marriage customs in the nigerian culture by: megan slabicki
TRANSCRIPT
Marriage Customs in the Nigerian
CultureBy: Megan Slabicki
Polygamy
• Polyandry is taboo
• More wives means greater wealth• Able to supply
• Able to support
Choosing a Wife
• From another village
• 3 ways• Arranged before birth
• Relatives could choose during childhood
• Man and woman can choose
Male Maturity
• Not liking childhood stories
• Preferring not to clean or cook
• Taking bigger risks
• Spending time with father and elders
• No childhood perks
The First Step
• Family friend knocks on female’s door
• Presents kola nuts and palm wine
• Intermediary proposes
• Family gives answer
The Inquiry
• Family, friends, and gods are consulted• Genealogy
• Social standing
• Medical histories
• Family history
• Continues through entire marriage process
The Probation
• Groom proves his family worthy
• Bride lives with groom’s family
• Bride given tasks by mother-in-law
• Returns with gifts if she passes
Bride Price
• Groom’s family goes to bride’s family
• Not too high
• Gift for raising a beautiful daughter
• Usually money, branches, and goats
Marriage
• Considered married upon payment
• Large feast in bride’s compound
• 70-100 people
• Couple dance and guests throw money
Christianity
• Formal ceremony
• Bride dances in followed by single female friends
• Guests bless her by throwing money
• Large feast after ceremony
• Includes entire village
Living Situation
• Man lives in Obi
• Women live in huts on land• Children stay with birth mothers
• Men do not stay with women
Food
• Women made food
• Father first to eat
• Children helped in fields
First Wife
• Oldest
• Gets something first when offered
• Wears an anklet for husband’s titles
Bearing Children
• Man sleeps with women in their respective huts
• Males preferred
Works Cited
• "Ibo Marriage and Courtship." Ibo Marriage and Courtship. N.p., n.d. Web.
• "Marriage and Family Structure - Things Fall Apart." Marriage and Family Structure - Things Fall Apart. N.p., n.d. Web
• "Things Fall Apart Project." Search Results -. N.p., n.d. Web.
• "Traditional Family Ceremonies." Igbo Family Ceremonies and Traditions. N.p., n.d. Web.