Changes in Brideprice Payments in Christian and Muslim Villages of Kenya

Abstract

By looking at changes in brideprice practice over the last two decades, this article aims at understanding variations in marriage patterns and gender relations in rural Kenya. Attention is given to ways in which changes in brideprice payments impact women’s access to economic resources. The background for such changes in terms of culture and religion on the one hand, and education on the other is examined. The article builds on qualitative studies carried out in Christian villages in Western Province (1988) and Muslim villages in Coast (1990). Returning to the same villages in 2011 insight in continuities and changes is obtained in both areas. With the first round of studies as a background the article underlines present brideprice payments and how these have changed over time. Methods in both rounds are based upon ‘focused biographies’ in which basic demographic information and perceptions of childbearing, marriages and gender relations are collected. Data include in-depth interviews, interviews with key informants and focus groups, comprised of both women and men. The findings show that the burden of brideprice payment is gradually taken over by the younger generation. However, while in the Christian villages the bride has to share the burden, in the Muslim villages she has become a recipient. By this the more educated Christian women in Western remain strongly dependent on their husbands, while less educated Muslim women in Coast have gained some economic power.