Abstract:
This research aims to investigate marriage practices and the status of women among the Bench,
southwest Ethiopia. The study identifies types of customary marriages in relation to women
status, examines bride-wealth practices in relation with women status and describes marriage
ceremony. This study has mainly focused on south Bench Woreda. In this study qualitative
approach and ethnographic design was employed. Both primary and secondary data sources
were used. I collected primary data through key informant interview, observation, in-depth
interview and focus group discussion. The informants were purposively selected. Secondary
data were also collected from published and unpublished documents. Thematic data analysis
was employed. As the findings of the study show marriage among the Bench is secular.
Polygamy is culturally acceptable marriage. The Bench practices five types of marriage, which
include: Elope marriage (Garska hame) which is the most common type of marriage among the
Bench, followed by Widow Inheritance marriage (Barz), Arranged marriage (Purn donta),
marriage by Abduction (Gocha hame) and Replacement marriage (Qoxe). Each types of
marriage have differently linked with women status. The Abduction, Widow Inheritance and
Replacement marriage have influence on women than Elope and Arranged marriage. The bridewealth
is central part of marriage in the society. It has positive impact on sustainability and
reorganization of the marriage. Bride-wealth is not given for all types of marriage. Wedding
ceremonies are different based on the types of marriage. Commonly the Bench concludes their
marriage based on customary law of the community.
