Inter-tribal
marriage in Nigeria is inevitable; it is near impossible for the people
of a particular tribe in Nigeria not to marry outside that tribe.
Although, there are usually arguments
and fights when couples marry out of their tribes; they are bound to
face and experience enmity from their partners’ families. Despite all
these, couples still find a way of sealing the gap between the torn
families with their love.
Yoruba and Igbo are two major tribes in
Nigeria. Both are powerful and represent a large portion of the
population. There is an interaction between them just like with any
other tribe in Nigeria, However, when the issue of marriage comes into
play they handle it with sentiments.
There are certain qualities possessed by
ladies who are Igbo. Just like each tribe has its own peculiarities,
there are some things that are synonymous to Igbo women. They are
basically important things one has to know before marrying an Igbo
woman. This would help the relationship to thrive well and would help
them reduce the chances of getting divorced.
Yoruba men who fall in love with Igbo
ladies must have seen some of these traits and qualities in the women
before deciding to marry them. They know the battle they have to fight
with that desire of theirs yet they are not discouraged.
As liberal as a family could be, the
members would always express their desire for their sons and daughters
to marry within the clan or tribe. They would only accept the proposal
in order not to ruin the happiness of their children.
Find below some of the reasons why Yoruba men marry Igbo ladies:
1. Igbo women are home builders
It would be nice for us not to be sentimental when considering this issue. Igbo women are extremely dedicated in marriage.
Now there would always be a few stray
ones like we have in other tribes too; but when it comes to the effort
they put into marriages, those ladies are quite commendable.
Marriage means a great deal to them and
divorce is a word they do not really entertain. Yoruba men go for them
because they see the prospects in them.
2. They are excellent cooks
There are a number of leaves and
vegetables that are being made into soups by the Igbo ladies. Most of
them know how to cook and would feed a man until he cannot eat any
longer.
Yoruba men know that they would taste
different types of vegetables when they are married to Igbo ladies. we
all know the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.
3. Love knows no tribe
Some Yoruba men end up marrying Igbo
ladies not because they had it planned out but because love happened.
Love knows no tribe. At this point, they have no control over the person
their hearts choose. Not giving in to love may subject them to a
lifetime of unhappiness at the long run.
Moreover, they do not marry these ladies
by force, there is usually a strong mutual consent by the parties
involved as it is essential for them to work as a unit in order to gain
the support of their family members.
4. They are accommodating
Igbo people love having a full house; it
is not strange finding uncles, aunties, nephews, cousins and distant
relations spending holiday with them.
Although they chat a lot, they enjoy good company. There are bad eggs among them too who have little or no tolerance for people.
Yoruba men know that marrying Igbo
ladies who are well cultured and behaved will help them keep their
family members together. Over time, the family members may start to see
the good in them and love them too.
5. They belong to one Nigeria
Sometimes, men do not pay attention to
tribal issues and condescending statements that may bring a tribe down.
As far as they are concerned, the Igbo ladies are Nigerians like them
too.
For this reason, a Yoruba man could
decide to choose his life partner from that tribe and live with her for
the rest of his life. After all, marrying outside one’s tribe is not an
offence that is punishable under law.
As a matter of fact, it promotes
cultural integration and helps the people of the country to bond better.
It is interesting to know that there are people who think like this
among us.
