Abstract:
The purpose of the study was assessing the management practices of psycho-social and
economic conflicts in polygamous families of sheko society.The study employed case study
design to meet the basic research objectives. A total of 46 purposely selected participants were
involved in the study.Data were collected through in depth key informant interview and focus
group discussion.Qualitative data analysis techniques such as narration,thematic analysis &
paraphrasing were used.The findings of the study revealed that polygamy takes four major forms
in sheko society. These were “Tucha Baay” a form of marriage done through the traditional
bride price practice,”Duma baay” a form of substitution marriage,”saka baay”delayed an
independent woman due to death of partner or other reason and „‟Gis‟ua baay‟‟ a process of
forcefully taking a woman that attracts ones eye, which was the most dominant form of marriage
in sheko society.Common conflicts in polygamous marriage were rooted under economic,social
and psychological sources.According to the study these conflicts may occur between the first
wife and husband,between co-wives and among children of co-wives. According to the
respondents,these conflicts were not such destructive as far as strong management was
made.The most common approaches of resolving such conflicts were found to be strengthening
women independence,giving due respecting for the first wife (tucha baay), making strong family
bond and using the culturally respected procedural conflict resolution approach.To sustain such
cultural practices recommendations were made for different stakeholders. Private and
government medias in the zone should play promotion roles.The cultural and tourism offices at
zonal and woreda level should prepare cultural ceremonies that could serve for experience
sharing.Researchers on the behalf of mizan Tepi university cultural and indigenous knowledge
should turn their faces to explore more invisible traditions in the society.
