THE IMPACT OF WESTERN CULTURE ON IGALA MARITAL SYSTEM

Abstract

The impact of western culture on any other culture is usually referred to as “westernism” which is a coinage from the word western and it refers to the act of bringing ideas or way of life that are typical of Western Europe and North America to other cultures. Therefore, western impact connotes the knowledge, belief, moral and way of life of the western world. Before the introduction of Christianity to Igalaland, marriage was viewed as a contract between two families, that is, a man and woman and their immediate families. There were aspect of marriage customs that were peculiar to the Igala, among some other African ethnic groups. For example, negotiations for marriage were undertaken by the parents of the intending couple through the intermediary. As the negotiations were going on, investigations were also being carried out by both families to find out if either of the families had any particular problems such as hereditary diseases or some bad behaviour. When the negotiations and investigations were settled, the intending husband would be required to serve his parents-in-law to-be for seven years for the bride price. However, during this period the suitor and the young lady was not expected to meet for any conversation: this was to prevent them from engaging in sexual intercourse before marriage as it was a taboo to do so. The research found out that Christianity has impacted on Igala marriage both positively and negatively. It has upheld good customs such as abstinence from sexual intercourse before marriage, marriage to be based on good morals and religious character as well as maintaining parental approval, and virginity before marriage as a virtue. However, other aspects of Igala marriage traditions have either been ignored or completely abrogated. These are discovered in the areas of proper investigations of the clans of both families to ascertain if there exist inherited diseases or traits of bad behaviour. Christianity has rejected polygamy but has also replaced it with discriminatory practices in some denominations. This research recommends that while some of the native customs might belittle value in modern times, it is imperative for the contemporary Igala Christian to adopt aspects of both traditions that are capable of ensuring stability of marriage.