Basic 9 · Ghanaian Language · Marriage Rites
Marriage Rites, Register and Main Points
In this topic you will discuss the processes involved in performing marriage rites in your culture, use appropriate register and locate the main and subsidiary points in texts.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Describe the processes of traditional marriage rites
- Use appropriate register in formal and informal speech
- Locate main and subsidiary points in texts
What you already know
- Family and social life
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
Lesson 1
- Strand
- Customs & Institutions
- Sub-strand
- Marriage Rites
- Indicator
- B9.1.1.1.1 – Discuss the processes involved in performing marriage rites in their culture
Introduction
In Ghanaian culture, marriage joins two families, not just two people. The rites make that union public and respected.
1. Why Marriage Rites Matter
Marriage rites give a union social recognition. They show that both families agree, and they create duties between them. Children born of the marriage gain a clear place in their family. Rites also teach respect and responsibility. Each ethnic group has its own customs, and even towns within one group may differ. Find out how the process works in your own community.
2. Stages in Akan Marriage
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| choosing a partner | the man and woman agree, and tell their families |
| enquiries | each family checks the other's character and health |
| knocking (kɔkɔɔkɔ) | the man's family visits with drinks to state their purpose |
| agreement | the woman's family replies and lists the requirements |
| the marriage ceremony | the items are presented before both families |
| consent | the woman is asked if she agrees |
| blessing | elders pray and advise the couple |
3. Items Presented
A list of items is often given to the man's family. It may include drinks, cloth, jewellery and money. The drinks known as tiri nsa, or head drink, are important in Akan custom, for they show gratitude to the woman's family. Families should keep these items reasonable, for very high demands can stop young people from marrying. The items are signs of respect. They are not a price paid for a person.
4. Language in the Ceremony
The ceremony is rich in formal language. Spokespersons speak for each family, using proverbs and polite expressions, and they may tease each other with humour. Words such as aware (marriage), ayeforo (bride) and ayeforokunu (bridegroom) are used in Akan. Listen for special phrases, and write down those used in your own language. Elders give advice to the couple on patience, respect and cooperation, and this advice is a form of oral literature.
New words
- aware
- The Akan word for marriage.
- ayeforo
- The Akan word for bride.
- tiri nsa
- The Akan head drink.
- spokesperson
- A person who speaks for a family.
Summary
- Marriage joins two families and gives social recognition.
- Akan marriage moves from enquiries and knocking to the ceremony.
- Formal language and proverbs are used at the ceremony.
Class activity: Stages of Marriage
- Write the stages of marriage on cards.
- Arrange them in order.
- Explain each stage in your language.
You need: Printed photographs of Ghanaian marriage rites, Traditional cloth sample, Calabash
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. The Akan word for marriage is…
- A. aware
- B. akwaaba
- C. medaase
- D. ɔhene
Show answer
Answer: awareVocabulary.2. The first formal visit by the man's family is…
- A. knocking
- B. the wake
- C. naming
- D. outdooring
Show answer
Answer: knockingStage.3. Marriage joins two families.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueCulture.4. The Akan head drink is called tiri ______.
Show answer
Answer: nsaCustom.5. Why do families make enquiries before marriage?
Show answer
Answer: To check each other's character and health.Reason.6. Why should demands for items be reasonable?
Show answer
Answer: High demands can stop young people from marrying, and the items are signs of respect, not a price.Values.
Lesson 2
- Strand
- Listening & Speaking
- Sub-strand
- Conversation
- Indicator
- B9.2.1.1.1 – Use appropriate register in everyday communication (informal and formal) with diverse partners on grade-level topics/ texts/issues
Introduction
How you speak to a chief is not how you speak to a friend. Every Ghanaian language has its own ways of showing respect.
1. Formal and Informal Speech
| Situation | Example |
|---|---|
| greeting an elder in the morning | Mema wo akye. |
| asking politely | Mepa wo kyɛw. |
| thanking | Medaase. |
| welcoming | Akwaaba. |
Register depends on who you are speaking to, the setting and the topic. In formal situations, use polite words and full sentences, and avoid slang. With friends, you can be more relaxed. Respect is shown also by body language: in many Ghanaian cultures, you should not give things with your left hand, and you should not put your hands behind your back when you speak to an elder.
2. Speaking Through a Spokesperson
In traditional settings, people do not speak directly to a chief. They speak through the okyeame, the chief's linguist. He repeats and polishes the words, often adding proverbs. This shows the chief's status, and it gives time for calm thought. It also shows that words have power, and that they should be handled with care.
3. Words to Avoid
Every language has words that are unsuitable in polite company, and insults that deeply offend people. Elders often use polite expressions for sensitive topics, such as death or the toilet. In Akan, a chief is not said to have died: other expressions are used, showing that a great tree has fallen. Knowing what not to say is as important as knowing what to say.
4. Practising Register
| Audience | Language |
|---|---|
| chief or elder | polite forms and titles |
| teacher | respectful and clear |
| friend | relaxed but kind |
| younger child | simple and gentle |
| stranger | polite and clear |
New words
- register
- The level of formality in language.
- okyeame
- The Akan chief's linguist.
- polite
- Showing good manners.
- slang
- Very informal language.
Summary
- Register depends on audience, setting and topic.
- Traditional speech often passes through a linguist.
- Polite expressions are used for sensitive matters.
Class activity: Role Play
- Greet an elder and ask for help.
- Then speak to a friend about the same matter.
- Discuss the differences.
You need: Printed photographs of familiar Ghanaian settings, Printed dialogue cards, Locally made puppets
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. In Akan, "Medaase" means…
- A. thank you
- B. welcome
- C. good morning
- D. goodbye
Show answer
Answer: thank youVocabulary.2. The okyeame is the chief's…
- A. linguist
- B. driver
- C. farmer
- D. drummer
Show answer
Answer: linguistRole.3. Using the left hand to give things is often considered rude.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueCustom.4. "Mepa wo kyɛw" means ______.
Show answer
Answer: pleasePoliteness.5. Give two ways of showing respect when speaking to an elder.
Show answer
Answer: Greet first and use titles.Any two.6. Why do people speak to a chief through a linguist?
Show answer
Answer: It shows the chief's status and allows careful, polished speech.Custom.
Lesson 3
- Strand
- Reading
- Sub-strand
- Reading
- Indicator
- B9.3.1.1.1 – Locate the main and subsidiary points in a range of texts and rewrite logically with accuracy in their own words
Introduction
When you read, some ideas are central and others only support them. Learning to tell them apart is the key to good reading.
1. Main and Subsidiary Points
| Type | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| main point | the central idea of a text or paragraph | Marriage unites families. |
| subsidiary point | a detail that supports it | Both families visit each other. |
The main point is often found in the first or the last sentence of a paragraph, but it may also be implied. Subsidiary points give reasons, examples and details. A summary keeps the main point and leaves out most of the subsidiary points.
2. Sample Text (in English)
Festivals are an important part of Ghanaian life. They bring people home from distant towns. Families meet, quarrels are settled and the dead are remembered. Chiefs use festivals to tell people about plans for the town's development. Money is often raised for schools and clinics. Thus a festival is not only a time of joy, but also a time of unity and progress.
| Sentence | Type |
|---|---|
| Festivals are an important part of Ghanaian life. | main point |
| They bring people home. | subsidiary |
| Chiefs tell people about plans. | subsidiary |
| A festival is a time of unity and progress. | main point restated |
3. Rewriting in Your Own Words
- Read the passage in your language.
- Underline the main point of each paragraph.
- Close the book.
- Write the ideas in your own words.
- Check the passage for accuracy.
Rewriting in your own words shows that you understand. Do not copy whole sentences, and do not add new ideas. Keep ideas in a logical order. Spell words correctly, and use the correct letters. This skill is often tested in the B.E.C.E., in the language you study.
New words
- main point
- The central idea of a text.
- subsidiary point
- A supporting detail.
- passage
- A short piece of writing.
- implied
- Suggested without being stated.
Summary
- Main points are central, and subsidiary points support them.
- Main points are often at the start or end of a paragraph.
- Rewrite in your own words, accurately and logically.
Class activity: Point Hunt
- Read a short passage in your language.
- Mark main and subsidiary points.
- Rewrite the main points.
You need: Ghanaian-language storybook, Printed main-idea cards, Exercise books, Pencils
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. A supporting detail is a…
- A. subsidiary point
- B. title
- C. heading
- D. main point
Show answer
Answer: subsidiary pointTerm.2. A main point is often found…
- A. at the start or end of a paragraph
- B. only in the title
- C. in the page number
- D. nowhere
Show answer
Answer: at the start or end of a paragraphReading.3. Summaries leave out most small details.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueSummary.4. The central idea of a paragraph is the ______ point.
Show answer
Answer: mainTerm.5. State the main point of the sample text.
Show answer
Answer: Festivals bring unity and progress, as well as joy.Passage.6. Why should you not add new ideas when rewriting?
Show answer
Answer: You must report what the text says accurately.Accuracy.
Homework
- Read a short passage in your language and list its main points.