This paper is about the Indigenous marriage practice among bench people. Ethiopia is a country where there are lots of nations and nationalityies live together. Ethiopia is a country with a population of over 86 ethnic groups. The Bench ethnic group was formerly known as the Gimira people, especially before 1983 E C, and in the previous system, the name (Gimira) was used in various regimes.
Based on this, some of bench elite claim that the ethnic group originated in Israel, citing the Gimira, the lost tribes from the House of Israel, as having disappeared from Israel and their where about in the world unknown, according to a Google search engine. They say it can be found, see, for example, a website.
As expected, the Bench ethnic group is currently divided into three main ethnic groups, the Mer, Bench, and Shey Bench, with the same language, culture, tradition, and psychology, and lives in a similar way in terms of appearance and colour, but it has many ethnic groups, numerous genealogies, and other identities. In terms of language, all the people speak called Benc’ non. In English what we call mouth of Bench. Culturally, the details described in this article are to be applied to most of the Heritage culture, experience and tradition must do for most of them. This article deals with one of the most recognizable figure of bench people which make them unique from other is called marriages - ceremonies.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1. Marriage Structure in Bench society
2. Types of Marriage in Bench society
3.1. Furn Gersta (marriage by wedding)
3.2. Gariska (Marriage of consent)
3.3. Gocha (marriage by abduction)
3.4. Barzasinaa (Inheritance Marriage)
3.5. Koxasina (recovery marriage)
3.6. Boz (Gloomy Marriage)
3. Cost of Marriage in Bench society
4.1. Gresta’s (marriage by family agreement) dowry
4.2. Gariska (marriage of consent) dowry
4.3. Gocha’ (marriage by abduction) dowry
4.4. Barzasinaa (Inheritance marriage dowry)
4.5. Dowry of koxasinaa (recovery marriage)
4.6. Dowry of Boz (Gloomy Marriage)
4. Wedding ceremony in Bench society
5. A song at the bride's house
6. Family gift
7. Bridal dresses and ornaments of Bench women
Objectives & Research Topics
The primary objective of this work is to explore and document the traditional marriage practices and cultural heritage of the Bench people in Ethiopia, which have historically been under-researched. The study aims to preserve these traditions by detailing the marriage structure, various forms of union, associated costs, and ceremonial customs.
- Marriage establishment criteria and social qualifications for youth.
- Taxonomy of marriage types, including consent, abduction, and inheritance.
- The role of dowry and mediation in traditional Bench unions.
- Cultural expressions through wedding songs, music, and bridal aesthetics.
Excerpt from the Book
1. Marriage Structure in Bench society
Human history is based on the existence of society. The institution of marriage is unique in many different institutions. It is a tool to sustain human society. The institution of marriage is as old as the creation of the world. The basic foundation of marriage is “a personal relationship between a man and a woman and a biological relationship to fertility. 3 Marriage is an important in the bench society. It may take place in the bargain between the couples or by abduction in bench society. In bench society when someone set up marriage, it should fulfill the common characteristics what the society used to indicate their youngsters for marriage.
Marriage in bench society where most of the time for substituting the descendants of their clans. This is because the person with the high number of people has having high dignity and respect from community. 4 The person with many people was getting a respect when it comes to folk song, and other place where the community meets. For the sake of this marriage is established in the bench society.
In the culture of bench people, for someone who have died without having a son and without a race they will be rolling black rock stoned when the Skelton leave the house5. This means that you are born out of wedlock, in benc’non Bamumam shidawo. Because of this attitude, having a child is a must in the bench society. On the other hand, the practice of marrying and having a double marriage allowed in the culture of bench people.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Provides an overview of the Bench ethnic group's demographic distribution, lifestyle, and the research gap concerning their documented history.
1. Marriage Structure in Bench society: Defines the foundation of marriage as a tool for sustaining society and explains the social necessity of having offspring for clan continuity.
2. Types of Marriage in Bench society: Categorizes the six distinct types of marriage practiced by the Bench people, ranging from formal wedding agreements to inheritance and abduction.
3. Cost of Marriage in Bench society: Explains the socioeconomic significance of dowry (Geki) and the role of the mediator (mac) in facilitating agreements.
4. Wedding ceremony in Bench society: Describes the ceremonial celebrations, emphasizing communal participation and the transition of the bride.
5. A song at the bride's house: Explores the role of music, dance, and specific rituals like the "wor case" program in traditional weddings.
6. Family gift: Details the exchange of traditional furniture and gifts between the families involved in the marriage.
7. Bridal dresses and ornaments of Bench women: Outlines the cultural importance of traditional garments, buffalo horn jewelry, and body decorations like Albo and Gasa.
Keywords
Bench people, Ethiopia, Marriage, Dowry, Geki, Indigenous culture, Wedding ceremony, Abduction, Barzasinaa, Furn Gersta, Tribal customs, Cultural heritage, Genealogy, Traditional songs, Ornaments
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic work?
This work focuses on the documentation of the traditional marriage practices and associated cultural rituals of the Bench ethnic group in Ethiopia.
Which central thematic areas are covered?
The study covers the social structure of marriage, different types of marriage, the significance of dowry, wedding ceremonies, songs, and traditional bridal aesthetics.
What is the central research objective?
The objective is to address the lack of documented history regarding the Bench people by recording their marriage culture, which the author argues is currently at risk of being lost.
What research methodology was employed?
The study utilizes an exploratory research approach, relying on purposive interviews with community elders over the age of 50 to gather accurate, culturally-rooted information.
What does the main body of the text address?
The main body examines the specific marriage types (Furn Gersta, Gariska, Gocha, Barzasinaa, etc.), the complex dowry payment systems, and the specific celebratory traditions like wedding songs and adornments.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Key terms include Bench people, marriage customs, dowry (Geki), indigenous traditions, and cultural heritage.
How is the practice of "Barzasinaa" defined within Bench culture?
Barzasinaa is an inheritance marriage where a widow marries her late husband's brother or a close relative to ensure the continuity of the deceased's family line and estate.
What role does the mediator, known as "mac," play?
The "mac" is a trusted community figure who mediates between the bride's and groom's families to reconcile differences and negotiate marriage agreements and dowry terms.
Why is the "Gasa" beauty practice significant for a bride?
Gasa is a traditional form of body art or "youthful make-up" designed to beautify the abdomen and arms, which enhances a woman's attractiveness and standing for marriage.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Habtamu Solomon Korgitet (Autor:in), 2021, Indigenous marriage practice in bench society in Ethiopia, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1006312
