Marriage Ceremonies and Customs among the Iraqw of Tanzania

Abstract

This report forms a part of the work based on the social anthropological field work organized by Kyoto University Africa Scientific Expedition. As one of the members I stayed in Mbulu Area located in the highland above the escarpment along the Rift Valley of Tanzania, from October 1964 to October 1966. During this time, the Hanang investigation base was originally built on the foot of Mt. Hanang for the study of the Iraqw. The Iraqw, who speak a language which has been classified by G.H. Greenberg as Cushitic, have the unique subsistence economy characterized as an agrico-pastoral one, that is to say they raise maize, millets and sorghum; but they also keep herds of cattle, sheep, goats and a few donkeys as well. Of course, in East Africa, Bantu agriculturalists also combine their economic activities with some livestock according to their economical situation. Yet in their traditional economic life cattle-raising is not important. It is to be expected that as the mixed pastoral-agricultural economy of the Iraqw is traditional, their dairy life might be fundamentally affected by both cultural elements. From this point of view, I will try to account for their marriage ceremonies and customes. The Iraqw are primarily patrilineal (Tlahay), although they also have a matrilineal group (Daawi) . Marriage is generally forbidden within the lineage, but the regulation of marriage called Hastik Ameni depends upon the degree of relationships. Although polygyny is practiced, this form of marriage is not. prevalent than monogamous type family. I deal with here the ordinary form of Iraqw love-marriage called Hara watlingw. Doogito, Place for dating : two boys arrange with two girls for meeting at Doogito at night and love grows up between them. Warae, six cooprators for making a good progress at a ceremony: at a given time end place, the bridegroom with Warae goes to meet the bride together with her party of girls and help her run away from her parents home. Kwantlatlir aray, the white necklace: The bridegroom prepares four Kwantlatlir to present the bride and each necklace has a different meanings in the ceremony. Laghwali, marriage gifts: The bride is followed by the party of the bridegroom who give some cattle to her. A cow is never given to the bride without hesitating on the way to bride's home. But in fact, these marriage gifts are only a formality and nothing more. Nanai, sheep for the ceremony: the bride arrives at the bridegroom's home in the middle of the night, one of his younger brothers drives in a sheep in the presence of the bride standing at the entrance.