Marriage and Family of the Tutsi Tribe

Among the Tutsi tribe, social status was a very important factor in their society and often reflected the marriages of the tribe members. A person's social status could be determined through their body posture and position, mannerisms, language, and movements. Those of high social class were expected to have standard of self-respect and not show any emotions. The social class ranking was not only used for families, but among other tribes and cultures. The Tutsi were consider to be of a higher class than the Hutu, who often served as caretakers for the Tutsi's cattle and livestock. The Tutsi people made up the majority of this ruling system, due to the fact that it was very difficult for a Hutu or someone from another tribe, to be able to join the Tutsi class. Although it was rare for a person to join the Tutsi, it was common for one to be removed from the Tutsi class and into the Hutu. This was a common penalty of someone who committed a dishonorable act.

Many of the people of the Tutsi had arranged marriages, which was generally the role of the father to find a wife for his son - usually of the same social class. The family of the groom had to pay a price for the bride, which was agreed by both families. This payment can vary in form and value, but was often composed of cattle and in modern day can be cash or clothing. Although this tradition still continues, most people in these days have the ability to choose whom they want to marry. Polygamy was still practiced among the people, even though it was strictly forbidden by the civil law and the church.

Family is important to this tribe and they strive to maintain a strong relationship with their extended family. Families live in individual homes, but are grouped together in areas with extended family. When a woman is married, she is joined with her husbands family, but in this tradition, husbands and wives do not live in a house together. In the families, children are generally born at the home, with the assistance of other women. A ceremony is held for the baby, 6 days after he/she is born. At the ceremony, the baby is presented to the family and the mother receives gifts and a crown of flowers. When the child is about one year old, a different ceremony called kuvamukiriri, the baby is given a name, which is chosen by the grandfather, and the child is baptized if the family is christian. Children are highly valued and are an important part of the family and culture of the Tutsi tribe. These holidays as well as traditional holidays are usually celebrated with dancing and drumming.


http://kjhtutsis.wikispaces.com/

References:

“Countries and Their Cultures.” N.d. Culture of Burundi. http://www.everyculture.com/Bo-Co/Burundi.html. Accessed February 21, 2014.

“Countries and Their Cultures.” N.d. Tutsi. http://www.everyculture.com/wc/Brazil-to-Congo-Republic-of/Tutsi.html. Accessed February 21, 2014.