Colonialism and Its Implication on the African Family Stability in Embu North Sub-County of Kenya from 1895 to 1965

Abstract

Family value system is the basic foundation on which stable societies are created. Sustaining the authentic traditional family value system in a wave of change as strong as western imperialism called for a society that was ready to struggle to retain their culture. This study is on colonialism and its’ implication on the African family stability in Embu North Sub-County of Kenya from 1895 to 1965. The study employed the descriptive research design. Data was obtained from oral, archival and secondary sources. The researcher interviewed a total of 50 respondents who were purposively sampled using snowballing technique. The study corroborated data from oral, archival and secondary sources to ensure the validity and reliability of the study. The discussion starts with aspects of the traditional values that existed among the Aembu by the time colonialism was imposed on Kenya in 1920, advances to how these aspects were executed in family and communal life among the Aembu and moves to how the Aembu were able to retain these family practices and values during the colonial period of 1920 to 1965. Cultural Evolution theory was used to examine colonialism and its implications on the African family stability in the area of study. The findings of the study were that there were family values that the Aembu people maintained before and during colonialism like circumcision (especially female circumcision), the culture of dowry payment, naming system, hospitality, and polygamy; that these family values were evident in their cultural traditions and practices and served to explain their unique African identity, were held in high regard, passed the test of time and were preserved from 1920 to 1965. This study has Contributed to the colonial historiography of the Aembu of Embu North Sub-County, Kenya.