Marriage Practices and the Status of Women among the Bench, Southwest Ethiopia

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 Secondary data were also collected from published and unpublished documents.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.