Each marriage creates an alliance between or within kinship groups, and the children of the union will inherit property, rights, and responsibilities from their kin. Everywhere the basic family unit is the elementary or nuclear family, a small domestic group made up of a husband, his wife, and their children. Introduction to africa family, kinship, and domestic. Below are the marriage forms that are practiced in ghana. Trends in marriage and divorce figure 1 lays out some facts about marriage and divorce in the united states over the last 150 years. As you evaluate your own marriage by reading this, tease out the couple from the individuals within the couple. A man in south africa may have more than one spouse but a south african woman may only have one spouse. Before you tie the knot, you should take the time to research what the different types are so that you and your partner can make the right choice about your union. South africa common law provides that a marriage without an antenuptial contract results in the parties being married in community of property. Certain types of assets are however excluded from the joint estate. Similarly exogamous marriage may be divided into four sub types such as gotra, pravar, sapinda. Marriage in community of property is the most common marriage system in south africa. In this type of marriage or in this form of marriage, the husband and wife act a lot like business partners. Different types of marriage exist in the nigeria today.
Marriage in community of property marriage in community of property is the most common marriage system in south africa. This is as a result of the different geopolitical zones embedded in the country. Understanding the financial implications of your marriage. If we are going to speak of traditional african concepts and customs regarding marriage and the family, a few clarifications are called for. Marriage, on which the family is founded, and to protect it against attack art. Marriage contracts south africa prenuptial agreements. And as it applies to various countries, there are different types of marriages in south africa. Africa including my area, ika north east local government, area of delta state. In south africa, the law provides for respecting the marriage practices of traditional marriages, whereby a person might be married as young as 12 for females and 14 for males enhancing the practice nawal, 2006. Dec 29, 2015 traditional marriage in ghana, the rites and requirements, marriages being a world wide affair in which the blacks and the whites embark on interchangeably not minding the distances, languages, and cultural differences provided the love is there.
Right at the outset, we have stated that kinship marriage and family are inextricably interwoven with each other. This type of marriage is found among some tribes of new guinea and africa, b on the basis of choice of mate or on the basis of rules of mate selection. Three types of african marriages informative speech plan. In our discussion on kinship we have in fact discussed about marriage and family. May, 2015 another way to look at the 3 types of marriages, is to think about it in terms of the orientation you take inside your marriage. A reflection on the african traditional values of marriage and sexuality dr. The customtraditional marriage varies in different countries of africa. Major types of marriage in nigeria updated 2019 legit. Historically the legal definition of marriage, derived from the romandutch law, was limited to monogamous. Traditional african approaches in the light of natural values, and of modern secular attitude. These are marriages in community of property, marriages out of community of property, which are subject to the accrual system, and marriages out of community of property, excluding accrual. Nigeria as a country is blessed with various languages and ethnic groups. In this chapter mention was made on some of the ceremonies accompanied with birth in various ways.
An in community of property or out of community of property, which is further characterized either with or without the accrual system. Major types of marriage in south africa updated 2019 wiki sa. Ngundu abstract this article traces the historical and theological development, discussion and practice of the europeanoriented tradition of church marriages in africa. Marriage in africa was the means of ensuring reproduction, but things change, explained dr lynne brydon in the opening remarks of the 2017 cadbury conference, an annual event held by the university of birminghams department of african studies and anthropology dasa. It was civil in the sense that this type of marriage was sanctioned by the state in that it was conducted according to the marriage act. High incidence rate of child marriage in nepal among south asian. For example, lobola is a centuryold marriage tradition, still common throughout africa. A reflection on the african traditional values of marriage. The meaning of marriage m arriage is a unique relationship different from all others.
To change this default position, the parties to the marriage must enter into a contract before they get married. Within that context, i use traditional in the sense of what was customary up to the time of independence, i. Pdf african customary marriages in south africa and the. I know this is going to sound a bit controversial but contrary to popular belief, arranged marriages do have some pros in the midst of the cons. Conversion from a custom ary marriage to a civil marriage. Parties should be allowed, in th e case of a dual marriage, namely, a marriage celebrated by both customary and civil rit es, to make an express declaration as to which law should regulate their marriage. Women are important because it is they who procreate children. It further obliges state parties to ensure that the betrothal and the marriage of a child shall have no legal effect and all necessary actions, including legislation, shall be taken to specify a minimum age for marriage, and to make the registration of marriages compulsory. It is seen as the traditional form of marriage and is also still the most common type of marriage entered into today. An in community of property or out of community of property, which is further characterized either with or without the accrual system in community of property marriage. Marriage is a union of a man and a woman to become husband and wife. Introduction marriage before the age of 18 is a reality for many young women.
Customary marriages are governed by the customary law marriages act the requirements stipulated in this act have only been amended by the case of loveness mudzuri and another vs the minister of justice and others which stated that parties intending to get married must be 18 years and above. A perspective on marriages and civil unions in south. In other words, if you do nothing other than get married before a marriage officer, you are married in community of property. Page 1 of 18 28 february 1964 26 march 1968 this version applied as from 28 february 1964 to 26 march 1968, i.
Brihc scholar carmen thompson reports on the cadbury conference 2017. Any attempt to change this protection would be a radical change in the meaning of marriage the foundation stone of society in the document that expresses the foundational values of the irish state. Some types of marriage occur as a result of decisions made by one or both involved parties good as well as bad decisions. Thus, if you dont draw up a contract before your marriage it will be considered to be one that is in community of property. Mission churches and african customary marriage a history of church marriages and a case for an african christian customary marriage ceremony by onesimus a. Historically the legal definition of marriage, derived from the romandutch law, was limited to monogamous marriages between oppositesex couples. Other types have been forced upon them for one reason or another family obligations, life. Now you know at least four main forms of marriages in nigeria customary marriage, traditional marriage, religious wedding, and civil wedding. Types of marriage in nigeria, their process and implications. Polygamy means that a male older than 18 years of age can marry more than one wife. The sacrifices which are performed when a women delivered safely or otherwise was also highlighted upon. In subsaharan africa, a staggering 40 percent of girls marry before age 18, and african countries account for 15 of the 20 countries with the highest rates of child marriage. Cohabitation, marriage and remarriage patterns in africa.
We want to see how its practiced in ghana and what it takes to marry from there, especially if. Ethnographic background the moba and the gurma are concentrated in the extreme rural north of togo. In fact we are here because our parents got married to each other. Africa is home to innumerable tribes, ethnic and social groups, some representing very large populations consisting of millions of people, others are smaller groups of a few thousand. According to the marriage act of 1961, there are three different types of legal marriage. Christian view of both types of marriages in traditional thinking, ancestors are an essential link in a hierarchical chain of powers stretching from this world to the spirit world. Introduction to africa family, kinship, and domestic groupings the family is a universal group throughout africa, with many different forms and functions. The first is that the context of this article is subsahara africa. The various marriage types below are all examples of different marriage situations you could possibly find in africa.
The 3 types of marriage in south africa find an attorney. In many parts of the world parents encourage the marriage of their daughters while they are still children in hopes that the marriage will benefit them both financially and socially, while also. On marriage in community of property a joint estate is formed with the parties as joint administrators. Most likely, they both work fulltime jobs and share a lot of the household and childrearing responsibilities equally. If you want to legitimize your relationship, just choose the most suitable type. In almost all societies marriage is an institutionalised social relationship of crucial. Types of marriage, meaning and types of marriage, forms of. All marriages in south africa are automatically in community of property. Types of marriage and marital stability 1 affected by the type of marriage and whether a woman is the first wife in a polygynous marriage.
The african marriage is an integral part of the whole african culture and was a rite of passage for every mature man and woman. There are several different types of marriage in existence today. Basically all marriages are in community of property, unless the spouses exclude community of property in a contract. Nov 07, 2011 there are three types of marriages recognized by law in zambia, these are 1. Customary marriages can be monogamous or polygamous.
The study replicated the number and characteristics of marital types found in predominantly europeanamerican marital samples, including the percentage of africanamerican marriages in each type. Insofar as african traditional religion can be defined by specific religious actions, the cult of the ancestors is its most common and essential activity. Marriage in traditional african society and its televance. Arranged marriage statistics vary depending on who you ask or the sources you reference. There are three types of matrimonial property systems in south africa from which preweds can choose.
In marriage, the husband can have as many wives as he wants and can have extramarital affairs as a bonus. In community of property all marriages in south africa are automatically in community of property. This involves administration of the marital union by a religious leader, such as imam, or a religious minister. To inform my audience of the advantages and disadvantages of three different types of marriages. Marriage marriage is sacred and a married woman is treated with respect, in fact the desired destination of most shona women is marriage. The recognition of customary marriages act, 120 of 1998, came into operation on 15 november 2000, and gives full legal recognition to customary marriages in south africa. Throughout the continent, the diversity of systems reflects the traditions, religions, and economic circumstances of a wide variety of distinct cultures. Nov 22, 2017 types of marriage in nigeria, their process and implications nov 22, 2017 6 comments this article on types of marriages and wedding ceremonies in nigeria will answer some questions that arise when planning a wedding in nigeria as regard what type of ceremonies to have, their implications and whats necessary and whats optional. Arranged marriages are just one of many marriage patterns found among african wedding traditions. This mix is also evident in south africa s marriage laws which can roughly be divided into two categories, viz.
A religious viewpoint introduction africa is one continent with several worlds. An essential characteristic of marriage is the biological fact that a man and a woman can join together as male and female in a union that is orientated to the generation of new life. The incidence of child marriage is not only in nepal but also in the world. Below, we explain the three main types of marriage in ghana. The institution of marriage, quite like that of the family, is universal. This system requires that a price be paid for the right to marry a woman. In this case a man sends a middle man shibukombe to ask for permission to marry from a chosen family. We can help you choose which type of marriage contract is best suited to your circumstances. But in all forms of the marriages allowed in major parts in ghana, customary marriage. Ending child marriage in africa human rights watch. Jun 27, 2017 brihc scholar carmen thompson reports on the cadbury conference 2017. This mix is also evident in south africas marriage laws which can roughly be divided into two categories, viz. The type, functions, and characteristics of marriage vary from culture to culture, and can change over time.
In other words, look at this from the i perspective versus the we perspective. Marriage out of community of property subject to the accrual system. According to the marriage act of 1961, there are three different types of legal. Customary marriages in terms of indigenous law, common law mariages and marriages according to muslimislamic or hindu rites.
Arranged marriage statistics african wedding traditions. Fawzia khan in south africa we have 3 different types of marriage regimes. This case was dealing with a provision in the marriages act chapter 5. A marriage out of community of property with the accrual system. One of the most affected was the marriage practice.
Traditionally the shona had various forms of marriage that were designed to guarantee social cohesion. For a marriage to be statutory, the marriage must be lawful, it must be with the consent of both parents and the parties involved, prohibited degree of consanguinity and affinity. There are currently three matrimonial property regimes in south africa. Within that context, i use traditional in the sense of what was customary up. It is divided into 36 states, with entirely different languages from the other and that is why it is regarded as the giant of africa.
The different forms of marriage included musengabere, kuzvarira, kutema ugariri, kuganha, kutizisa or kutizira, chimutsamapfiwa, kugara or kugarwa nhaka, matengana gudo and kukumbira, among. Islamic laws and customs have shaped the institution of marriage in north africa and in some nations of western and eastern africa. With this type of contract, assets that are accumulated during your marriage are jointly owned. Apart from that, nuptial contracts can exist between intending couples and on this, there are different conditions which are associated with this contract based on what the couples agree to. In africa the institution of marriage varies as widely as the many thousands of ethnic groups and cultures. Endogamy is divided into four sub types such as caste, subcaste, varna and tribal endogamy. It is mostly in south asia, africa, and latin america. Statutory marriage under customary law, marriages are contracted according to customs of the contracting parties. Thomas hylland eriksen very rightly says that marriage isessential for human survival. For many people, this is an ideal option because, according to. Traditionalcustomary marriage in ghana this type of marriage is based on tradition, and existed long before marriage under ordinancewhitechurch weddings, which were introduced by western influence.
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