Niceman4u:
Atimes I think dat doing white wedding is just an optional ceremony. My take on marriage is: pay the lady's dowry nd u r a married man or both of u r married.

vooks:

Why would dowry suffice? Do you mean absence of dowry means no marriage

Niceman4u:





I mean once u pay d dowry u r traditionally married to d girl. And dats wat I tink is marriage

vooks:

Am asking why do you think paying dowry is marriage?

WHY?

Niceman4u:
Atimes I think dat doing white wedding is just an optional ceremony. My take on marriage is: pay the lady's dowry nd u r a married man or both of u r married.

johnydon22:


white wedding is not an African or christian tradition. white wedding originated from Britain.

According to the African tradition any girl whose dowry is paid and receives blessings from both parents during the ceremony is Married..

vooks:

Am asking why do you think paying dowry is marriage?

WHY?

hahn:

What of under the constitution?

johnydon22:
Because it is an African cultural and ethical construct.

it stipulates once dowry is paid with all the necessary wine and ceremonies, the couple are married .. No addition no subtraction... we are Africans and that is our own societal norm

johnydon22:
I don't understand

hahn:


What does the constitution say as regards marriage?

johnydon22:


African tradition (the one am familiar with igbo) ---> Once dowry is paid and blessings given by the parents.. Married

johnydon22:
Because it is an African cultural and ethical construct.

it stipulates once dowry is paid with all the necessary wine and ceremonies, the couple are married .. No addition no subtraction... we are Africans and that is our own societal norm

Niceman4u:




Tradition demands payment of dowry!

hahn:


If they are married under tradition and not at a court or registry and without signing any legal document, is their matrimony legal?

vooks:


Tradition once demanded that girls get married at their early teens, undergo genital mutilation, are mere chattels with zero inheritance rights, can be shared among agemates,inherited after being widowed and so forth.

The point is 'traditions' are not static and are constantly changing. Marriage is no exception and you should not throw fits over this

anukulapo:

Even if you are not married under any tradition (payment of dowry as you suppose), by staying together (cohabiting) for a certain length of time, the law of the land assumes you married. It is the "common law" of marriage.
Go find out.

anukulapo:

Please,don't point out this fact. It is hard for people to swallow.
People like to go with the flow. It make life easy for them; helps them call a burden "light weight"

hahn:


If they are married under tradition and not at a court or registry and without signing any legal document, is their matrimony legal?

johnydon22:


When someone says Legal that person is referring to recognition by the political state.

No marriage is legal without prior recognition by the supreme state where the said individual is a citizen of.

So a traditional marriage right is by far a very valid ceremony, but since we are under a supreme political state NIGERIA legality must be in conformity to due recognition by the state.

that is why i mentioned notifying the local tribunal to provide necessary documents required by the state..

hahn:


Is it written in the constitution?

Niceman4u:
Atimes I think dat doing white wedding is just an optional ceremony. My take on marriage is: pay the lady's dowry nd u r a married man or both of u r married.