Change and Continuity in the Marriage Practices among the Bukusu of Bungoma County, Kenya, c. 1900–1963
Loading...
Date
2025-12
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
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
Description
A Research Thesis Submitted to the School of Law, Arts, and Social Sciences in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Award of the Master of Arts Degree in History of Kenyatta University, December, 2025
1.Kakai, Pius Wanyonyi
2.Nabende, Julius Simiyu