a transition in the Isukha marriage institution courtesy of rural- urban migration of the persons under study. Furthermore, the study also found out that while the missionaries and the colonial state with considerable difficulty articulated foreign marital practices, the Isukha responded as receptive agents ready to accommodate, absorb and assimilate new practices into their traditional marriage institution. The Isukha therefore, retained what they deemed beneficial to their marital institution and restructured their traditional institution of marriage with the new and progressive ideas from the missionaries, the colonial state and globalization with what they considered beneficial to the marriage institution. With this nature of the Isukha, their marital institution and property structurally evolved during the period of this study. The research findings established harmonization of the missionary and colonial progressive marital values into the traditional Isukha marital system. The study recommends the need to incorporate some traditional practices such as bridewealth payment, parent’s involvement in family life education and communal interest in the choice of a partner which are harmless and the registration of all marital unions in order to protect the matrimonial rights of the parties