Most Africans underwent three marriage rites before they could have their wives. African Wedding Traditions Everything You Want To Know, TRADITIONAL ETHICS AND THE MAINTENANCE OF SOCIAL, CHRISTIAN VALUES AND AFRICAN CULTURE AN EVALUATION, MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE AMONG THE ASANTE Centre of African During the ceremony, the couple dances while guests throw money at them or put it on their foreheads., The Igbos wedding traditions are really different from weddings in the United States of America. The size of the clan could differ from one to the other. Despite this manifestation, marriage has been very often exposed to incidences of violence. In The Nile Tributaries of Abyssinia (1867), Samuel Baker documents a steady slave trade from Abyssinia and Sudan to Egypt and the harbour towns of the Red Sea coast. Blessed be the God of all creation for being in the business of creating marriages as well as rebuilding and amending them. INTRODUCTION In Africa, especially in Igbo land, marriage is the only known Bibliography Hopkins, E.W.. (1918). It was the marriage ceremony that attracted people to the place. Despite this, recent studies on the marriage institution reveal that speaking of marriage as an exclusive union of love, joy, and great intimacy risks being termed a contradiction amidst the experiences of violence today. By using our site, you agree to our collection of information through the use of cookies. Little wonder Mary felt so concerned when the marriage ran out of wine. . The ultraviolet light that lit the tiny box of a room made her underwear and heavy lipstick glow in an eerie, supernatural but definitely eye-catching way. It includes norms and values of a society: their religion, politics, economics, technology, food habits, medicine, rules of marriage, the performing arts, law and so on. Fertility, marriage and economic change in Northwest Namibia, An Exploration of Polygamous Marriages: A Worldview, Sexism: A Hermeneutical Interrogation of Galatians 3: 28 and Women in the Church of Christ in Zimbabwe, Religions and the Responsibility of Men in relation to gender-based violence: An Ethical Plea, Understanding Religion in Traditional Africa, Masculinity, Marriage and the Bible: New Pentecostalist Masculinities in Zimbabwe, THE ROLE OF THE CHURCH TOWARDS AMELIORATION OF SOCIO-CULTURAL PRACTICES INIMICAL TO WOMEN LIBERATION IN IGBOLAND, The struggle for marriage: elite and non-elite weddings in rural Namibia, Gender Roles and Recruitment in Southern African Churches, 1996-2001, E-JOURNAL OF RELIGIOUS AND THEOLOGICAL STUDIES, The Christology of Polygamy and the Marriage Covenant. Despite this manifestation, marriage has been very often exposed to incidences of violence. A community has distinct beliefs, customs and cultural practices. In this way, African culture and values can be revaluated, their relevance established and sustained in order to give credence to authentic African identity. This means that GBV is not exclusive to any gender. of marriage and divorce in contemporary Igbo society. by J. Kgler / R. Gabaitse / J. Stiebert), Marriage and family life in Zimbabwean culture. 3. Throughout Africa, traditional or cultural marriages which provided the rich-ness of natural continuity of life are fast fading out due to the influx of the alien Western culture. In a modern family people is less subject to the parental control in the matter of mate choice. THE PLACE OF TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE IN AFRICAN CULTURE, Marriage not wedding was the real miracle. (b) Explain four reasons which made traditional African communities to offer sacrifices. 4. On the other hand, payment of the bride price and bride items demonstrates the mans capacity to plant a family unit in the community as well as coming of age. So unhappy is the woman who fails to get children. At marriage, every African Christian couple, especially in mission-founded churches, is confronted with three worlds the world of the traditional culture to which most parents of marrying-age children belong; the world of the civil or Weefree Ministries, as Jesus did,include ministering to the physical, emotional, mental, vocational, and financial needs of others. Academia.edu uses cookies to personalize content, tailor ads and improve the user experience. If the woman accepts the proposal, the grooms family presents bride price and associated items to the brides parent. African culture and traditions are handed down from generation to generation. The Process of Marriage in African Societies: A Multiple Indicator Approach Created Date: 20160811045033Z society, there exists within the African traditional marriage system resources available, which if discerned and learned properly can help checkmate or even stalemate some of the ills it suffers today. Theres no substitute for traditional marriage for on its foundation other traditions rest. Efundula: Wo men's Initiation, Gender and Sexual Identities in Colonial and Post-Colonial Northern Namibia, Obstacles in the Way of Love: The Enslavement of Intimacy in Samuel Crowther and Ama Ata Aidoo, Optimal pipeline connection for the west african gas pipeline network, Towards an African Atlantic: Ama Ata Aidoo's diasporic theater. It presents quantitative data showing very low marriage rates among Zulu I ntroduction: Human societies globally have from time immemorial held with great regard the celebration of marriage. Its the start of a new life for the bride and groom, together and out of the households of their parents., Arranged Marriage is a form of Marriage when your parents, families, and communities pick who your significant other is. African Culture and the Status of Women The Yoruba Example Women in Africa: Tradition and Change. 4. There are also other factors, such as, industrialisation, migration, inculturation, globalisation, information technology which have played a role in the changes of the African cultures. The Role of the African Traditional Religion in the Promotion of Justice, Reconciliation and Peace in Africa in the Twenty-first Century: A Kenyan Experience . It is observed that the failure of Kofi Ako and Anowa's marriage was as a result of disobedience to good counsel of parents and elders of the community. 303-325. Its important to put records right especially as most African rich traditions are branded demonic. It argues that not only does gender based violence risk the health and wellbeing of the married couple, children and the society, but also its continuous 'coexistence' with marriage threatens the realization of the essential properties of marriage (unity and indissolubility). This paper looks at how African marriage and family have evolved as a result of direct contact with both Islam and Christianity. Before this ceremony, the couple get acquainted with each other and agreed to marry. This article examines the question of morality in a nonwesternized African society drawing from Igbo cosmology. Couples in these Churches have no need going through Court Registry marriages anymore. It is trite to note that even where regulations exist to excuse or better still legalise this form of marriage, it is still not acceptable in major cultures and civilisation across the world and particularly in many African countries like Malawi, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Nigeria. In traditional rural African societies, the contraction of marriage was dominated by arranged marriages whereby parents usually indulged in the selection of marriage partners for their children; this was mostly common for their daughters. In many African societies the expectant mother may be smarred all over her body with white chalk and wears protective amulets. If It's Your Money, I Will Pay and Go: Shifting and Contested Significance of Brideprice Payment among the Dagaaba of Northwest Ghana. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. My parents were together for 15 years before they divorced but before the split I was able to witness the idea of a family. single-parent families, gay couples, etc.) The Igbo have a marriage system that straddles the line of old traditions, types, and new trends to the Igbo structure., Marriage is an important step in the life of nearly every human on earth. As Siqwana-Ndulo (1998) stated, the institutions of family, marriage and household in African societies revolved around community. Though these networks may not continue in their traditional form, extended family relationships are still very close and important to one's life. Marriage has, despite demographic and political shifts, significant value for the individual, families and the society (Nock, 2005). The slaves discouraged casual sexual relationships and placed a lot emphasis on marriage and stability. African women by officially recognising all African customary marriages in South Africa. New York: World Youth Alliance Press, 2018, Beyond the Quest for Historical Jesus in African Christianity: Albert Nolan, Jacques Dupuis and the Universality of Christ's saving work, Marriage and Meaningful Existence: A Philosophic Response to the Polemics on Marriage, RELIGION, MARRIAGE AND FAMILY VALUES IN AFRICA: ISSUES, CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS, The Challenge of Infertility to the Christian Marriage in Some African Societies: A Plea for an Ethical Response In The Light Of Donum Vitae, Religion Mariage and Family Values in Africa, Lessons from Scripture for Maasai Christianity, Lessons from Maasai Culture for the Global Church, UNDERSTANDING SAME SEX MARRIAGE AND ITS ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS ON AFRICAN VALUE SYSTEM: A CRITICAL STUDY OF THE NIGERIAN SOCIETY, Promoting Chastity in Marriage through Marital Counseling In The Light Of Amoris Laetitia, The Blame of Infertility in Families amongst the Ikwerre People of Rivers State, Wife Battery: A Divine Command from the Garden of Eden or a Gene Disorder in Men? kinship. The Igbo tribes seem to be very traditional, and it feels to be rather an odd thing to see in America, but very normal in other parts of the world such as Nigeria., perception that they want to sell their girls, however this is not the case. Sorry, preview is currently unavailable. You can download the paper by clicking the button above. According to Mbiti (1969 . I pray African Christians to re-examine most European concept we give prime place while undermining our rich traditional culture. From oral tradition, literary records and observation, the article, through the lens of ethical relativism, mirrors morality as a timeless definition of humanity influenced by locality. Changes in family structures reflect the enduring tensions between traditional, Christian/religious and modern values and structures. African and Chinese cultures both have very intriguing ways of how they proceed with their ceremony. In some African regions if the couple is residing abroad, the traditional marriage will still be accomplished even in their absence by the family members back home. Marriage in South Africa exists in a number of different forms, as a result of the diversity of religions and cultures in the country. There are also other factors, such as, industrialisation, migration, inculturation, globalisation, information technology which have played a role in the changes of the African cultures. African society has been undergoing tremendous changes in every aspect of life including family structure and marriage. I always knew that marriage was between a man and a woman. These three ceremonies involve fortune and time. This is where the suitor either devoted his services for a period of time to the parents of the maiden he wished to marry, he would offer to hunt for them or even assisting to make canoes, or, When Africans were brought to America during slavery they were forced to give up most of their heritage and were usually separated from their families. Filed Under: Essays Tagged With: Family. C.N Nwadiokwu, 2E.S Nwadiokwu, 3E.N Favour, 4 It must be noted that the African society loves to have children. A last type of proposal or demand in marriage was a purchase contract. The emergence of clusters of traditions and cultural civilization of the wider Igbo society and the influence of the Western culture necessitated the need to review the traditional Igbo marriage and customs. All Rights Reserved. This paper is comprised of a literature review and an annotated bibliography of past and current empirical and theoretical scholarship and policy analysis concerning the de jure and de facto rules and norms of inheritance practices in African societies, particularly with regard to physical assets, and their effects on the intergenerational Weefree Ministries - Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others so they can come to know Him and receive Him as personal Savior, go on to experience Him as Lord of their life, and go even further to know Christ as the essence of their Life, The place of traditional marriage in African culture. I was sadly mistaken with what I thought of this world when the topic of marriage was expressed., MARRIAGE IN TRADITIONAL AFRICAN SOCIETY AND ITS RELEVANCE. If one may ask, would a European [or an American] subject himself to African traditional marriage rites after he has wedded? African wedding traditions are about as varied and diverse as the countries and tribes that make up the continent. Several studies have confirmed that. THE ROLE OF AFRICAN TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE RITES ON MARITAL STABILITY: A CASE OF THE ABAGUSII PEOPLE, KENYA January 2022 Project: Post-doctoral Research Authors: Esther Kerebi Nyamache The. They believe that the dead will need those things in the spirit . It is foundational. The Development of Cultural Unity In sub-Saharan Africa no overarching great tradition developed Sub-Saharan Africa is a vast territory of many small traditions. Historians know very little about the prehistory of these many small traditions and their peoples African cultures are highly diverse There is an estimated 2000 Isukha Traditional Marriage Processes and Rituals in Pre-Colonial Kenya. The bride price is negotiable but it is the role of the grooms family to persuade the betrothed his father to trim the items on the list. Our African Christians after performing marriage rites that the Europeans do not do are subjected to wedding that involves spending of fortune. There are consequences on those who breached this norm. The World Book Encyclopedia states that 40% of Africans identify as Christian while 45% are Muslim. Each community has a distinct political and social organization. Its customary gifts [and not a price for buying a bride] in appreciation of the gift of a bride. In a traditional family the parents contracted the marriage. The African marriage is an integral part of the whole African culture and was a rite of passage for every mature man and woman. These laws are cultural values. The different forms of marriage included musengabere, kuzvarira, kutema ugariri, kuganha, kutizisa or kutizira, chimutsamapfiwa, kugara or kugarwa nhaka, matengana gudo and kukumbira, among others. - The more wives a man has, the more political alliances he makes. To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds toupgrade your browser. Every country has their own way of marrying two people that want to spend the rest of their life together. When being married in the United states the man proposes or whatever the case is in the relationship, but in the Igbos relationship it is the family that plays part in the proposal. So, modern couples are usually raised in traditional society, but with a lot of influences from modern, often western, education, television, radio, and so on. In the traditional African society, older people were highly esteemed because of the important roles they played by helping to integrate the society, preserve its cultural values, transmit knowledge and skills, settle disputes and educate the young. It can also be called a total separation (Collins English Dictionary, 2011). Marriage in South Africa Wikipedia, Marriage in African Traditional Society UK Essays "Marriage in Africa was the means of ensuring reproduction, but things change", explained Dr Lynne Brydon in the opening remarks of the 2017 Cadbury Conference, an annual event held by the University of Birmingham's Department of African Studies and Anthropology (DASA). As an example, there is no such thing as a "cousin" in Zimbabwean culture. To maintain some family identity, parents named their children after themselves or other relatives or sometimes gave them African names., It is said that the Africa culture stands out more than any other culture In the World. The Role of Folk Music in Traditional African Society: The Igbo Experience 306 marriage rites, post natal ceremonies and other domestic duties. (c) Give six ways the Traditional Africans used to maintain their relationship with the society, there exists within the African traditional marriage system resources available, which if discerned and learned properly can help checkmate or even stalemate some of the ills it suffers today. Journal of African Interdisciplinary Studies. When looking at marriage as an institution, as opposed to a free-standing concept, marriage represents socially sanctioned behaviour. In each of these situations, African women are able to manipulate the existing system through woman-to-woman marriage in order to achieve higher social and economic status. In this presentation, the traditional African marriage is examined in relation to the involvement of family and community for sustenance from the perspective of Ama Ata Aido'sAnowa.Marriage in this context is a union which brings a man and a woman together for companionship and procreation. Christianity takes a lions share in the Zimbabwean religious market particularly when compared to other non-indigenous religions like Islam, Buddhism and Judaism. Among the Igbo marriage serves many different purposes other than unity between individuals and social status. The African marriage is full of deep-rooted culture that cannot be wished away. Although different societies in Africa celebrate marriage differently given the diversity of belief systems, it can be generally stated that marriage manifests a union of love, joy and great intimacy. In an African customary marriage, there is an arrangement between families where lobolo (bride wealth) was seen as a token of gratitude for the upbringing of the daughter, as well as a step to. Get ideas to incorporate into yours. African society, on the other hand, does not emphasize individual looks and lust as the primary motivation for marriage, but rather the basic focus is on building families and communities. BiAS Series, Kudzai Biri, Joachim Kuegler. Marriage takes many forms in Africa. 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