AKAN WEDDING

       Marriage is a legally recognized union between a man and woman. In Ghana marriage is conducted according to custom of ethnic group of which the couple belong. The purpose of marriage is to provide companionship for the couple, the means to offer support for each other and a legitimate avenue for sexual satisfaction. 

                          However, in selecting and accepting a potential spouse certain important conditions have to be met. The family is being screened for incurable disease, criminal backgrounds, violent behavior etc. Many Ghanaians prefer a spouse who is hardworking, respectful, peaceful and also with the same or compatible religious background.There are three criteria in classifying the marriage process customary marriage, civic registration and religious marriage. The customary marriage forms the basis of all three types, therefore we are going to throw more light on the customary marriage of the larger ethnic group in Ghana. That is the Akans.

                   In the Akan tradition when a man wants to get married he first has to seek the consent of the female i through secret meetings known as "kasasie" after which the man would tell his family members to carry out investigations on the girl and her background. After this the family of the guy would make their intentions known to the parent of the lady in question. This is the first step in the marriage rites known as "opon akyi bo" (knocking ceremony). They go to see the family with a bottle of schnapps sometimes some amount of money is added.

                   A list is given to the family of the man, before they set a day for the wedding. The list consists of the required gifts for the bride which include clothings, jewelry, trunk box, a mat and stool. Formally the bride price of was being paid the father of the man. 

                 On the day of the wedding, the two families come together to witness the ceremony. The family of the groom presents the gifts that was required include the bride price which is called "tri adea" and also gifts for the bride parents. Then if she has brothers they would ask for a protection fee literally known as "akonta bye sikan" this is another form of payment that has to be paid before the bride can be allowed to leave her parents house.

 

                 When all this is done, drinks are poured out before she leaves her home(a sign of respect) The bride is adorned in minimal jewelry and beads and they tie kente just the as groom adorn his head with beads or gold

 

                                                                                              BY: Stephanie Yeboah