Unkhoswe
The system of guardianship in Gewa matrilineal society
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 2138293 |
|---|---|
| Authors | J P Bruwer (Stellenbosch University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 1955 |
| Volume | 14 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 113-122 |
| Publication date | 1955-01-01 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | African Studies (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0002-0184 • E-ISSN: 1469-2872 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/00020185508706958 |
| OpenAlex | W2071035899 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 4 |
SYNOPSIS The social organization of the Cewa, a matrilineal tribe belonging to the Nyanja‐speaking peoples of the Lake Nyasa region, is characterized by an interesting system of guardianship called unkhoswe, by which the integrity of members of the same matrilineage is stressed. These matrilineages comprise male and female members reckoning descent through a classificatory system of kinship from a common ancestress genealogically recognized and remembered. Within the matrilineage, male members act as guardians, especially in regard to women and their children, on the basis of avuncular power. The guardianship is referred to as unkhoswe, the guardian himself is the unkhoswe, and those coming under his auspices are called his mbumba. The structural framework of the matrilineage is conceptualized in the form of a hierarchical system in which rank and status permeate through females and are projected on to males, in both cases according to sequence of birth. This gives rise to major and minor “breasts” or sections of the matrilineage. Within each sibling group, male members divide responsibility in regard to their sisters and the children of these, but the guardianship of the entire matrilineage remains vested in the senior male member. Guardianship is of permanent nature and also functions within the marriage unit. Since matrilineages are exogamous units, husbands are drawn from other matrilineages belonging to different matrisibs and only act as seedraisers. These husbands remain integral members of their own matrilineages in which they may have guardian responsibilities. As a result of this, intermarrying matrilineages tend to reside together and mutually provide husbands and wives, thus giving rise to a system of preferential marriage which gives a wide connotation to the concept of cross‐cousin unions. It actually tends to function between specific matrisibs. In this manner the unkhoswe system is simplified in its continuation and can function properly even in the marriage unit where the interests of two matrilineages have met on the basis of ritual agreement
Genealogy · Grandparent · Guardian · Kinship · Legal guardian · Political science · Sociology · Tribe · Gender Studies · History · Law · Migration, Identity, and Health · Rangeland Management and Livestock Ecology
| Citations per year | 0.5 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2018 - 2026 (9) |
| Highly cited | No |