MARRIAGE AND BRIDEWEALTH NEGOTIATIONS AMONG THE TURKANA IN NORTHWESTERN KENYA

Abstract

This article first provides basic information on kinship structure, livestock ownership, the process of arranging marriages, and amounts of bridewealth transferred among the Turkana of northwestern Kenya. It then describes an actual case of bridewealth negotiations that took place on September 6–7, 1998, and details how people behaved during face-to-face negotiations and how they obtained mutual agreements on numbers of bridewealth animals. Among the Turkana, the amount of bridewealth is not fixed, but is rather determined after long negotiations between the families of the groom and bride. A large number of livestock is transferred, sometimes amounting to two-thirds of the property of the groom's family. Although people talk about the number of bridewealth animals in advance, final figures are settled at public meetings in which harsh words are often exchanged in heated negotiations. However, those involved in bridewealth debates also try to appear generous. The groom's side tries to give out enough animals to satisfy their future in-laws. The bride's side also withdraws their demands gracefully when necessary. Before they start bridewealth negotiations, both parties are usually firmly confident that they will reach an agreement, although their serious negotiation is a "game" played in earnest.