FANTE MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE

The institution of marriage in the traditional certain of the ghanaian culture is one that is held in
high esteem. Each tribe in Ghana has their own means of conducting the marriages.
Amongst the Fante tribe of Ghana, it is the case that for the purpose of marriages, men of
marriage ages are assisted by their fathers to find “befitting” wives, or a man is permitted to
suggest his interest in a potential wife to his family. When such potential wives are identified, the
family of the man goes to inform the family of the potential wife of their intention to take their
daughter’s hands in marriage for their son. As part of the process of informing the family of the
potential wife of their intention to marry their daughter for their son, they go along with at least
a bottle of schnapp for that purpose. The process of informing the family of the potential wife of
the intention to take their daughter’s hands in marriage for their son is known as the “knocking”
stage.

Once the communication is done, the family of the potential wife gives the family of the potential
his time to come back for a feedback, that period of time is used by the family of the potential
wife to make enquires into the family of the potential husband, it is considered a background
check into the family of the potential husband’s family. Such background checks are usually
conducted for the purposes of identifying anything likely to hinder the potential marriage or the
lasting of such potential. Such things inquired into May include the issues of marriage if things
such as; issues of insanity, inappropriate or unacceptable behaviors that runs through the family,
likely issues of incests amongst others. Where nothing is found in the search that is likely to
hinder the potential marriage of the lasting of the marriage, or the family is considered a worthy
to be married into, the potential wife is spoken to by her family (parents) and informed of the
intentions of the potential husband to marry her, their findings and her consent to the
marriage.Depending on the time given to the man’s family, to come back for the feedback of the
potential wife’s family, they come back inquire of the way forward, or are called upon to be
informed of the way forward.

At this point, once the family of the potential wife had discussed the potential suitor with their
daughter to gotten her consent, The man’s family is given a list of items to be presented to the
wife to be and her family for the purpose of the marriage. These items to be presented is
considered the bride price of the bride to be. The bride price may include items such is; a ring,
pieces of cloth, sawing machines, utensils, travel bag, under wears, monies for the parents and
siblings of the potential wife among others. Each item on the list usually has its significance for
which it is to be presented. Once the family of the potential husband have the bride price ready,
same is communicated to the family of the potential wife and a date set for the marriage
ceremony. The marriage ceremony is usually officiated by the family head of the lady’s family and
in the presence of witnesses; usually, family members and friends.
At the marriage ceremony, the bride price is presented to the wife to be’s family, the bride is
called upon and asked if the items should be accepted from the man’s family since accepting the
items will mean her acceptance to marry the man. If she affirms that the items be taken, the
items are duly received by the lady’s family. At this point, the man presents a ring to the woman
as a symbol of his love for the lady and a token of remembrance of the marriage vows to be
taken on that day. If they are Christians, they may be presented with a Bible to be used as their
first go-to guide for their marriage. The parents of both parties pray for the couple and bless their
marriage. At this point, the marriage is officiated.
Divorce on the other hands is frowned upon amongst every tribe in Ghana; however, it is not to
say it is impossible for same to happen.
Amongst the Fante people, for a marriage to be divorced, the families of the couple sit with the
couple and attempt to resolve the likely issues causing the couple to seek divorce, when such
attempts to resolve such issues fail, it is only then, that the families may permit the couples and
grant them their divorce. For the purpose of divorce, the party seeking the divorce returns the
Bible, ring and schnapps ( and some other items depending on the customs of each family)
presented during the marriage ceremony back to the family of the one to be divorced, once the
family accepts the items returned, powder is poured on the party to be divorced as a sign of
separation, without that, last bit of the powder pouring the divorce is not considered as finalized.
This, should equally be done in the presence of witnesses, often times, in the presence of some
family members of the couple.