Browsing by Author "Wanyama, Wanyonyi Reuben"

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    Change and Continuity in the Marriage Practices among the Bukusu of Bungoma County, Kenya, c. 1900–1963
    (Kenyatta University, 2025-12) Wanyama, Wanyonyi Reuben
    This study examines the organization of marriage practices among the Bukusu of Bungoma County to investigate the encounter between Western civilization and the traditional Bukusu marriage practices of Bungoma County in the period between 1900-1945 and to evaluate the influence of British Colonial rule on the marriage practices of the Bukusu of Bungoma County in the period between 1945-1965. The patriarchy theory looks at how different cultures’ influences adapt to, and change one another through contact, exchange and confrontation. The study adopted a descriptive research design. Purposive sampling was used to select respondents for the study. The research instrument used was an oral interview guide and data was qualitatively analysed through thematic analysis. The study found out that the Bukusu marriage practices underwent a transformative process during the colonial era. The marriage system of polygamy was the most affected because of the influence of European Christian missionary activities and teachings on one hand and the British colonial policies on taxation, labour and migration on the other hand. The study also found out that monogamous marriages gained traction towards the 1960s as Bukusu men and women embraced western civilization and capitalist consumerism culture. The study also found out that traditionally, polygamous marriages were sustained by surplus economic resources in the Bukusu society, however, British colonialism ushered in a process of economic underdevelopment in Kenya which undermined the values of Bukusu marriage practices