2011-08-22

African Culture: The Yoruba Marriage Tradition

African culture and tradition is very vast. Marriage as a cultural institution also has different interpretations and processes amongst traditions. The Yoruba people are one of the three main ethnic groups in Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria. The marriage system of these people is quite an interesting one. Though western cultures have changed things, the marriage tradition of the Yoruba people remains a fascinating experience. Culturally, a man no matter how brave is not allowed to approach a woman to make marriage proposals. Obtaining business loans this day is far much easier than the marriage process of the Yoruba people. When a man sees a woman he is interested in, he is not expected to ‘man-up’. The right thing to do is to go home to his parents and tell them about the girl.

The family of the man then makes personal research about the woman’s family background and history. The research includes finding the negatives and positives about the woman’s lineage. The result of this search determines if the man’s family will proceed with arrangements. When the woman’s family has been scrutinised, the family of the man appoints a middle man. These middle men are called ‘Alarina’. It is the job of the middle man to go to the woman’s family to make inquiries about their daughter and to formally introduce the man’s family. The family of the wife to be also conducts their search and once they are satisfied, they call on the Alarina to proceed with arrangements. The Alarina remains the medium between the families involved until the wedding day. Every form of communication between the in-laws has to go through him. Such is the demand of the Yoruba culture.

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