Family
Family is a very important part of Ibo culture. Ibo men practice polygamy, which is having multiple wives in a family. However, women should not have more than one husband. Men are seen as more successful with the greater the amount of wives. It shows that they have the money to support them. In a family, men are the more leading and powerful in the family while the women must obey what the men order. Men expect certain behavior from women like staying home and caring for the children as a housewife. There is a significant difference between what are expected from both genders. (Chapter 2 pg 13)
Marriage
In Ibo culture, marriage is more of the joining of 2 families rather than 2 people. There are many certain traditions to go by when it comes to marriage in this culture. Those who are in the typical age of marriage must take action and find a companion. When the groom meets the family he needs to show signs that he is ready for marriage. There is a certain day when the families get together and discuss the marriage and planning. The bridegroom’s family brings offerings like kola nuts, palm wine, and animals. The man discusses with the bridegrooms family and then eventually the bride’s family will give a response to the proposal. Also, the more gifts the husband gives the family, the better he looks. The brides family must make a payment of money to the grooms family for the bride. This is known as the bride’s price, which is usually very low. A bride’s bride price depends on her or her family’s social standing or her skills. They negotiate the bride price typically with bundles of broomsticks. (Chapter 8 pg 71-72)