ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the family, the social group characterized by common residence, economic co-operation, and reproduction had in Ruanda a conjugal basis. It deals with the ways and conditions of the establishment of 'union between a man and a woman such that children born to the woman are then recogized legitimate offspring of both partners'. In a primary marriage there were few positive socially recognized criteria of choice and none of them indicated one or a few individuals as preferential partners. Bride-wealth had to be paid before the wedding ritual, but payment could sometimes be delayed. In that case more jugs of beer had to be given. Wedding ceremonies (ubukwe) taking place at the groom's fathers was very long and complicated. Ruanda may be said to be a polygynous society in two senses. Firstly, polygynous unions were culturally preferred. Secondly, probably thirty per cent, of the unions were polygynous. Voluntary celibacy was unknown in Ruanda.
