International Journal of Development in Social Sciences and Humanities

This paper in an investigation of change in marriage practices and traditions in light of the theoretical underpinning of traditions-modernity nexus. Anchoring it on the historical development of the twentieth century Ethiopia during which the country was exposed to progressively increasing influence of modernization especially sponsored by the central government via its pragmatic policy of centralization, the different areas of the country including those found along the peripheries became subjected to the increasing influence of modernization. This modernization and exposure to different thinking of ‘modernity’ has resulted in the erosion of ‘traditional’ practices giving way to the rising influence of ‘modern-stamped’ practices. Marriage practices especially in urban centers have been hugely influenced by such an exposure to ‘modernity’. The Shinasha living in the Benishagul-Gumuz region have also seen such a change in their marriage practices. For instance, the Shinasha traditional marriage practices of the Ṫs’tsa, Giwa, Biqqa and ‘Nataa’ have almost lost their vitality and a seemingly similar marriage practices especially among urban Shinasha dwelling in urban centers have emerged due to the influence of modernization.