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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Moving with Tradition: The Politics of Marriage amongst the Toka of Zambia
Author:Geisler, GiselaISNI
Year:1992
Periodical:Canadian Journal of African Studies
Volume:26
Issue:3
Pages:437-461
Language:English
Geographic terms:Zambia
Great Britain
Subjects:Tonga (Zambia, Zimbabwe)
colonialism
customary law
family law
marriage law
Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups)
Women's Issues
Historical/Biographical
Cultural Roles
Law, Legal Issues, and Human Rights
Marital Relations and Nuptiality
External link:https://www.jstor.org/stable/485290
Abstract:This historic account of the marriage policies adopted by the Toka of southern Zambia follows the development of new marriage laws within the British administered court in Livingstone, viz. the Native Commissioners Court, from 1906 to 1929, and the marriage policies adopted by the Native Authority Courts from 1929 onwards. It also considers subsequent strategies adopted by rural Toka elders in their efforts to monopolize control over women and young men via the marriage system in present-day Zambia. It shows that the invention of marriage 'traditions' during the past century centres on the conflicts between young urban men and rural elders, and for a period, the interests of the colonial government. The process of 'traditionalization' of new marriage patterns has over time shifted and changed the relationship between elders and young men and heightened conflicts between them. The claims of both groups have, however, in the last instance contributed to the reification of women and widened the scope for their subordination. The registration of marriages and divorces, the adoption of the guilt concept, and increased marriage payments have all contributed to greatly diminish women's ability to decide over their lives. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. in French.
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