This paper examines the legacies of colonialism using Abagusii, a community
in western Kenya, as a case study. Firstly, the paper briefly summarizes the key
aspects of Abagusii marriage relations in pre-colonial society. It then defines
colonialism in the context of Gusii and examines the effects of invasion, the
spread of western ideals, the influence of western education, and missionary
interactions in the highlands. The research also looks at how colonial economic
and social policies affected marriage relationships. The main contention made
in this essay is that pre-colonial and colonial social-political and economic
dynamics, in combination, have shaped and continued marriage ties across time.