The Effect of Western Influence on Akan Marriage

Abstract

Opening ParagraphThe term ‘Akan’ is applied to all the Twi-speaking tribes of Ashanti and the J- Gold Coast, including the Fante, Wassa, Akwapim, Denkera, Agona, Efutu, Ahanta, Sefwi, and other minor tribes. The most vital association in which the Akan lives is the matrilineal clan, the group of people who through the female line is of common descent and therefore is of one soul—ntoro. Succession is matrilineal.Marriage among the Akans is a contract between two groups, the woman's and the man's clans, and for the security of both parties it is surrounded by definite customs and laws. By marriage one group delivers one of its members to the other for the purpose of the propagation of the group. The individual man or woman remains a member of his or her group, which continues to have an active interest in his or her well-being. Akan marriage does not result from love, its entire foundation lying in the desire for children. Every child has a place in the abusua (clan) even though it may be born out of wedlock, i.e. without the transference of aseda. It is cared for and has legal rights of inheritance. The unmarried mother loses social status, but not the child.