Traditional Marriage System among the Yoruba of Southestern Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examines the role which Yoruba traditional system of marriage plays in reducing cases of divorce (dalemosu) to the minimum if not totally eradicated. The paper focuses on the roles of the intermediary (alarina), the oracle (Ifa orunmila), and the parents (obi) in ensuring a stable home. The paper observes that civilization and foreign ideas play a major role in the increasing rate of divorce in our present society. The paper concludes that as long as people ignore the roles of the intermediary (Alarina), the oracle (Ifa orunmila) and even the parents in marriage contract and as long as foreign cultures are allowed to dominate our highly cherished indigenous cultures, our society shall continue to experience divorce (dalemosu).