THE INFLUENCE OF WESTERNISATION ON AFRICAN MARRIAGE PERFORMANCE: A CASE STUDY OF THE ITESO IN SOROTI DISTRICT

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorAJOOT SARAH
dc.date.accessioned2026-10-26T08:23:47Z
dc.date.available2026-10-26T08:23:47Z
dc.date.issued2026-10-23
dc.description.abstractThis study examined the influence of Westernisation on traditional marriage performance among the Iteso of Soroti District and was guided by three objectives: to describe the performance of traditional marriages, to analyse the aesthetics of these performances in the context of Westernisation, and to investigate the role of Western culture and religion in shaping marriage practices. Anchored in African Drama and Postcolonial theories, the study adopted a descriptive research design within a qualitative approach. Participants were selected through purposive sampling and included traditional leaders, religious leaders and married couples in both customary and religious unions. Data were collected using semi structured interviews, focus group discussions and observation, and were analysed thematically in line with the study objectives. The findings revealed diverse marital forms among the Iteso, including monogamy, polygamy, elopement, ghost marriage and religious marriage, each carrying distinct cultural meaning. The study further established that traditional marriage aesthetics remain deeply embedded in cultural values, reflecting a structured system that reinforces social identity and continuity. However, Westernisation has significantly reshaped these practices, leading to the commodification of bride price often linked to educational attainment, as well as the growing influence of Western legal systems on marriage recognition and divorce. The study recommends the integration of traditional marriage practices into educational curricula at upper secondary and tertiary levels to enhance cultural awareness among younger generations, the establishment of community dialogue platforms to facilitate intergenerational engagement on evolving marriage customs, and the incorporation of elements of traditional marriage into formal legal frameworks to ensure their recognition and protection. This study offers a foundational contribution to understanding the changing dynamics of marriage performance among the Iteso in the context of Western influence.
dc.identifier.citationAJOOT SARAH(2026)THE INFLUENCE OF WESTERNISATION ON AFRICAN MARRIAGE PERFORMANCE: A CASE STUDY OF THE ITESO IN SOROTI DISTRICT
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14270/1037
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherGulu University
dc.subjectWesternisation
dc.subjecttraditional marriage
dc.subjectmarriage performance
dc.subjectIteso culture
dc.subjectmarriage aesthetics
dc.subjectbride price
dc.subjectWestern culture
dc.subjectreligion
dc.subjectSoroti District
dc.subjectcultural identity.
dc.titleTHE INFLUENCE OF WESTERNISATION ON AFRICAN MARRIAGE PERFORMANCE: A CASE STUDY OF THE ITESO IN SOROTI DISTRICT
dc.typeThesis

Files

Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
Ajoot Sarah thesis.pdf
Size:
2.34 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Download
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.71 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Download

Collections

Theses and Dissertations