Home
SOCIAL STUDIES
Posted by Chester Morton / Thursday 28 July 2016 / No comments
The importance of traditional marriage in Ghana
A traditional wedding scene |
Introduction
A marriage ceremony is a rite performed to bring man and
woman together as husband and wife. In the Ghanaian society, this marriage
ceremony does not only involve the two individuals who are in love. It involves
the families of both the man and the woman.
IMPORTANCE OF MARRIAGE
CEREMONY
Preservation of culture
Marriage ceremonies are mostly conducted based on the
blueprint that has been used over the years. Sometimes, there are variations that have found their way into the practice but the mainframe remains. The marriage ceremonies help to preserve the culture
of the people.
Transmission of culture
The marriage ceremonies include activities like the
consultation of families, presentation of bridewealth by the groom’s family, and
the acceptance of the same by the bride’s family. It also involves the presentation
of the woman to the family of the groom. These activities are transmitted
from generation to generation. Therefore, traditional marriage ceremonies are transmitted across generation.
Honour and respect
The marriage ceremony serves as an honour and dignity to the
couple and their families. In the eyes of the people, the couple is responsible.
They are ready to take up responsibilities in marriage, this gives them social
recognition and dignity in society.
Promotes moral uprightness
It allows for legitimate sex. It is expected of the couple to
have sex only with each other and not with any other. This is especially
expected of the wife. This is a traditional way of controlling illicit sex and
adultery of both the man and woman.
Legitimizes children born to the family
Marriage ceremony legitimizes children that are born into society. Marriage gives the children a sense of belonging to a clan and gives
them the right to inherit their parent’s property.
Companionship
Marriage ceremonies give a legitimate means by which people
get companionship. It also helps to provide moral and financial support to the
couple. The individual gets the opportunity to legitimately have sex with the
opposite sex. The couple shares both moments of sorrow and joy together.
Unity
Marriage is not only between the couple but rather between
the two families. The ceremony together unites the families of the couple. They
share every moment of joy and get to know each other. In recent times, there
are marriages across tribes and regions so the ceremony brings tribes and ethnic groups together and promotes peace
and unity between the two tribes which inures to the nation at large.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
1. a. What is marriage?
b. In which five
ways is marriage significant in Ghanaian society?
<<Back to Home Page
Go to other topics in Social Studies>>
Go to the list of other subjects>>
<<Back to Home Page
Go to other topics in Social Studies>>
Go to the list of other subjects>>
Labels:
SOCIAL STUDIES
Related Posts