Basic 8 · Religious and Moral Education · Marriage Rites
Customary and Christian Marriage
In this topic you will describe how a marriage is contracted under African Traditional Religion and custom and in Christianity, and explain the purposes of marriage.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Explain the purposes of marriage
- Describe how a customary marriage is contracted
- Describe how a Christian marriage is contracted
What you already know
- Puberty rites
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
Lesson 1
- Strand
- Religious Practices
- Sub-strand
- Marriage Rites
- Indicator
- B8.2.1.1.4 – Describe how a marriage is contracted in the three main religions in Ghana
Introduction
In Ghana it is often said that marriage unites not just two people, but two families. This idea lies at the heart of customary marriage.
1. What Is Marriage?
Marriage: A legally and socially recognised union of a man and a woman as husband and wife.
Marriage has several purposes in Ghanaian society. It provides companionship and love. It allows couples to have children and to bring them up well. It links families, so that they support each other in good times and bad. It also gives men and women a respected status in the community. Every religion and culture therefore treats marriage as a serious commitment and does not enter it lightly.
2. Legal Types of Marriage in Ghana
| Type | Key feature |
|---|---|
| customary marriage | contracted between families according to custom |
| ordinance marriage | contracted under the Marriages Act, one husband and one wife |
| Mohammedan (Islamic) marriage | contracted according to Islamic rules and registered |
3. Steps in Akan Customary Marriage
- The man tells his family that he has found a woman he wishes to marry.
- His family makes enquiries about her family's character and health.
- The man's family goes to "knock" (kɔkɔɔkɔ) on the door of the woman's family, with drinks.
- The woman's family makes its own enquiries about the man.
- If both sides agree, a date is set for the marriage ceremony.
- At the ceremony, the man's family presents the drinks, the head money and other items.
- The woman is asked three times whether she accepts, and her consent is confirmed.
- The families bless the couple, often with prayers and libation.
These gifts are often called tiri nsa, meaning "head drink". They are a sign of thanks to the woman's family, and they do not mean that she has been bought.
4. Values in Customary Marriage
The enquiries protect both sides by helping families to find out about character, health and past behaviour. Consent matters too, since a woman must not be forced. Elders of both families remain a source of counsel, and they try to settle conflicts when they arise. Customary marriage may be polygynous, which means that a man may have more than one wife, though this has become less common. Details differ among the peoples of Ghana, but the involvement of the family is common to all of them.
New words
- customary marriage
- Marriage contracted between families by custom.
- knocking
- The first formal visit to a woman's family.
- tiri nsa
- The Akan head drink presented at marriage.
- polygyny
- A man having more than one wife.
Summary
- Marriage serves love, family, children and community.
- Ghana recognises customary, ordinance and Islamic marriages.
- Customary marriage involves enquiries, knocking, gifts and consent.
Class activity: Marriage Steps
- Arrange cards showing the steps of customary marriage.
- Explain why each step matters.
- Compare with customs in your own area.
You need: Wedding ring, Kente cloth sample, Printed photographs of Ghanaian marriage rites
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. How many legally recognised forms of marriage does Ghana have?
- A. three
- B. one
- C. two
- D. five
Show answer
Answer: threeMarriages Act.2. "Knocking" means…
- A. the first formal visit to the woman's family
- B. a wedding party
- C. a divorce
- D. a burial
Show answer
Answer: the first formal visit to the woman's familyFirst step.3. The woman's consent is needed in customary marriage.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueConsent.4. A man having more than one wife is called ______.
Show answer
Answer: polygynyCustom.5. State two purposes of marriage.
Show answer
Answer: Companionship and having and raising children.Any two.6. Why do families make enquiries before a customary marriage?
Show answer
Answer: To learn about the character, health and background of the partners and their families.Protection.
Lesson 2
- Strand
- Religious Practices
- Sub-strand
- Marriage Rites
- Indicator
- B8.2.1.1.4 – Describe how a marriage is contracted in the three main religions in Ghana
Introduction
Christians see marriage as a sacred covenant before God. A church wedding is both a joyful occasion and a serious promise.
1. Christian Teaching on Marriage
Christian teaching on marriage comes from Genesis 2:24, which says that a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. Jesus repeated these words and added, "What God has joined together, let no one separate" (Mark 10:9). Christians therefore view marriage as a lifelong union of one man and one woman. The husband and wife must love and respect each other, in the way St Paul teaches in Ephesians 5. Marriage is a covenant, which is a solemn promise made before God.
2. Steps in a Christian Marriage
- The couple tell their church leaders of their plans.
- They attend marriage counselling.
- The banns, or announcements of the marriage, are read in church on several Sundays, so that anyone with a good objection can come forward.
- The customary rites are often done first, with both families.
- At the church service, the couple make their vows before God and witnesses.
- The couple exchange rings as a sign of unending love.
- The minister blesses the couple and declares them husband and wife.
- The couple and witnesses sign the marriage register.
- A reception follows.
3. The Vows
In many churches, each partner promises to love and honour the other for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death. These words show that love is not only a feeling but also a decision. Couples will face hardship, and vows remind them to stand firm. Counselling before the wedding helps them to discuss money, children, faith and how to resolve disagreements.
4. Marriage Under the Ordinance
In Ghana, a Christian wedding is often also an ordinance marriage under the Marriages Act. This makes it monogamous, which means that the man may have only one wife. Churches are licensed to carry out these marriages. The couple receive a certificate, which is proof of the marriage in law and can be useful for matters such as inheritance. Divorce is viewed very seriously by Christians, and different churches have different rules. Most encourage counselling and reconciliation before anything else.
New words
- covenant
- A solemn promise.
- banns
- Public announcements of a planned marriage.
- vows
- Promises made at a wedding.
- monogamy
- Marriage to one spouse only.
Summary
- Christians see marriage as a lifelong covenant.
- Steps include counselling, banns, vows, rings and blessing.
- Ordinance marriage is monogamous and legally recorded.
Class activity: Writing Promises
- Discuss what the Christian wedding vows mean.
- Write four qualities that make a good spouse.
- Share them with the class.
You need: Wedding ring, Kente cloth sample, Printed photographs of Ghanaian marriage rites
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Wedding rings are a sign of…
- A. unending love
- B. wealth
- C. a job
- D. a chief
Show answer
Answer: unending loveSymbol.2. Banns are…
- A. announcements of a planned marriage
- B. wedding cakes
- C. church songs
- D. family gifts
Show answer
Answer: announcements of a planned marriagePublic notice.3. An ordinance marriage is monogamous.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueOne spouse.4. Promises made at a wedding are called ______.
Show answer
Answer: vowsPromises.5. Which verse teaches that a husband and wife become one?
Show answer
Answer: Genesis 2:24, or Mark 10:8.Scripture.6. Why do churches give marriage counselling?
Show answer
Answer: To help couples discuss money, children and faith and to prepare them for difficulties.Preparation.
Homework
- Ask a married adult what makes a marriage work, and write down three points.