A civic perspective of the nature and scope of bride-price among the Mambwe people of Mbala district of Zambia’s Northern province.
Date
2021
Authors
Musonda, Francis
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to investigate the nature and scope of bride-price among the Mambwe
people of Zambia’s Mbala District of Northern Province, from a civic perspective. The research
employed a qualitative approach. A qualitative based research approach was used because of being
particularly concerned with the way in which people understand and give meaning to their social
world. A Case Study design was applied. The target population included marriage counsellors,
village headmen and marriage men and women. A sample of 26 participants was used which
comprised of four (4) marriage counsellors, four (4) village headmen and eighteen (18) married
men and women. Purposive sampling procedure was used in the selection of participants. The
research employed focus group discussion and structured interview as research instrument. The
researcher employed thematic analysis method complimented by in-depth explanations presented
in narrative form as obtained from the participants, summarizing of key findings as well as the
interpretations.
The study found bride-price to be a historical cultural practice that is used to validate or solemnize
marriages. Bride-price is paid in form of money or in kind. In traditional societies bride-price has
had a cultural significance of legitimizing marriages. The study revealed a number of positive
implications that included, sign of respect and honour, sign of love and act as a unifier and
solidification of marriages. However, the findings revealed that bride-price has had been changing
i.e. it has been “dynamic” from time to time, and because of modernization the practice has been
influenced by social, economic and cultural changes. Its historical integrity, benefits and its
significance have been affected. From the research findings, bride payment is linked to be among
the causes of gender inequalities in households by contributing to male dominance in marriages,
women sexual abuse in marriages, limited decision making for women and economic burden on
the part of men.
The study recommends that the government through line ministries in collaboration with
traditional leaders and civil society organisations should come up with sensitisation programmes
for married people and those intending to marry and explain the cultural significance of brideprice. Government should also come up with legislative laws on the minimum and maximum
amount to pay as bride-price. The act of refunding bride-price in ill-health marriages has to be
abolished.
Keywords: Bride-price, marriage, civic, masculinity, femininity and customs.
Description
Thesis
Keywords
Bride price--Zambia. , Marriage customs and rites--Zambia. , Zambia--Social life and customs.