However, it is common to see some people taking part in all these forms of marriage. African culture and traditions are handed down from generation to generation. 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 slaves discouraged casual sexual relationships and placed a lot emphasis on marriage and stability. (Nafisa Baxamusa, 2011), In the essay The Radical Idea of Marrying for Love, Stephanie Coontz discusses the change marriage has made among the different cultures around the world and how it went from being an act that was necessary to something that was done for personal joy and fulfillment., To this day, these types of marriages happen all over the world, arranged marriages make up vastly the higher percentage in human history (Isaac). As a matter of fact, before any Church wedding commences in African or of African descent the clergy would ascertain that traditional rites had been fulfilled. In a traditional family the parents contracted the marriage. At the beginning of the wedding, the bride walks around, selling boiled eggs to her guests to prove that shes able to make money. In 2009, Home Affairs wanted to change the law so that it would be a legal . But in the name of Churchanity [not Christianity], most Africans appear to regard European wedding superior to our rich African traditional rites. . 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. Marriage in South Africa exists in a number of different forms, as a result of the diversity of religions and cultures in the country. In a landmark ruling, the high court last year recognised that, in accordance with Nandi customary law on woman-to-woman marriages, Monica Jesang Katam could inherit her late wife's property . 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. What is new is the reaffirmation of marriage vows during marriage anniversaries. Cambridge Development Initiative. It is found that there are many differences between the two of these cultures. 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 Zimbabwe, the "family" traditionally refers to an expansive. Cambridge-Africa Programme. Journal of African Interdisciplinary Studies. Polygyny is that of which is practiced in the Maasai culture, as an ideal that is achieved only by that of the elder men of the tribe. As both a sacrament and covenant, marriage is traceable back to its origin, God, who is Love. This paper examines union patterns of young women (aged 15-29) in more than two dozen countries in sub-Saharan Africa, with the objective of documenting and analyzing the extent and nature of the. Fewer said having their relationship recognized in a religious ceremony (30%), financial stability (28%) or legal rights and benefits (23% . Unfortunately, as a result ofthemen being much older at the time of marriage, most women become widows, knowing that it is understood that they should never remarry again. The size of the clan could differ from one to the other. 6. Karen Tranberg Hansen, "Married Women and Work: Explorations from an Urban Case," African Social Research zo (1975), 777-799; Karen Tranberg Hansen, "Negotiating Sex and Gender in Urban Zambia," Journal of Southern African Studies 0o, z (1984), 219-238. with some recent contrasting work on African Americans. They shall witness, bless and rejoice for Gods fulfillment, support and encourage them as they pass through new experiences of starting life together. Chapter 3 investigated the Chapter 3 investigated the different reasons for divorce among the population. 2 pages, 557 words. A man in South Africa may have more than one spouse but a South African woman may only have one spouse. It is a given that it has come to stay going with the way gay pride parades and marches have been held around the world especially in countries where it has been legalised like the United Kingdom, the Netherlands to mention a few. Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link. This article looks at Shona cultural and spiritual beliefs that promote masculinity and considers the negative impacts on the sexuality of women and, in turn, the ongoing HIV and AIDS pandemic. The African marriage is an integral part of the whole African culture and was a rite of passage for every mature man and woman. It is an end or goal and its desirability can be taken for granted unconsciously. 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. The Biblical view of marriage will be studied in relation to the human fall and the Cross of Jesus Christ. Academia.edu no longer supports Internet Explorer. Thus, it recommended that cultural practices that are harmful to women should be discarded, The wedding tradition came along with colonization and the inception of Christianity in Africa. The African marriage is an integral part of the whole African culture and was a rite of passage for every mature man and woman. 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. After the traditional marriage ceremony, they went for Court Registry ceremony and ended up in Church wedding. 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. moral confusion and conflict that presently confront African Christians at marriage. I paid my toll more than twenty years ago. Tel: 8328813929 (Cell). Second, the continued Eurocentric descriptions and characterization of the African traditional family as some what depraved lead to the use of such terms as bride price, avoidance social taboos, segregated relationships, lack of love and tenderness in African marriages and families. Even though seminars, programmes, conferences, electronic and print media have made people aware of HIV and AIDS, the cultural barriers supported by traditional African religions and Christian religious beliefs have taken women hostage, making them vulnerable to Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), HIV and AIDS. 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). Marriage has, despite demographic and political shifts, significant value for the individual, families and the society (Nock, 2005). The scenario presented in this passage depicts a traditional marriage ceremony. 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 Blessed be the God of all creation for being in the business of creating marriages as well as rebuilding and amending them. Email: weefreeministries@yahoo.com, CONFLICTS AFRICAN MARRAIGES FACE IN WESTERN CULTURE, CONFLICTS AFRICAN MARRIAGES FACE IN WESTERN CULTURE. Little wonder Mary felt so concerned when the marriage ran out of wine. 3. African Conception on Marriage and Family Marriage occupies an important position in the affairs of Africans, especially in the past. 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. The findings have then been generalized to the rest of the U.S. population (Bean, Crane, & . The Jewish practice is akin to African traditional marriage rites. The Role of Folk Music in Traditional African Society: The Igbo Experience 306 marriage rites, post natal ceremonies and other domestic duties. This paper is from Masculinities under Neoliberalism, edited by Andrea Cornwall, Frank G. Karioris & Nancy Lindisfarne, pp 165-182. In fact the survival of the family and the future of marriage depended a Even when they fought their ways through years of conflicts, thank God they have something to celebrate. 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. 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? When the diviner pronounces the . With the popularity of Christianity throughout Zimbabwe in mind, the article uses 1 Corinthians 7:4 (The wifes body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband) as the text that can be used for the liberation and empowerment of all women in the face of HIV and AIDS. Get ideas to incorporate into yours. moving away from patriarchal . It takes faith that requires belief in miracle to pledge ones life to another. To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds toupgrade your browser. In general, all ceremonies use the same principles. Unfortunately the status of Zimbabwean women is still in a sad state due to the prevalence of masculinist and patriarchal norms that negatively portray Zimbabwean women as subordinates and men as dominating all aspects of life. Bibliography Hopkins, E.W.. (1918). Marriage in Traditional African Society and Its Televance. 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. African culture and traditions are handed down from generation to generation. The ceremony opportune members of both families to know and familiarized themselves. Constructing the Meaning of Childlessness within the Luo Community of Western Kenya. 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. 19, 1: 23-40. Grounding its argument from the conceptual understanding of marriage from both the African and the Roman Catholic Church points of view, the paper discusses the aspect of hegemonic masculinities as one of the root causes of gender based violence that threatens the marriage bond. 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. So unhappy is the woman who fails to get children. No gain saying a relation of Mary Jesus mother was the host and Mary, Jesus and his disciples were duly invited. (NICATD, Crystalrlombardo) There can be many pros and cons to arranged marriages. in life. These approaches to marital . (1977: 113) Marriage in the traditional patriarchal society of Africa is performed with great importance and dignity. Women in Islam versus Women in the Judeo-Christianity: The Myth & The Reality By Dr. Sherif Abdel Azeem. So unhappy is the woman who fails to get children. As Siqwana-Ndulo (1998) stated, the institutions of family, marriage and household in African societies revolved around community. 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 My parents were together for 15 years before they divorced but before the split I was able to witness the idea of a family. INTRODUCTION Similar to some traditional American marriages the Igbo marriages have many customs and face new trends that alter the norm of society. Africans should evolve reforms that promote our culture and reduce stress and cost that appears to debar most young people from entering into the institution. The purpose of this research is to show that until and unless there is a paradigm shift on the beliefs, teachings and practices of apostolic sects in terms of a deeper HIV and AIDS awareness programmes targeting these sects, the Zimbabwean women will continue to suffer. An analysis of the cultural aspects of the marriage in the Shona traditional religion in Zimbabwe, Religion Mariage and Family Values in Africa, Traditional Marriage System in Ikwerre from Pre colonial Times to the Recent Past, Title Women Subjugating Women: Re-Reading Mariama B's So Long a Letter and Scarlet Song Publication Date, UNDERSTANDING SAME SEX MARRIAGE AND ITS ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS ON AFRICAN VALUE SYSTEM: A CRITICAL STUDY OF THE NIGERIAN SOCIETY, is a Senior Research Fellow and Head of Religions and Philosophy Unit at the Institute of African Studies, Contemporary Zongo Communities in Accra Interfaith Marriages: The Case of Muslims and Christians in Accra, Elisheva Baumgarten, Judaism, in Don S. Browning and Marcia J. Bunge, eds., Children and Childhood in World Religions: Primary Sources and Texts (New Brunswick: Rutgers University Press, 2020), 15-81, SEXUAL DISCOURSE IN WOLE SOYINKA'S 'THE LION AND THE JEWEL' AND LOLA SHONEYIN'S 'THE SECRET LIVES OF BABA SEGI'S WIVES', Constructing the Meaning of Childlessness within the Luo Community of Western Kenya, BiAS 28 / ERA 6: "The Wounded Beast?" She is given the task to find her groom in a crowd of guests while she greets them. Contact: Some slaves tried to continue practices, such as polygamy, that were a part of traditional African cultures but were unsuccessful. The list of issues that defy a conclusive reasoning is non exhaustive especially within the context of the same sex marriage debate and they include - the socio-cultural and psychological disconnect that children are exposed to when their parents are gay or transgender, the ever evolving definition of a family unit, the inadequacy of the laws available to take care but largely vague in interpretation, who raises the children in a same sex marriage setting among others. To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds toupgrade your browser. You can download the paper by clicking the button above. Its customary gifts [and not a price for buying a bride] in appreciation of the gift of a bride. In this setting the families and relations of both couples gather in the brides family compound to celebrate their daughter and son entering into a marriage covenant and institution. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. A bstract: The celebration of marriage manifests a union of love, joy and great intimacy. An Election Year Guide to Mitt Romneys Religion, Woman in Islam by Dr. Sherif Abdel Azeem, Ph.D. Queens University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, Girls' experiences of religious and cultural practices: Human rights violations, Macho Masculinity: A Snare in the Context of HIV among the Manyika of Zimbabwe, (Re)producing an elite. Several studies have confirmed that. kinship. Filed Under: Essays Tagged With: Family. 4. According to Mbiti (1969 . African marriage and family should be conducted according to the Christ-event at the Cross. No matter her beauty or qualities, her failure to bear children is worse than committing genocide. In practice, same sex marriage is argued from the viewpoint of being a human rights issue but this project work will try to sieve through the raging controversy which has greeted this debate from both moral, political and even from proponents of the traditional family institutions. 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. While a single lesson plan cannot fully explore the variety and complexity of African life, in this lesson students can gain insight into the lives of some black women in Sub-Saharan Africa by adopting a perspective that is in part traditional, based on the arts of African village life, and in part. 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