Marriage and Family Structures
Marriage is a huge part of the ibo village. "The igbo beleived that every adult male and female must marry and build their own household...marriage was a requisite and first step towards bringing them into the world." pg. 32
The marriage rituals in the Ibo village are similar to those in America, both societies bring wine. “I hope our in-laws will bring many pots of wine. Although they come from a village that is known for being closefisted, they ought to know that Akueke is the bride for a king.” (pg. 30)
In the ibo village having numerous wifes is not frowned upon but rather encouraged. Having numerous wives enhances a mans status and and the first wifes status. The headwomen of the house has the same amount of power as the man.
"If i fall down and you fall down for you and you fall down for me, it is play. Marriage should be a play and not a fight; so we are following down again" (pg. 51). This quote shows an example of "bride-price", which is the amount of yams or other items wanted by the other family for their daughter.
It's very common to have mass amount of children in the family, the ibo people prefer boys because theiy belevie their more "useful" in society.
Marriage's in the ibo village don't contain much affection with the exception of Okonkwo and Enzima, well atleast it used to. Enzima once married to a rich man ran away from her busband to live with Okonkwo becuase she truly loved him, he won her heart over with a his great wrestling skills.
Added by Dan Waseem
The marriage rituals in the Ibo village are similar to those in America, both societies bring wine. “I hope our in-laws will bring many pots of wine. Although they come from a village that is known for being closefisted, they ought to know that Akueke is the bride for a king.” (pg. 30)
In the ibo village having numerous wifes is not frowned upon but rather encouraged. Having numerous wives enhances a mans status and and the first wifes status. The headwomen of the house has the same amount of power as the man.
"If i fall down and you fall down for you and you fall down for me, it is play. Marriage should be a play and not a fight; so we are following down again" (pg. 51). This quote shows an example of "bride-price", which is the amount of yams or other items wanted by the other family for their daughter.
It's very common to have mass amount of children in the family, the ibo people prefer boys because theiy belevie their more "useful" in society.
Marriage's in the ibo village don't contain much affection with the exception of Okonkwo and Enzima, well atleast it used to. Enzima once married to a rich man ran away from her busband to live with Okonkwo becuase she truly loved him, he won her heart over with a his great wrestling skills.
Added by Dan Waseem
