3.

0 KINSHIP, NORMS, CUSTOMS, AND SOCIALIZATION

PRACTICES INDIGENOUS SYSTEM OF INHERITANCE

3.1 Definitions
3.1.1 Socialization
 It is the process of learning to behave in a way that is acceptable to society.

3.1.2 Kinship
 As already explained in the previous Unit, Kinship is the relationship between
members of the same family. This relationship may be based on descent or
marriage.

3.1.3 A lineage

 It is a unilineal descent group that can demonstrate their common descent from
a known apical ancestor.

 Unilineal lineages can be matrilineal or patrilineal, depending on whether they

are traced through mothers or fathers, respectively.

 Whether matrilineal or patrilineal descent is considered most significant differs

from culture to culture.

3.1.4 A clan

 It is generally a descent group claiming common descent from an apical ancestor.

 Often, the details of parentage are not important elements of the clan tradition.

 Non-human apical ancestors are called totems.

 Examples of clans belonging to the Chewa clans are the Phiri and the Banda,
with a population of approx. 1.5 million people.

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 3.1.5 A Phratry

 It is a descent group composed of two or more clans each of whose apical

ancestors are descended from a further common ancestor.

 If a society is divided into exactly two descent groups, each is called a moiety,
after the French word for half.

 If the two halves are each obliged to marry out, and into the other, these are
called matrimonial moieties.

3.1.6 A Deme
 It refers to an endogamous local population that does not have unilineal
descent.
 Thus, a deme is a local endogamous community without internal segmentation
into clans.

3.2 The family as a social institution

There are 4 types of socialization:
1. Primary socialization
2. Anticipatory socialization
3. Professional or developmental socialization
4. Re-socialization

 Interacting with friends and family, being told to obey rules, being rewarded for
doing chores, and being taught how to behave in public places are all examples
of socialization that enable a person to function within his or her culture.
 The role of socialization is to acquaint individuals with the norms of a given
social group or society.
 It prepares individuals to participate in a group by illustrating the expectations
of that group.

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  Socialization is very important for children, who begin the process at home with
family, and continue it at school.

3.2.1 Infant Care

Infants usually are carried on the mother's back, facing inward. Mothers conduct many
activities with their babies in attendance: shopping, carrying water, hoeing a garden,
and dancing in a ceremony.

3.2.2 Child Rearing and Education

The average woman will bear five to six children, less than half of whom will live past
the age of five years. Children are raised under strict family control, usually by the
mother, until they leave home. They are expected to help with the chores of daily
living. Most tasks are done by female children, such as carrying water, cleaning the
home and washing dishes, and going to the market.

3.2.3 Marriage Customs

 Marriage is a socially or ritually recognized union or legal contract between
spouses that establishes rights and obligations between them, between them and
their children, and between them and their in-laws.
 The definition of marriage varies according to different cultures, but it is
principally an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate
and sexual, are acknowledged.
 When defined broadly, marriage is considered a cultural universal.
 A broad definition of marriage includes those that are monogamous,
polygamous, same-sex and temporary.
 While polygamous marriages are not legally recognized under the civil marriage
laws of Malawi, customary law affords a generous amount of benefits to
polygamous unions, ranging from inheritance rights to child custody.

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3.2.4 Some marriage practices of Malawi
 Malawian wedding traditions are among some of the most valued traditions
in the country.
 Females undergo an initiation ceremony at the onset of puberty or
menstruation and just before marriage. It often consists of very explicit
instructions on the sexual aspect of marriage.
 Each tribe has its unique wedding traditions that they follow whenever a
man and a woman are getting engaged.
 Normally our society dictates and encourages that couples-to-be should enter
their marital life by going through the traditional weddings.
 Marriages that do not start by successfully going through the traditional route
are oftentimes regarded with little respect.

3.2.4.1 Lobola
 In the northern region, the bride pays lobola to the groom’s parents.
 Lobola is paid in form of cattle or sometimes cash equivalent to the number
of cattle charged.
 The minimum number of cattle for a wedding to take place is three.
 However, the number of cattle or money they charge depends on the level
of education of the girl.
 Usually, they charge more for educated girls than for the less educated girls.
 Daughters from loyal families also have a much higher lobola price.

3.2.4.2 Chinkhoswe
 People in the central region and some parts of the southern region organize
chinkhoswe as part of their traditional wedding. No lobola is paid.
 However, there is an exchange of chicken between the family of the bride
and the gloom’s family.
 In the south sometimes they simply exchange a chitenje cloth.
 The chinkhoswe ceremony is commonly organized as an indoor event.
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  Usually, the ceremony is attended by closed relatives of the bride and gloom.
It is the time where the people from the two families are introduced to each
other.
 Additionally, the chinkhoswe ceremony is the time the woman receives
traditional marriage counseling.
 She is taught some of the dos and don’ts of marriage to ensure a happy
family.
 The emphasis here is on how the woman should behave to make the man
happy so that the two remains together till death.

3.2.4.3 Wedding officiation at the church

 When all the traditions are satisfied the two are ready to organize a wedding
ceremony.
 The Malawian wedding is a public event where everyone is free to attend. Since it
is a once in a lifetime event for many people it is considered a very special day.
 The wedding day starts at the church where the priest officiates the marriage
between the woman and the man.
 While at the church the bridal party it goes to the front of the church while dancing.
They dance in boy-girl pairs. Then parents bring their son and daughters in the
church aisle while the audience is ululating loudly.
 Once the bride and groom meet, the two dance together as they go down to the
altar where the priest is waiting to bless them. At this time the entire audience rises
while dancing along to Malawian wedding songs until the couple sits down.
 After the two get their sit, the priest gives a short wedding sermon. They then ask
the bride’s and groom’s parents few questions to acknowledge the union of the
two. Once both parties agree the priest reads wedding vows for the couple to agree
too. Thereafter, a marriage certificate is given to the newly-wed.

3.2.4.4 The Wedding Reception

 The reception is the most interesting part of any Malawi wedding.

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 Usually, few people attend the church service but many attend the reception.
Commonly the reception starts at 1 pm soon after the couple, family members
and invited guests take their launch.
 The master of ceremonies (MC) is the first person to take position at the
reception venue. The MC introduces everything starting with a prayer and
calling upon wedding cashiers and the bridal party.
 The bridal party starts dancing as they get forward to the front stage to get sited.
At this time the morale builds up as the DJ mixes loud music and the audience
dance along.
 Followed by the bridal party is the newlywed who dances heavily as they go to
take their position. And there are more dances and ululating from the audience
during this moment. This is the moment the couple radiate smiles like sun rays
towards the audience. More Malawi wedding songs play along until the two
also get sited.
 Next begins the giving in of money and gifts to the couple. The MC first invites
parents from both sides to express their gratitude and present their gifts. While
this is happening people start showering in money into baskets.
 From one group to another, the MC invites them to come in front to bring
money and gifts to the new family. Now the husband and the wife keep on
standing now and again to receive these gifts.
 Events take place between three to four hours until the last part when snacks
and drinks are distributed.

3.2.5 Malawian wedding dresses

 People who are getting married put in a lot of money in buying best wedding
dresses for their events.
 In many cases, the man buys two suits, wears one at the church while another
at the reception.

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 The woman also wears an expensive long white veil. Usually, the woman’s
dresses cost more than that of the man. Some prefer to hire the wedding dresses
at a lower cost than buying them.

3.2.6 Malawi wedding decorations

 Wedding decorations are made both at the church and at the reception hall. To
make the colours more beautiful the task of decorating the place is outsourced
to expert decorators and event organizers. This too cost the wedding team
some money.

3.2.7 The honeymoon

 After the long dancing day, the couple drives to a lodge or hotel for
honeymoon. They spend at least three days there before going into their home.
Once at home they return to work and resume normal daily duties.

3.3 When is the right time to marry in Malawi?

 People are free to marry at any of their choice age as long as they are adults.
 A person considered to be an adult should be eighteen years or above.
 Another aspect of Malawi marriage that some people care about is
education. Girls and boys are encouraged to marry after they have
completed at least secondary school education.
 Those with primary qualifications are told to wait until they finish school. All
in all Malawian wedding traditions have little to do with one’s education.
 In rare situations, financial independence is considered crucial to whether
someone is ready for marriage or not. A man is expected to have some
occupation enabling him to earn enough to support the family.
 For the uneducated people who live in the village, farming is the most
common occupation.

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 While for town dwellers they are expected to secure a job or start a
business. Usually, the need for financial independence is not emphasized.
It’s not a big issue.