Write an article suitable for publication in a foreign magazine on the traditional marriage system of your people.

An article for a foreign magazine needs a title and a byline, and it should explain the custom clearly to readers unfamiliar with the culture, in orderly paragraphs.

The Traditional Marriage System of My People

By Ngozi Adeyemi

To readers abroad, marriage may mean simply a wedding in a church or a registry. Among my people, however, marriage is far more than the union of two individuals; it is the joining of two families, and it follows a rich sequence of customs handed down over many generations. I write to share the beauty of this traditional marriage system.

Everything begins with courtship and enquiry. When a young man finds a woman he wishes to marry, he informs his parents, who make discreet enquiries about her family, their character, health and reputation. This care reflects the belief that one marries not only a person but a whole lineage.

The next stage is the formal introduction. Accompanied by his parents and elders, the suitor visits the girl's family to make his intentions known. Kola nuts are broken and prayers are offered, and the girl is asked, before all, whether she accepts the man. Her consent is essential, for no honourable marriage is forced.

Then comes the presentation of the bride price and gifts, the heart of the ceremony. The suitor's family brings a list of items agreed upon by both sides: drinks, yams, livestock, clothing, and a token bride price. Far from being a purchase, these gifts are a mark of appreciation to the bride's family and a sign that the man is able to care for a home.

The climax is the traditional wedding celebration itself. Dressed in the colourful attire of our people, the bride, amid music and dancing, is often asked to find her groom in the crowd and to present him with a cup of palm wine, a graceful symbol of her choice. Feasting, drumming and the blessings of the elders follow, and the two families are bound together in lasting friendship.

In conclusion, the traditional marriage system of my people is a celebration of family, community and continuity. Its ceremonies may differ from those of other lands, but its purpose is the same the world over: to unite two people, and their families, in love, respect and enduring harmony.