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Marriage, Identity and Social Value

Marriage, Identity and Social Value. Large changes for male and female identitites. Traditional “rules”. Men should invest all wealth in wives and sons Early marriage for best bridewealth Married women obey husbands Clan exogamy, patrilocal residence. Bridewealth changes.

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Marriage, Identity and Social Value

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  1. Marriage, Identity and Social Value Large changes for male and female identitites

  2. Traditional “rules” • Men should invest all wealth in wives and sons • Early marriage for best bridewealth • Married women obey husbands • Clan exogamy, patrilocal residence

  3. Bridewealth changes • 1970s one half did not pay • 1980s only 14% • 1990s • 2000s

  4. Functions of bridewealth • Woman becomes socially defined mother • Manager of land • Maintenance of woman and kids • Sons become legal heirs to the land allocated to mothers

  5. No bridewealth = illegal union • Where will a woman be buried? • How will she get land for self and children? • How will she be committed to her husband? • Or her husband’s parents (and them to her)? • Her position in her natal family is ambiguous

  6. Women’s strategies • Use fertility • Try to pay part of the bridewealth to THEIR parents • Become 2nd wives after having a child “out of wedlock” • Try to please ‘in-laws”

  7. Women learn the language of subordination • Manipulate the situation • Use “women’s weapons “

  8. Men • Blame women as being uncontrollable and disruptive • Without bridewealth • lose control over women • Weaken their rights as fathers

  9. Unlike other places in Africa • Marriages are antagonistic • Emotional warmth and affection are exceptions

  10. Marriage, Identity andSocial Value • Traditional marriage becoming rare • Elopement and cohabitation • Divorce rare: men take another wife • Men dependent on women as food producers, bear kids, create relations to other groups • Women dependent on men for land, status, kids, protection

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