Family Values and Rituals in Changing Cultural Context: Analysis on Traditional Akamba Marriage and its Implications for Christian Marriage
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Date
2011-07
Authors
Kyalo, P.M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Centre for Promoting Ideas, USA
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the tra
ditional Akamba marriage with a view to
establishing the relevant and useful values that ca
n enrich the modern marriage. Three
objectives guided the study namely:
(i)
To examine the positive aspects in traditional Akam
ba marriage with a view to
utilizing them to strengthen Christian marriage.
(ii)
To explore the causes of marital instability.
(iii)
To discover and emphasize the need of premarital in
structions involving all the
stakeholders.
The paper is part of a research conducted in Kitui
District targeting sample population of 210
people. The subjects were between the ages of 19–98
years old. The research used probability
sampling. The data was obtained from the youth, par
ents, elders, pastors and professionals.
The four hypotheses brought the following findings:
(i)
The longer the duration of marriage, the lesser the
danger of its dissolution.
(ii)
The presence of children especially young ones cont
ribute in prolonging the life of an
unhappy marriage.
(iii)
Parental involvement in the preparation of the offs
pring marriage was found to be one
of the major determinants of marital instability. T
his is because of parents experience
in marriage life, the wisdom, guidance and counsel
to the young ones.
(iv)
Extra-marital sexual permissiveness was strongly di
sapproved since it causes
unfaithfulness in among spouses and it has serious
consequences on the families
concerned.
More findings on the causes of marital instability
were given. Third parties who bring words
of hearsay and rumours have been mentioned as a thr
eat to the stability of marriage. Forced
marriages especially where a young man has to marry
a girl because he has impregnated her
was seen as a cause of disruption in marriages. Par
ental interferences especially where they
would like theirs sons or daughters to assist them
with material things or in monetary terms
was given as a serious cause of marital instability
.
In brief, the main objectives of this study are fai
rly achieved. First, some of the positive
aspects of traditional marriage that can be utilize
d or incorporated into Christian marriage have been identified. Secondly, the causes of marit
al instability have been established. The
emphasis on the need for proper pre-marital prepara
tion, instruction involving all stakeholders
has been laid.
Description
Keywords
Akamba marriage, Christian marriage
Citation
International Review of Social Sciences and Humanit ies Vol. 1, No. 2 (2011), pp. 73-89