Marriage is permanent bond between husband and wife.

It is a specific relationship between two

individuals of opposite sex and based on mutual rights and obligations. Marriageis a culturally
and often legally recognized union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and
obligations between them, as well as between them and their children (if any), and between them
and their in-laws

A family is a group of people related by blood, sexual mating, legal ties, marriage, adoption, partnership,
or friendship. It is the smallest and most basic social unit. The purpose of the family is to maintain the
well-being of its members and of society. Family is the most pervasive and universal social institution,
and plays a vital role in the socialisation of individuals

Kinship is a term used in biology and human relationships. In biology, it refers to the degree of genetic
relatedness between individual members of a species. In human relationships, kinship is the most
universal and basic of all human relationships and is based on ties of blood, marriage, or adoption.

MARRIAGE
 A legal and social institution, marriage is the official uniting of two people as partners in
a personal relationship. It usually entails making a commitment to one another, frequently with
the goal of creating a life together and sharing rights, obligations, and benefits. Legally and
socially accepted, marriage can be formally sealed with rituals from one's culture or religion.

RULES OF MARRIAGE

The rules of marriage can vary depending on cultural, religious, and legal contexts.
However, some common principles and expectations in marriage include:

 Mutual respect

Both partners should treat each other with kindness, consideration, and respect.

 Communication

Open and honest communication is essential for a healthy marriage. It is important to listen
to each other, express thoughts and feelings, and work together to resolve conflicts.

 Commitment

Marriage involves a commitment to each other's well-being, happiness, and growth. Both
partners should be dedicated to the relationship and willing to work through challenges
together.

 Trust

Trust is a fundamental aspect of marriage. Both partners should trust each other and be
trustworthy in their actions and words.

 Support

In a marriage, spouses ought to provide one another with emotional, mental, and physical
support. This entails sharing in triumphs and supporting one another during trying times.

 Shared responsibilities

Together, spouses are typically responsible for childcare, finances, and domestic tasks.
Working as a team and making fair, balanced contributions to the relationship are crucial.

 Boundaries
It's important for spouses to accept one another's individuality and set boundaries. While still
keeping a close bond with their marriage, each partner should have time for hobbies, interests,
and personal development.

 Closeness

Key components of a successful marriage include connection, emotional and physical

closeness. Fostering a relationship based on affection, love, and respect is crucial.

Marriages may have additional expectations or agreements depending on the particular

dynamics of each couple. These are just a few typical guidelines

MATA SECTION; WHOM SHOULD YOU MARRY?

In a society one cannot marry anyone whom he or she likes. There are certain strict rules and
regulations.

A. Exogamy

A man is not allowed to marry someone from his own social group.

Exogamy got approval in community because:

 attraction between a male and female gets lost due to close relationship

 a conception of blood relation prevails among the members of a group.

 Exogamy has adaptive value, because it links people in to a wider social network.

B. Endogamy

Individuals marry within their own group and forbids them to marry outside it. For instance
religions groups such as the Amish, Mormons, Catholics, and Jews have rules of endogamy,
though these are often violated when marriage takes place outside the group.

C. Preferential cousin marriage

A common form of preferred marriage is called preferential cousin marriage and is practiced
in one form or another in most of the major regions of the world. Kinship systems based on
lineage distinguish between two different types of first cousins,

 Cross cousins
 A children of siblings of the opposite sex that is one's mother's children and one's
father's sister's children to strengthen and maintain ties between kin groups established by the
marriages that took place in the preceding generation.

 Parallel cousins

when marriage takes place between the children of the siblings of the same sex, that is
children's of one's mother's sister and one's father's brother. The mate may come either from
one's father's brother's children or mother's sister's children.

D. The Levirate and sororate

Another form of mate selection that tends to limit individual choice are those that require a
person to marry the husband or widow of a deceased kin.

 The Levirate

The custom whereby a widow is expected to marry the brother of her dead husband . Such
a custom both serves as a form of social security for the widow and her children and preserved
the rights of her husband's family to her sexualiy and future children.

 The Sororate

when a wife dies and a widowers marrying the sister of his deceased wife. In the event
that the deceased spouse has no sibling, the family of the deceased is under a general
obligation to supply some equivalent relative as a substitute.

NUMBERS OF SPOUSES

Societies have rules regulating whom one may or may not marry ; they have rules
specifying how many mates a person may or should have.

 Monogamy

The marriage of one man to one woman at a time.

 Polygamy

The marriage of a man or woman with two or more mates.

Polygamy can be two types:

 polygyny:-the marriage of a man to two or more women at a time.

 Polyandy :-the marriage of woman to two or more men at a time.

Sororal polygyny:- marriage of a man with two or more sisters at a time. When the co- wives
are not sisters, the marriage is termed as non - sororal polygyny.

Advantages and Disadvantages of polygamous marriage

 Having two or more wives is often seen as a sign of prestige.

 Having multiple wives means wealth, power, and status both for the polygynous
husband, wives, and children.

 It produces more children, who considered valuable for future economic and political
assets.

 Economic advantage encourages to work hard for more wives.

ECONOMIC CONSIDERATION OF MARRIAGE

A. Bride price or bride wealth

The compensation given up on marriage by the family of the groom to the family of the
bride. Important function of bride price has been as a security or insurance for the good
treatment of the wife.

B. Bride service

when the groom works for his wife's family.

C. Dowry

Involves a transfer of goods or money in the opposite direction from the bride's family to
the groom's family.

POST- MARITAL RESIDENCE

Where the newly married couple lives after the marriage ritual is governed by cultural
rules, which are referred to as post - marital residence rule.

 Patrilocal Residence: -lives with or near the relatives of husband's father.

 Matrilocal Residence: the married couple lives with or near the relatives of the wife.

 Ambilocal / Bilocal Residence: -the married couple has a choice of living with relatives
of the wife or husband.
  Avunculocal Residence: - the married couple lives with or near the husband's mother's
brother.

 Neolocal Residence: -the married couple forms an independent place of residence

away from the relatives of either spouse.

Family

Family is the basic and most important primary group of human society. It is the most
permanent, pervasive and also universal social institution.

Cultural anthropologists have identified two fundamentally different types of family

structure -the nuclear family and the extended family.

A. The Nuclear Family

Consisting of married couple and their dependent children. This family is well separated from
other relatives, visiting only occasionally. It is most likely to be found in societies with greatest
amount of geographic mobility.

In any society every adult individual belongs to two different nuclear families.

These are:

 family of orientation: -the family in which he was born and reared.

 family of procreation: -the family which is establishes relation through marriage.

B. Extended Family

consist of two or more nuclear families that are linked by blood ties. In this family systems;
marriage is viewed more as bringing a daughter into the family than acquiring a wife. A man’s
obligation of obedience to his father and loyalty to his brothers are far more important than
his relationship to his wife.

When a woman marries into an extended family, she most often comes under the control
of her mother-in-law, who allocates chores and supervises her domestic activities. In this
family there is a rough correlation found between extended family system and an agricultural
way of life.

According to Murdock’s Ethnographic Atlas (1967), approximately 46 % of the 862 societies

listed have some type of extended family organization.
 FUNCTIONS OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY

A. Biological Function:

The institution of marriage and family serves biological (sexual and reproductive) function.
Sexual cohabitation between spouses automatically leads to the birth of off-spring. Society
reproduces itself through family.

B. Economic Function

Marriage brings economic co-operation between men and women and ensures survival of
individuals in a society. With the birth off-springs, the division of labor based on sex and
generation come into play.

C. Social Function

The institution of marriage brings with it the creation and perpetuation of the family,
the form of person to person relations and linking one’s kin group to another kin group.

D. Educational and Socialization Function

The burden of educating and enculturating children is distributed among family. In

addition, children learn an immense amount of knowledge, culture, values prescribed by
society. Moreover, family behaves as an effective agent in the transmission of social heritage.

KINSHIP

Kinship is the most universal and basic of all human relationships and is based on ties of
blood, marriage, or adoption.

Kinship is a principle of social organization based on a network of relations created by

genealogical connections and social ties modelled on the natural relations of genealogical and
parenthood.

Types of kinship

 Consanguineal kinship: -It has its own in biological bonds and blood links, it includes
family members who are related by descent such as parents, siblings, and extended
family members. It gives more emphasis on family and genetical relationship.

 Affinal kinship: -it is about bonds formed by marriage or ally ship as opposed to
biological ties. In-laws, such as parents-in-law, siblings-in-law, and other family
members linked by marriage, fall under this group. knowledge the social and family
networks that transcend biological ties requires a knowledge of affinal kinship.
 Indigenous and local governance

Indigenous governance systems are crucial in Ethiopian regions for maintaining social
order. Anthropologists study these systems in Ethiopia and Africa, with some well-studied and
others under-researched. Understanding these systems helps understand cultures, enhances inter-
cultural understanding, and promotes smooth relationships among different ethnic groups.
The Oromo Gadaa
The Oromo Gadaa is a well-studied indigenous system of governance, with scholars like
Paul Baxter, Eike Haberland, and Asmerom Legesse studying it since the 1950s.
Asmerom legese published a lot on the Gaada system, particularly focusing on the
Borena Oromo. The following are two of his books on Oromo indigenous political system:
 Gadaa: -Three Approaches to the Study of African Society, published in 1973
 Oromo Democracy: -An Indigenous Political System, published in 2000.
The system involves a complex system of administration, law making, and dispute
settlement, with political power being transferred every eight years. Officials like the Abba
Gaada and Abba Seera serve for eight years before leaving to new generations. The Gaada
system also includes conflict resolution institutions like the Jaarsa Biyyaa, which focuses on
settling conflicts and restoring peace among the Oromo people. The system is widely celebrated
for its egalitarian (democratic) nature and its role in conflict resolution.
The Gedeo Baalle
The Gedeo of southern Ethiopia have an indigenous system of governance called Baalle,
similar to the Oromo Gaada system. Both systems have an age grading system and periodic
power transfers. Religion plays a significant role in the Baalle system, and customary law is
called Seera.
The system has three administrative hierarchies:
Abba Gada, Roga, and Hulla Hayyicha councils. Conflicts are resolved at village level, with
cases referred to the Abba Gada.
Dere Woga of the Gamo
The Gamo people in southern Ethiopia lack a centralized political system and are
organized into local administrations called deres, governed by a ka'o and halaqa. Their
indigenous system includes customary law and dubusha assemblies, with the highest body being
the dere dubusha, responsible for making and revising laws and resolving disputes. Minor cases
are resolved by the dere cima council.
INDIGENOUS INSTITUTIONS OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND PEACEMAKING
Conflict is a common occurrence in human societies, and over 80 ethnic and cultural
groups in Ethiopia have their own conflict resolution institutions. These include customary laws,
courts, and councils of elders. Women play a significant role in conflict resolution, but are often
marginalized.
Indigenous institutions can be divided into intra-ethnic and inter-ethnic types, addressing
conflicts within the same ethnic group and between different ethnic groups.
INTRA-ETHNIC CONFLICT RESOLUTION INSTITUTIONS
Intra-ethnic conflict resolution institutions in Ethiopia address disputes within the same
ethnic group or between individuals or groups of different ethnic groups.
Components of customary justice systems

Customary justice institutions, consisting of customary laws, elder councils, and courts,
are widely used in Ethiopian regions and cultures, with some exceptions.
 Customary law
Customary law encompasses rules, norms, and moral values, serving as a broader framework for
human conduct and social interactions, as seen in various societies.
 Council of elders
The council of elders is a crucial institution in customary justice systems, comprising
highly respected and experienced community members with extensive knowledge of customary
laws.
 Customary courts

The council of elders is a crucial institution in customary justice systems, consisting of

respected and experienced community members with detailed knowledge of customary laws and
personal qualities like truthfulness and conflict resolution skills. The council has various names
in different ethnic groups.
Major characteristic features of customary justice systems

The study reveals that customary justice systems in Ethiopia share similarities and
differences, as well as strengths and weaknesses.
 Common features

Indigenous dispute resolution practices involve elders in conflict resolution and

peacemaking, valuing their experience, knowledge, impartiality, and politeness. These practices
aim to restore social relationships and promote peaceful coexistence.

 Differences

Indigenous justice systems vary in hierarchies, procedures, and complexities, with

conflict resolution mechanisms involving multiple hierarchies and complicated procedures in
some cultural settings, and the composition and responsibilities of elder councils.
Strengths of customary justice institutions

 Strengths of customary justice institutions

The traditional system of community conflict resolution involves public participation,

community-based sanctions, and blessings to ensure compliance. It focuses on restoring
community cohesion and social solidarity, relying on respect for elders and indigenous beliefs,
and transferring compensations.
 Limitations of customary justice institutions

Indigenous justice institutions, dominated by men, often exclude women from elder
councils and customary courts. While effective for dispute resolution within ethnic groups, their
potential for resolving inter-ethnic conflicts is limited.
INTER-ETHNIC CONFLICT RESOLUTION INSTITUTIONS
Abbo Gereb, an indigenous dispute resolution institution in Southern Tigray, aims to
settle disputes between highland and lowland groups over grazing land or water resources. Elders
from both groups come together to resolve these conflicts. However, these institutions have
limitations in restoring long-lasting peace. Hybrid institutions could help address this issue.
 Ethnographic findings reveal inter-ethnic conflict resolution mechanisms, such as Xinto
among the Afar, Edible among the Issa, Gereb among the Tigrayans, and Aboroge among the
Amhara.
WOMEN’S ROLE IN CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND PEACEMAKING
Ethiopian women participate in dispute settlement in exceptional cases, but are not
completely excluded from indigenous governance, conflict resolution, and peacemaking
activities. They use their institutions to exercise power and protect rights.
Three Ethiopian women's institutions, the Yakka of Sidama, Don Kachel of Agnuak, and
Debarte of Tigray, demonstrate their significant role in conflict resolution and peacemaking.

LEGAL PLURALISM: INTERRELATIONS BETWEEN CUSTOMARY, RELIGIOUS AND STATE LEGAL

SYSTEMS
Legal pluralism refers to the existence of multiple legal systems in a society or country,
including customary, state, and religious laws. This concept is evident in Ethiopia, where diverse
ethnic groups and legal systems coexist. The 1995 Constitution of the Federal Democratic
Republic of Ethiopia recognizes indigenous legal systems and allows for the use of religious and
customary laws in personal and family cases.
Legal pluralism is prevalent in Ethiopia, where a single legal system cannot handle all
cases and maintain peace. The relationship between legal systems is characterized by
cooperation and competition, with contradictory perspectives and territorial claims. Justice
institutions, including state/formal, customary, and religious courts, work together in remote and
rural areas.
SUMMARY
 REFERENCES

 What Is Marriage? What Is a Family?

 The Role of Local Governance in Sustaining Peace

 Kinship | Definition, Theories, Sociology, & Facts | Britannica

 Definition and Examples of Kinship Terms - ThoughtCo
 Defining Family | Introduction to Sociology
 Family: Meaning, Characteristics, Function and Types