The first stage of this process is usually known as 'knock door'.Here the groom and his family notifies the bride's family of their coming and their intention.This stage usually involves the groom taking along with him his family and some giftss(wine/whiskey,palm wine,plantains and meat) to the home of the bride.Present for the 'knock door' are: Groom and his family;the bride's family and 'Fon' or the traditional ruler(or his representative).The bride is usually hidden away by her family so she is not present when the 'knock door' begins.The groom's family including the groom are welcome by the bride's family who then pretend not to know the reason for their visit.The groom is then given room to speak during which he makes clear his intentions to the bride's family.At this point,there is applause from those present,then a word from the 'Fon'.After this,a group of women including the bride are brought to the presence of the groom and his family.These group including the bride, have their heads to knees covered with cloth.The groom is then summoned to select his wife from the group presented by looking only at the legs of the women.For every wrong choice by the groom he pays a sum of five thousand francs.Once the right person has been chosen by the groom, the gifts brought are being given to the bride's family.Then the bride's family gives food and wine to the groom's family for them to celebrate the coming together of the two families.A date is then agreed upon which the bride shall be brought to the groom's home and left there.The groom's family then gives the bride's price to the bride's family.This bride's price could be in cash or kind but has a money value of a hundred thousand francs.This stage is usually concluded by the 'Fon' who congratulates both families. The Final stage of traditional marriage is the bringing of the bride by her family, escorted by the groom's family to the groom's home.In this stage ,the bride's face is covered with a linen loin so as to hide her face from onlookers, since it usually spells ill luck for the bride's face to be viewed by others before her husband who is waiting for her in his residence.The bride and her family stop at intervals along the road and will only continue moving if the groom's family throws a ten thousand francs note at the bride's feet.Once the bride reaches the groom's home,there is celebration and vows are beign exchanged by the couples.After this,the bride and groom are tradionally married hence are husband and wife.From this point,Church and/or court marriage can then be done.
Traditional marriges are very important in the african society since it is through it that families come together,tradition and cultures are passed down to generations.People can not get married in church or Court without performing traditional marriage since the society has to accept their coming together.If two people are leaving together without traditional marriage, it is a taboo and if the women's father accepts this,he is accused of betraying his family.And it shall be said he has sold his daughter.
For more articles about African or Camerron (Mankon) traditions contact:
judexco27@yahoo.co.uk
|
|
|
last viewed articles
