Marriage Among the Akans in Ghana

Marriage Among the Akans in Ghana

The traditional Akan marriage custom has many variations but there is a basic process, which must be followed.

An Akan boy who wishes to marry a particular girl must give an indication of his intentions to his father through his mother or some elderly person. If the union is assessed to be disagreeable to the family, this intention may not even be communicated to the father. However, the father could still be asked to approve or disapprove of the intended marriage.

Once the information is received, the parents would begin an investigation into the family history of the girl. This is to satisfy them that there is nothing to prevent the union from taking place. They find out whether there are any hereditary diseases in the family, whether there is a record of criminal activity in the family and whether the family is of good moral standing, so that a union with them may not bring disgrace or unpleasant consequences to the family.

When the boy’s parents are satisfied that a union is desirable, the father communicates the information to the girl’s parents. The girl’s parents will then carry out their own investigations into the boy’s background as to whether he has any criminal record, whether he is gainfully employed and has a good moral standing.  

When they are satisfied with their investigations, a day is then chosen, by mutual agreement, for the formal proceedings to begin. The father of the boy first performs the “knocking at the door”. This constitutes the formal engagement. 

He provides drinks, such as schnapps or whisky, to the girl’s family and gives a bottle of schnapps to the girl’s father. A similar gift may be made to the other women in the girl’s family, as well as cash gift for the girl’s brothers and male cousins.

After the engagement, the couple may be seen together but are not expected to consummate their relationship; if pregnancy occurs at this stage, the boy is fined for making the girl pregnant before the performance of the full customary rites.

After the payment of the fine, called kwaseabuo sika, the man is expected to support the girl by providing her material and financial needs during her pregnancy until she delivers the baby. After this a decision is then taken as to whether marriage should ensue or not. If marriage does not come about because the families concerned do not favor it, the man is expected to pay a sum of money to the girl; this payment is called akwangya sika.  If on the other hand, marriage is approved, the ceremony, which gives legal status to Akan marriage, is performed.

The marriage ceremony are in two parts, the tiri aseda (appreciation fee) or tiri nsa. Both are performed on the same day. In the tiri aseda, which may be likened to bride wealth in other West African societies, the boy’s father makes a gift of money, clothing and jewelry to the girl to show his appreciation. In the tiri nsa, the boy’s father makes a gift of money and drinks to the girl’s family. However, the gifts in the tiri nsa can be refunded when divorce occurs. After the performance of these ceremonies on that day, there is much merry-making and feasting by both families. 

After the marriage ceremony, the boy fixes a date on which he will come for his wife. On the day fixed by the boy, his maternal aunts go to the girl’s house when she is already prepared for her husband. Before they can take the bride away, the women must give a bottle of schnapps and pay a customary fee, called akontagye sekan, to the girl’s brothers and male cousins.

A marriage meal, known as aduane kese, is usually prepared by the bride and sent to the groom’s house to be enjoyed by him, his relatives and friends. 

Modern Akan marriage is slightly different from the traditional one especially for those who wants to have church wedding. Normally, the boy will go through the same traditional process but there are additional gifts besides the customary ones.

These are a bible, a ring and a hymn book given by the boy to the girl. Also representatives of the church the girl attends on behalf of her family receive the gift. 

This ceremony normally takes place during the weekday. The following weekend, there is a church wedding. Friends, relatives and well wishers attend the wedding.

After the wedding a dinner or sometimes lunch is held in honor of the bride and groom by any of the families.