location western africa bordering the gulf of guinea between benin and cameroon nigeria
TRANSCRIPT
Location Western Africa Bordering the Gulf of Guinea Between Benin and Cameroon
NigeriaNigeria
Nigeria Happiest Country in the World According to the 1999-2001 World Values
Survey
Family-life and culture are more important than material wealth
Nigerian Marriage Introduction to Nigerian Marriage
Introduction to Parents/Engagement Party
Traditional Marriage
Life after Marriage
Introduction to Nigerian Marriage Types
Civil marriage
Religious marriage Christian: white wedding Muslim: polygamy acceptable
Traditional marriage Stages
Stages of Traditional Marriage Dating and Courtship
Western dating and courtship not common Customs and norms
Family involvement Arranged marriages Teenage women marrying older men
Introduction to parents/engagement party The “wooing” process
Traditional Marriage Customs varies from group to group Dancing and music are common
Introduction to Parents/Engagement Party Introduction
Confirmation from daughter
Bride price
Entertainment
Costume
Introduction A ceremony that introduces the bride’s family to the groom’s family
Takes place a few days before wedding
Confirmation from the daughter The bride gives her decision to accept or
decline marriage
Bride price Presented to bride’s family after
confirmation
Introduction to Parents/Engagement Party (contd.) Entertainment
The families come together & become
formally acquainted The groom’s family presents gifts to the bride’s
family Assorted foods & drinks
Costume
Traditional Marriage Introduction of the Costume
Stages/Significance of Ceremony
Entertainment
The Search
Presentation of the Bride & Groom—1st dance
Marriage Blessing by Parents
Gifts
Introduction of the Costume Gele- a popular and indispensable headdress,
an item of Nigerian identity Glamorous Colorful Big
Tying can be very tricky & frustrating
If improperly tied, Gele can make a day miserable No mistakes, must have the best style for Traditional Wedding Tied a day or two in advanced
Who ties the Gele? Friend or Family member Local Market for a fee
“Proud is the Head that Carries the Gele”
Stages & Significance of the Traditional Marriage Ceremony Significance
Celebrated and observed before the arrival of the Europeans Observed in the village setting, so that all the members can
celebrate with the couple and their respective families Stages
No dating, but an investigation The “knocking of the door” The “asking”
Liquor to “open the mouth” of the soon-to-be father-in-law Groom’s family leaves with a wedding list, including the bride price Wedding date set
Before the wedding All items on the wedding list should be fulfilled
On the wedding day “Blocked” by teenage boys “Blocked” by women of village Groom arrives at bride’s house
Entertainment Food & drinks
Offered to groom’s family & friends, upon arrival
Also, offered to the entire audience Comedian/MC and dancers
Keep crowd alive Dancers showcased to potential suitors
The Search After refreshments The bride’s family asks, “Why is the
groom’s family there?” The bride’s family brings out different
women
Presentation of the Bride & Groom—the 1st dance The bride is found The bride and groom accepts and
drink They dance The audience sprays them with money
Marriage Blessing by Parents Both the bride and groom’s parents bless
marriage by drinking all of the wine that was given to them by the couple
Gifts The new couple are presented with gifts They dance together again
Nigerian Traditional Marriage Video http
://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJb_-WTAKDY
Life after Marriage Children
Work
Polygamy
Divorce
Children Having many children is fashionable & is a status symbol Most families consist of 10 or more children Female Children
Socialized to serve & be subordinate to males (patriarchal authority)
Polygamy Women dependent upon each other
Relationships without the emotional elements
Work Females
Take care of children and home (housewives) Mostly farmers & traders Most females work now, before 80% stayed
home
Work (contd.) Males
Providers
Divorce Not common Women are condemned
Conclusion Diffusion model
Adopt Nigerian practices to better our society Emphasize:
Family Culture Sharing Unity
Over material wealth
Sources http://www.anyiams.com/marriage_customs.htm http://www.everyculture.com/Ma-Ni/Nigeria.html http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/africa/
3157570.stm http://www.topweddinglinks.com/
ethnicweddings/nigerian.html http://village.africanpath.com/profiles/blog/show?
id=1555598%3ABlogPost%3A46450