The impact of the coffee economy on marital relations among the Chagga from c.1890 to 1960: a case of Hai district

This study explored the impact of the coffee economy on marital relations among the Chagga in Hai District from 1890 to 1960. The main objective of the study was to examine the extent to which the introduction of coffee production transformed the traditional Chagga marriage. The study used the political economy approach to elucidate the changing forms and nature of the traditional marriage systems along with the coffee economy among the Wachagga. Archival, oral and secondary documentary sources were used to collect the data for this study. The study provides three major findings. First, the study identified the nature of traditional Chagga marriage practiced before the establishment of the coffee economy in Hai District. Traditionally, the Wachagga had different ways in which a man could be regarded as a woman`s legal husband and father of his children. Therefore, steps in the traditional marriage system were very strong and were keenly adhered to as part of Chagga culture. The second finding is that study shows the ways in which the coffee economy in Hai District influenced the traditional marriage of the Wachagga during the colonial period. Natives engaged in coffee production which paved the way for migrant labourers from outside, as well as money which became the major means of exchange. These changes slowly altered traditional Wachagga marriage ties. Last but not least the study traced the socio-cultural significance of the changes to traditional Chagga marriages and families in relation to the introduction of the coffee economy in Hai District during the colonial period. The study concludes that society is not static, but is always dynamic depending on the level of development it has achieved.