Social Significance of Kinship in the Bemba Speech Community

Abstract

This study investigated the social significance of kinship in a Bemba speech community by examining the concept from the linguistic and anthropological perspectives. It took a qualitative approach, in particular ethnographic research design. This study included family heads, spouses, children, dependents, area councilors, social workers in Mufulira District. In total forty eight (48) participants took part in the study. Family heads, children and dependents among others took part in the study. Two methods of sampling were used in this study: purposive and simple random. Data was collected through interviews, Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and questionnaire. Findings indicate that many factors have certainly strained extended family ties to an extent that many people no longer honor the ideals of traditional family loyalty yet, such cultural ideals are as common to African societies as those of personal autonomy are in Western societies. Literature corroborates with the findings and establishes that the family is one of the key cultural strongholds in a Bemba community just like in many African communities. Unanimously, participants in the study point to the disintegrated social cohesion as one of the factors contributing to the increase in the number of people in need of care and support. There seem to be a general view from participants that initiatives to support the needy should be accompanied with efforts to ascertain their socio-psychological effects on those in need of care and support. Findings further reveal that majority of the people in need of support have relatives who could come to their aid but are unable due to, among other issues, economic hardships. This paper encourages the acceptance and support of extended family system in Zambia owing to its cultural compatibility with the community.