Akawaio - Marriage and Family



Marriage. The norm is real or classificatory cross-cousin marriage and the ideal is for two groups of siblings to marry each other. Sororal polygyny was common and a man generally espoused a brother's widow. Polyandry also occurred. A few practice sister's-daughter marriage, perceived as a way of avoiding an undesirable uxorilocality since a sister becomes the mother-in-law. Marriage with father's sister occasionally takes place. The use of teknonyms marks the transition to affinal status. The son-in-law is required to reside uxorilocally and to work for his parents-inlaw. He often gives them his possessions, now including purchased goods and cash. Marriage is confirmed on the birth of a child, and thereafter separation and divorce are deplored. Church marriage is now common.

Domestic Unit. A man, in uxorilocal residence, obtains status as head of family when he becomes a parent-in-law and grandparent. By allying himself with wife's sisters' husbands ("brothers") and sister's husbands ("brothers-inlaw"), a joint-family unity is created. Extended and joint families, which collaborate in garden places, share the same or adjacent houses in a village.

Inheritance. Valuables such as shotguns, brewing pots, manioc graters, and boats are inherited by close kin of the appropriate sex, usually siblings or children of the deceased. A few personal items may be buried with the deceased.

Socialization. Children are brought up to respect seniors and observe the norms of kinship relationships. They learn by imitation and participation. Physical punishment is rare. Children attend school and may leave to get salaried work or go mining. Young men who circumvent uxorilocal residence lack discipline and traditional skills.


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