An overview of Stages of Traditional Marriage in Nigeria since Pre-colonial time: A case study of introduction Stage

Marriage entails the coming of a man and a woman into holy matrimony. Evidences of the idea of marriage are visible in the Traditional teachings and practises in Nigeria, Bible and Quran. In relation to traditional marriage in Nigeria, there are different stages involved in traditional marriage such as Introduction, Engagement and Reception.

A major step which takes place before the traditional marriage is the introduction. Introduction in relation to the marriage process simply denotes the meeting of the man and woman family, in order to get to know each other, for the male(Grooms)  family to make their intention known, which is that their son would like to marry the daughter of the family and to set a date for the marriage.

The earliest form of introduction has not been dated, but it is evident that it has always been practised when it comes to traditional marriage in Nigeria, thus this can be translated that introduction has been practised since pre-colonial time. Today’s blog is focused on the Introduction; it is just a summary and does not exhaust the activities that take place during introduction in the different group that would be looked at today.

Different ethnic group have their different practises when it comes to traditional marriage.  Today’s post would focus on 3 ethnic  groups namely Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa.

In Yorubaland, introduction entails the groom taking his family to his brides house bearing gifts ranging from drinks to food stuff to mention a few. During this visit, it is expected that the families would get to know each other and become familiar with themself. Herein, the date of wedding would be set, the attire and how elaborate the wedding should be would be discussed on this day.

The traditional rites of the Igbo’s are more sacred than other ethnic group, as an Igbo bride is expected to bring home a suitor who is closely knitted to her ethnic group.  In recent times a bride is allowed to bring her groom from another ethnic group in which the groom has to travel down to the bride’s village to introduce himself to his in-law. Then later the groom, his family and some elders would travel to the bride’s village to disclose their purpose for the visit, which is to marry, the daughter (bride) is then consulted if she knows them and is interested in him. After her reply, the families are entertained with palm wine, kolanut, garden egg etc. the grooms family in turn gifts to the host family and a meeting is scheduled to investigate the grooms family.   The next meeting includes the given of wife dowry and bridal list and a date for the marriage. From earliest time, this type of meeting was held under the tree by family members in the village, but this has changed slightly for those that their parents are not in the village, but it is mandatory to still go to the village to greet the elders.

The introduction in both Hausa and Fulani land is quiet similar, but still have their differences, in Hausa land, the introduction is in several stages, the first stage is the when the groom takes his friends to visit the bride’s  father for assessment, later the groom and his family would come to make their intentions known which is to marry a bride(ask for the girls hand in marriage) on this trip, the grooms family would carry along with them money which if accepted, it means proposal has been accepted. The next stage is the visitation of the female member of the grooms side to the female member of the bride side to set date for the wedding, deliberation are made, but the proposed date is not agreed upon until the bride’s family calls the grooms family to tell them that they have reached an agreement which is that the proposed date is okay.

Since pre-colonial time, there have been evidences of continuity and changes in the practises of traditional marriages in Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa. It is important to note that introduction since pre-colonial time has been a family affair, but overtime this has change as both friends and community members now attend the introduction. Additionally during introduction both in Hausaland, Yorubaland and Igboland, the bride family host their guest by feeding them. Also introduction has become an elaborate occasion filled with celebration in some places just like engagement.

Link to a similar post: https://nokview.wordpress.com/2017/01/21/the-pattern-of-family-and-marriage-in-pre-colonial-nigeria-society-influence-in-present-day-marriage-practice/