…there is fascinating — and compelling — research suggesting that married people enjoy better health than single people. For example, Lobola is a century-old marriage tradition, still common throughout Africa. This is the one of the agreements realized at a meeting hosted by the African Union Campaign to end child marriage that took place in Johannesburg last December. Marriage and family insulate the individual from the government, providing spaces of autonomy that state forces are trying to shrink. It is designed to fulfill the social, psychological, biological and religious aims. Married men reported less depression and more overall happiness than single men. Secondly, the Akan have a structure called "Patrilineal Structure" in which was formed from a lineage of the father's side ( Schwimmer, 2003). The biggest advantage is that Africans who have arranged marriages have lower divorce rates. It goes back to the simple factor of two people, a husband and wife, working together. Initiation was and is still important today and in the traditional African communities in boys from the passage from childhood to adulthood.The shedding of blood onto the ground binds the initiates with the God and the ancestors. The African continent experienced its own form of training and learning before it was colonized and even before the arrival of the missionaries. In African societies, the people see marriage as proof that a man is mature and is capable of taking care of the family he will build with his wife. Still, according to an article from Harvard Health Publishing. A civil marriage is a marriage that can only be entered into between a man and a woman. For such a union to be binding, it must abide by the customary marriage act and requirements. live longer. Dowry therefore signified that the woman was in a permanent marriage relationship. C) There are a few advantages that arranged marriages have. To make progress in the coming years and with 2030 fast approaching, Africa must ensure a strong multisectoral coordination that better links child marriage to other sectors, particularly education. For instance, if one partner dies unexpectedly, the other partner often has financial claims regarding the shared property and other things that they have built together. In May 2014, the African Union (AU) launched a campaign to end child marriage in Africa, by enhancing continental awareness of its . It is most preferred for the bride price to be as low as possible because according to Islamic teachings, the lesser the amount paid as the bride's dowry, the more blessings that will come to the. This system requires that a price be paid for the right to marry a woman. 3 subjected to stabilize amidst sporadic societal changes emanating from modernization and globalization. Therefore, a person from the modern non-traditional family will try his best to improve his own life and will disregard the needs of other people. ADVERTISEMENTS: (2) Marriage is a permanent bond between husband and wife. It creates stability in traditional marriages It is a common sight to see brides running away from their marital homes due to pressures from within and without. It is important to note that non registration does not make the marriage invalid, [10] and there is no penalty for non-registration. If your marriage ends but lasted at least 10 years, you may still be able to receive Social Security benefits on your former spouse's record. This practice is still used extensively in contemporary African society and has raised both critical and . To make progress in the coming years and with 2030 fast approaching, Africa must ensure a strong multisectoral coordination that better links child marriage to other sectors, particularly education. 1. a marriage in accordance with the classical norms of a given culture, generally for the main reason of establishing a family unit.Even though prenuptial traditions differ in various society's, a traditional marriage usually follows a time of courtship, public proclamation of wedding plans, and a marriage ceremony. Although the definition of child marriage includes boys, most children married at <18 years of age are girls. 1974). African drums have played an important role in in traditional African communities for communication purposes like emergency meetings, announcing war, the beginning and finish of harvest seasons and the death of important people in their respective societies like kings and chiefs. 4. Oral literature encompasses fables, folktales, legends myths and proverbs. Examples of traditional literature are divination text, drum language, poem, appellation, tales, songs, riddles, proverbs, myths and legends. . Initiate receives special education from their sponsors during seclusion. Moreover, marriage often also implies the . Reasons why initiation was important in the African Traditional Society. It is one of the highest honours confirming a bride's value and womanhood; giving a husband the full rights to the sexual . Marriage not only supports good over evil but It also has the advantage of two people working together. These are: The two must be above 18 years old. Both must consent to the union under customary law. The relationship between spouses also boosts social and emotional health. 2. In each of these situations, African women are able to manipulate the existing system through woman-to-woman marriage in order to achieve higher social and economic status. African Traditional Religion is very pragmatic and apply to the need as it arises. The rapid economic advancement of Africa is having an enormous impact on the youth and the attitudes they hold towards marriage. Each has its advantages and disadvantages: they are appropriate to different types of society. It was a sign of assurance therefore for the woman that she was lawfully married to whomever paid the dowry. It shows the man is capable Marriage not only supports good over evil but It also has the advantage of two people working together. Manchester University Press, 1969). D) The part of Africa that carries out arranged marriages are North Africa II. The advantages of traditional courts include the following:487 they are accessible, geographically and socially; they are affordable (the low transport costs, the minimal court fees and the absence of expensive legal practitioners); they apply customary law, which is familiar to the traditional leader and the litigants; they use simple and . He explains the tradition of marriage and informs the rights and freedoms of the people along with describing how it all affects people whether they are against it or with it. The advantages are that there is a partner there to share in all of life's ups and downs . ., , | | . The Family: A Proclamation to the World teaches that "God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife" (¶ 4) and that "children are entitled to birth within the bounds of matrimony" (¶ 7). 5. Forms of traditional marriages preserved the African culture and kept families together. Some people observe traditional customs and also get married in a church. Marriage is the first gift that God gave to human beings, the creator blessed it and gave us the power to be pro creators . The General Social Survey found that 43 . The first structure is the "Matrilineal Structures" that is a lineage formed from the mother's side of the family. 1. Women whose dowry was paid, were exempted from getting remarried. Polygamy is one form of marriage, monogamy is another. Generally, these traditions are oral rather than scriptural and passed down from one generation to another through folk tales, songs, and festivals, include belief in an amount of higher and lower gods, sometimes including a supreme creator or force, belief in spirits . W hen Americans debate the value of marriage, most attention focuses on the potential harm to children of divorce or illegitimacy, and for good reason. Mountains of research tell us that children reared outside of intact marriages are much more likely than other kids to slip into poverty, become victims of child abuse, fail at school and drop out, use illegal drugs, launch into premature . Marriage has many benefits for not only you but everyone around you too. Origins and Evolution of the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act (1988) Before the new 1996 Constitutional dispensation, legislation for customary marriages was already in place. Urbanization: According to Göran Therborn (2006), African societies have experienced slight distortion in the patriarchal tradition, following the advent of urbanization. In occasion like illness, marriage, childbirth, work, study, trip, poor harvest, accidents, family conflict, and war, spirits are consulte d. . Ladies are helped from youth to being great spouses, in any event, learning secret dialects passed by more established elderly folks so they can convey about the issues of marriage without their husbandsseeing what they say. A REPORT ON CHILD MARRIAGE IN AFRICA. Conversely, the modern non-traditional society teaches people to cater for their own needs first. The African Commission's campaign to combat child marriage in Africa complements an increased global focus on eradicating child marriage: in 2013, the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution aimed at strengthening efforts to prevent and eliminate child marriage 3 For this marriage to take place the . You can also potentially receive Medicare, disability, veterans, military and pension plan benefits through your spouse. Although the couple can be living apart, marriage proves this blog is committed to their partner for a lifetime. There are often financial benefits associated with marriage. Financial issues and legalities such as inheritance can be easier to sort out when a couple is married. Most Christians of all denominations believe that a "traditional marriage" is the union between two people of the opposite sex and only have one significant… Read More Civilians have been given until 30 June 2021 to weigh in on the matter. Young women now seek to get an education, get a job and probably assist their families before settling for marriage and beginning a family. From the secular standpoint, the reason why marriage is so important is because it is the single biggest factor in eliminating social problems. The custom/traditional marriage varies in different countries of Africa. Increased level of security. Relationship is enduring. The Act imposes a duty on spouses in a customary marriage to register the marriage with 3 months after the marriage (as proof of the marriage) at Home Affairs. have fewer strokes and heart attacks. Traditional Authority Traditional authority is vested in native administration consisting of diverse hierarchies of tribal chiefs and their assistants, elders and opinion leaders in communities. Elias, T.O., The Nature of African Customary Law, Manchester Press, 1956. by 2008, only 24% of all black African women aged 20-45 years were married . Traditional African cultural practices paved the way for . NNEWI— TRADITIONAL marriage is a popular event in Igbo land. They exercise influence on local communities and act as intermediaries between communities and local governments. Another advantage is that African fathers gain sons from their daughters which may increase the families' wealth. apply traditional counselling approaches that are embedded in the African values and cultures. The decline is more prominent in both absolute and relative terms among black African women than among white women. 1974). The training systems of Africans such as the traditional schools did exist, but most 2. a marriage of wife and husband, wherein the husband is the main or only . In an interview with The Patriot, Mbuya Chipo Chuma from Nyatsime, Chitungwiza, said the traditional practices of marriage were meant to build families and communities and were steeped in unhu/ubuntu. Copy. Woman-to-woman marriage involves the following persons: 1) the female husband Woman-to-woman marriage can also be beneficial to persons other than the female husband. This type of marriage brings the two families of the couple closely together and till today, it is still considered legal in our own customs as African people. The payment of dowry however helps to creates a stability within traditional marriages and hence prevents the lady from running away from her new home. Shedding of blood unites the initiate . The belief in many African countries is that a non-excised girl will run loose from high sexual desire, hence cutting part of her body will reduce the tendency to promiscuity and enhance her . On the other hand,the first disadvantage of civil marriage it can lead to having more divorce wich sometimes causes problems to the kids psychological issues suicide . traditional Africa was the oral literature. Spouses can benefit from the estate of the deceased (in the event one of you dies without a will). Though Africa oral literature has several parts,… marriage, cuisine or sport. Nearly every religion teaches the principle of chastity before marriage, but fewer and fewer people are observing it. It has supplied answers and direction to many African life, as such people are unwilling to abandon it quickly . One of the most used drum for communication is the West African . A woman in a customary marriage was deemed to be a minor, and of a lower status than her husband and she was thus subject to his marital power. For this reason and more, maintaining family norms is vital to maintaining human liberty. Even though the government is in talks with officials regarding the new marriage law to allow polyandry in South Africa, the public has a say in the passing of the new law. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, they are appropriate to different types of society. (And although this is a bit of a buzzkill statement, knowledge is power. When the laws brought about in the Marriage Green Book are passed, then more women will be able to . It benefits everyone. Marriage Rites* Marriage is widely acknowledged throughout the African continent as one of the most critical moments in a person's life. Wife, husband and children get undivided love. It is the most common type of marriage in South Africa. In traditional African society, marriage is a rite which is celebrated, respected and held in high esteem. Young ladies and men who are getting married use it to bring their friends and well wishers to their homes, to showcase the families . The traditional African family is a very broad concept which has challenging variations across the continent. Initiates gain new status in life/he/she moves from childhood to adulthood. Woman-to-woman marriage involves the following persons: 1) the female husband 4. This, Wilhelmina Kalu (1981:350) emphasized inherently brings in to perspective the need for the redefinition of the role and features of marriage unavoidable. But, the most common traditional family group is the . Men paid dowry as a sign of commitment to their wife and parents. Traditional African marriage is an advantage for men only,not women. 28-39. These types of benefits also are protected by a prenuptial contract. Marriage also benefits the families of both the partners and creates a brand new bond between the two. The book may also be useful to traditional adjudicators, marriage counsellors, social groups and individulas involved in resolving matrimonial cases .The book also makes an interesting reading about various aspects of the Zambian Culture to any one wanting to have a camera view of how different marriage ceremonies are conducted in Zambia. For example, as compared with those who are single, those who are married tend to. advantages of traditional marriage in africa . The third advantage of civil marriage,equal partnership on properties like money or bank accounts or the house everything they will have it in the middle between the couples. Taxes are often lower. The Akan has two main structures. The cutting of foreskin symbolizes separation from childhood.The physical pain which the initiates endures,prepares . There are three types of civil marriages: marriage in community of property; marriage out of community of property; and marriage out of community of property with accrual. 2 TERMINOLOGY "Customary marriage" is a marriage which takes place in terms of the customs of the community. By Bernice Bessey Oral Literature is a spoken word that has been transmitted from generation to generation. The war fragmented communities; Regionally, there have been a number of African mechanisms and institutions that have recognised and taken steps to address the harmful impact of child marriage. 3. you won't do as you pleased you must follow your men's rules ,and other women they are educated,exposed and beautiful to mary a traditional man. Finances. Young ladies and men who are getting married use it to bring their friends and well wishers to their homes, to showcase the families . It helps in social bonding and even assists economically towards the community. (3) Marriage is a specific relationship between two individuals of opposite sex and based on mutual rights and obligations. One important advantage of marriage is that it provides partners with an increased level of security. This is what arguers of same sex marriage speak the most about. In each of these situations, African women are able to manipulate the existing system through woman-to-woman marriage in order to achieve higher social and economic status. It goes back to the simple factor of two people, a husband and wife, working together. In many parts of Africa, the bride price confirms the validity of a traditional marriage and conditions the permission to marry in church or in a civil ceremony. The traditional family taught people to act for the good of whole society. The effects of marriage and religious involvement. Information on traditional marriage customs among both patrilineal and matrilineal peoples of Zambia is available in Yizenge A. Chondoka, Traditional Marriages in Zambia: A Study in . Recent research has also examined connections to sex and domestic violence. Marriage Is A Religious Sanction The entire idea of marriage is from religion. Traditional african marriage is an advantage for men only, b'cz if you married to a traditional men you won't get enough freedom. Child marriages occur most frequently in South Asia, where 48% of women aged 15-24 have been married before the age of 18; these figures are 42% for Africa and 29% for Latin America and the Caribbean . Initiation ceremony brings the people together e.g. The traditional beliefs and practices of African people are highly diverse beliefs that include various ethnic religions. There are many providers or practitioners of traditional counselling at community level which include: traditional leaders (chiefs, village headmen and other eminent people), religious leaders (clergymen or women with leadership