RELIGIOUS & MORAL EDUCATION

                       
WEEK.7
R.M.E
FORM  3

                                     
 MARRIAGE RITES                                
Marriage is the union between  a matured man and woman who have by law agreed to live together as husband and wife.

Marriage is the  oldest divine institution was established by God in the garden of Eden (Genesis 2:24).

  TYPES  OF MARRIAGE
1.Customary marriage
This is a type of marriage contracted and recognized in accordance with the established customs, traditions and practices.customary marriage traditionally hand over the woman to the man as a wife.customary marriage is the most common type of marriage and it forms the basis of all marriage and precedes any other type of marriage in Ghana.

2.Ordinance/civil marriage.
It is the marriage that has been contracted and recognized under the law of the state and is registered at the registrar General Department or the office of the District or municipal Assembly and law court.for one to register his marriage,one should have performed the customary marriage rite before proceeding to the registry for registration of the marriage.

3.Religious marriage
Religious marriage is normally consecrated by  a minister of the religion,a priest or an imam.In Ghana,there are two types of religious marriage.These are Christian and Islamic marriage.

           BRIDE WEALTH (BRIDE PRICE)
✓ Bride wealth is the payment of money, drinks, animals and other items by the bridegroom to the parents and the family of the bride in his bid for her hand in marriage.

✓The bride price varies from one tribe or ethnic group to the other.however some families give a high bride price which discourages the man from performing the marriage rites.

✓IMPORTANCE OF BRIDE PRICE.

1.it legalizes and seal the union.The payment of the bride price is a legal instrument which formally transfer the rights from the girl's parents and family to live as husband and wife and bear children for the society and family

2.It gives the rights and responsibilities to the couples.
The payment of the bride price gives the right and authority over the wife's sexual, domestic service and other things relating to the family whereas it also gives the woman the responsibility to produce legitimate children for the husband.

3.High social status.
The bride wealth confers adult status, prestige and honour on the bride,her parents,the entire family and the community as it indicates their readiness for the society to witness their marriage.

4.Financial aid
The bride price paid can be used as capital for the woman to start her business or to acquire certain basic needs such as cooking utensils and clothes for her new role.

5.To show appreciation.
It shows the gratitude and appreciation from the man's family to the wife's parents and family for her upbringing and care over the years which seals the bond between them.


 WEEK 8

FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A LIFE
PARTNER.


1.Character of the person
The character of the person must be checked.such persons must be humble, tolerant, obedient and industrious among others.

2.love and affection
Love and affection is needed in marriage to sustain it which enables the couples to seek the other partner's welfare and needs.

3.Family background
This is important because it is through this that one gets to know the health status of the family.That is,to Know if the family is free from leprosy, madness, criminal offences etc

4.Occupation.
One needs to be gainfully employed to enable them earn good salaries to cater for them properly.

5.Age
Normally women like above their age and vice versa.however,the age difference should not be too much.

IMPORTANCE OF MARRIAGE RITES

1.It brings both families together.The performance of the marriage rites is a social and religious ceremony that brings unity or togetherness among both families.

2.It seals the marriage.
No marriage is complete without the marriage rites.when the bride price is paid,it means the marriage union is complete and the lady becomes the wife of the man.

3.It is God's plan for procreation and therefore approval of God's is sought for the marriage.

4.It brings respect.Marriage ceremony brings respect, honour and good social standing to the couple in the society.

5.Marriage rites provide economic security to the lady.
The money that is paid as part of the bride price serves as an economic security to the lady.she may use the money to start a business or learn a trade.

6.Marriage ceremony enables the couple to be introduced to the moral values of marriage life.

PROBLEMS IN MARRIAGE


1.Infertility
Situations were couples are not able to bear children tends to be a major problem that leads to divorce.

2.Sexual dissatisfaction.
When partner's fail to satisfy each other sexually for a period of time can cause divorce.

3.Adultery
This occurs when spouses engage in other activities outside their marital homes which can lead to divorce.

4.Lack of trust and understanding
When couples no longer trust and understand each other in many issues that arise in their marital life.


5.External infulences from close relations.
Some marriages are not stable due to influences from in-laws, friends,close
associates.These external interferences may put pressure on the finances, decisions and privacy of the couples.


6.Financial problems.
Couples may face financial problems due to unemployment,ill health, laziness,and unnecessary demands by  external relations may adversely affect the financial position of the couple and this may threaten the stability of the marriage.

7.communication problems.
Lack of communication in marriages affects stability, happiness,joy, which are basic conditions for a successful marriage.

RME JHS 3

WEEK 9 

NOTE  3

ISLAMIC MARRIAGE RITES

Islamic marriage rite is known as NIKAH which means"to unite".such marriage ensures chaste living in the Islamic community. Muslims see marriage as divine institution that must be respected and performed.This is stipulated by the teachings of Allah in the Holy Quran.

HOW MARRIAGE RITES ARE PERFORMED IN ISLAM.

I.In Islam,young men and women are not supposed to live any kind of relationship before marriage.

ii.Selection of a marriage partner is generally done by parents of the man,or woman.customarily,the man's family proposes or initates the marriage.

iii.The man or woman may make their own choice within the Islamic faith but must be approved by parents and family members.

iv.A matrimonial guardian (father or the grandfather) known as "wali" must be present as legal representative of the bride.

v.The bride price is known as "Mahr" or "sadaaq"is paid on the form of money, properties, cattle,kola nuts and other gifts to the girl's parents, especially the mother.

vi.The wedding ceremony is known as "NIKAH" and is performed by a licensed Islamic priest,an imam or a Muezzin almost immediately after the payment of the bride price.Then the marriage is registered in Islam.

Vii.They make marriage vows.The couples are asked three times if they agree to be married.

viii.The imam who is a licensed Islamic priest reads the fourth chapter (sura)of the Quran and preaches on the importance of marriage,duties and blessing it brings to both couples.

ix.This is followed by a wedding known as "WALIMA". There is singing, dancing and general merry making to usher the newly married couple to the premises.

x.Relatives, friends, and well-wishers present gifts to the married couples.

xi.The bride is taken to her matrimonial home.

xii.The bride now covers her head with a scarf known as "Mayaafi" to demonstrate that she is a married woman.

NOTE:
It must be noted that Islamic marriages are polygamous.so the ladies are informed before they go to their marital home.Her husband is at liberty to marry an additional three wives without objection from her.however,the husband must inform her  and seek her consent about his desire to marry additional wives.