The Influence Of Western Culture On Ibesikpo Asutan Indigenous Marriage Rites

ABSTRACT

 The influence of western culture on the indigenous Marriage rites of the Ibesikpo Asutan Community led to the writing of this paper. Western culture has eroded the ancient and indigenous marriage rites of the people and influence the marriage constitution negatively. The change has penetrated the ethical values, social norms, traditional customs’ indigenous religion and the educational systems of the people. Using descriptive method of research, this paper examines the factors responsible for the influences of the Western culture on the indigenous marriage rites of the people of Ibesikpo Asutan.   Specifically, such factors as: personality of the lady, parental background and which family is she from were examined. The work also examined the aspect of influence such as: mate selection, absent of fattening, high cost of marriage and elaborate list of items, the wedding ceremony, the procedure and process of marriage.  The paper discovered that the abandonment of ancient marriage rite and traditional marriage institution has jeopardized the long existing traditional norms of the people and rooted out their dear cultural. The paper concluded that the revitalization of the indigenous marriage rites of the people of Ibesikpo Asutan would pave ways to young people getting married in due time and encourage enduring marriage institution in the society. The paper recommended that Ibesikpo Asutan indigene should revitalize the indigenous marriage rite so as to   promote and protect this unique identity as Africans.

CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

• Background of the Study

Since the beginning of the twenty first century till, now there have been some tremendous major socio-cultural changes in Ibibio communities as a result of the emergence of westernisation.  Westernization has since then spread its tentacles to every aspects of Ibibio social and cultural institutions thus influencing and changing everything including out tradition and culture. The growing trend has become a threat to the entire society and it has become a norm especially in the way people dress, speak and conduct their marriages.

Right from antiquity marriage has been seen as a relationship between a man and a woman and their respective families. It is also an institution which brings into existence at final relations together with the consanguinal and putative consideration¹. Since it is an institution, Ibibio ancestors specified customary form of conducting and celebrating marriage from time to time.

In the culture and tradition of Ibesikpo Asutan community, marriage rite among other rites has been considered as a vital and important aspect in the marriage institution. It is a rite that is done in various stages. Stage one is Ndono ufok, followed by Nkon udok, mbup, ufana mkpo/ukpe mkpo and the final stage usoro ndo².

1.2     Statement of the Problem

In the present Ibesikpo Austan community, the customary way of conducting marriage which is otherwise known as traditional marriage rite has declined. Many families take outrageous demands on the payment of the bride price thus take advantage of the groom who sometime may have little to offer based on his economic capability. Marriage rite has become a business venture where every item is being monetized³. The high cost of traditional marriage has plunged many young men into financial difficulty and debts and thus has many at times degenerated into violence at home. The question now is, what is or are the causes of high cost of traditional marriage in Ibesikpo Asutan community? Could the influence of western culture be a contributing factor to this problem? What is the way out/forward to  this problem? This is the burden of this research.

1.3     Objectives of the Study

The objectives of the research are as follows:

1. To examine the aspect of the influence of the western culture on the indigenous marriage rite of the people of Ibesikpo Asustan Community.
2. To re-echo the role of marriage rite plays in the traditional and cultural life of the people of Ibesikpo Asustan.

• To point out the implications of western culture on the indigenous marriage rite of the people of Ibesikpo Asutan community.

1. To proffer possible solution to the alien and the dehumanized practice as affecting the people of Ibesikpo Asutan community.

1.4     Significance of the Study

The research is of great significance in the following ways

1. It will educate the people  of Ibesikpo Asutan community and its environs  on the importance of indigeous marriage rite and also unveil the negative implication of  Western culture on the indigenous marriage  rite of the people of Ibesikpo Asutan
2. The research will also  proffer possible solutions to the problem of the influence of western culture on the indigenous marriage rite of the people of Ibesikpo Asutan community.

• It will as well serve as a search light for identifying the aspects of the influence of the western culture on the indigenous marriage rite of the people of Ibesikpo Asutan.

1. The research will be of immense help to the up-coming researchers who many develop interest in researching on the related area.
2. The research will contribute to the existing knowledge of academic and serve as a source and referencing material.

1.5     Research methodology

In the course of this research, descriptive method of research was adopted. It depended on primary sources of information such as oral interview and observation and secondary sources such as textbooks, journal lesson notes published and unpublished scholarly materials which and relevant to the research.

1.6     Organization of the Study

The research is organized in five chapters. Chapter one is the general introduction, chapter two deals with the review of the related literature, chapter three gives detail on the profiles of the people of Ibesikpo Asutan community, chapter four is a comprehensive details on the concept of marriage rite and the influence of western culture on the indigenous marriage rite of the people of Ibesikpo Asutan community. Lastly, chapter five is the conclusion.

1.7     Scope and Limitation of the Study

The local of the research is Ibesiko Austan community. It investigate the influence of western culture on the indigenous marriage rite of Ibesikpo Asutan community. It focuses on the following areas:

Marriage rite in ancient Ibesikpo Asutan community it gives a comprehensive details on how traditional marriage rite was conducted during ancient time . Marriage rite in the contemporary Ibesikpo Asutan community, aspects of the influence of the western culture,   effect of the influence of Western culture, and the way forward.

However,  the restraints encountered in the course of the research is  finances for transporting myself to the research locale since I am residing in Uyo time constrains was also a factor militating against the success of the research since the research was conducted under  academic pressure.

1.8     Definition of Terms

Western Culture: Western culture means way of life, civilization, ethical values, and their traditional norms⁴.

Indigenous Marriage Rite: Indigenous marriage rite is the traditional forms of conducting marriage. It includes stage by stage form of conducting marriage which is in accordance with the culture of a particular place⁵