‘Absuma’: A Folkloric Analysis of an Indigenous Marriage System among the Afar of Ethiopia

Abstract

The major objective of this study was to examine the general pattern of "Absuma" and understand its significance in terms of shaping the socio-cultural relational matrix among the Afar people of Ethiopia. The research was mainly qualitative in design and explanatory in analysis. To this effect, data were gathered from community elders, tribal leaders, and married members in order to learn about various phases of the ‘Absuma’ and its related marriage rites and practices. The data gathered from the field were subjected to descriptive analysis. The finding of the study shows that as a cultural marriage system, "Absuma" is still in practice by the virtue of its relevance with the culture and religious tradition of the society. In the "Absuma" marriage system of Afar, "Festive meal" receives a primary consideration. This pre-wedding preparation has its own distinct features as organized by the families of the bride and the groom although the meal festivity prepared by the bride family is given much cultural emphasis. As various social activities in the Afar culture are conducted and performed in groups, pre-wedding tasks are accomplished by youth teams (Feima) who are responsible for making the wedding ceremony absorbing and engaging such as by performing a variety of cultural dances. They are expected to escort and help the couple enjoy themselves beginning a week ahead of the actual event. As women bear greater responsibility in the culture, they are bound to prepare the necessary food and beverages a month before the wedding date. Even after the wedding, the mother of the bride has a great social obligation to manage the home of the couple until they are capable of living by themselves independently.