TRADITIONAL MARRIAGES IN THE NSO LAND

Bui is one of the divisions under the N.W. Province in Cameroon.  It has six sub divisions and its population in 2008 was estimated at 420,000 people, and the capital of Bui Division is called Kumbo. The Nso people are regarded as the grassland people and their traditional language is called Lamnso (Language of Nso). The Fon of Nso is the traditional ruler, both respected by his people and the government. The Fon’s palace is called “Ntoh Nso”, known as the centre for social and cultural festivities. The Nso society is divided in lineage group often referred to as the “Big Compound” and they are ruled by traditional heads known as “Fais” instituted by the Fon of Nso. Like all traditional heads, they do not shake hands with humans as traditional demands.

Traditional marriage rites take place in most Big Compounds and as tradition demands, the groom to be must visit the family of the bride. The parents of the bride have little say about what will be given as a bride’s price. The price for the first girl of a family is paid at the mother’s family Big Compound as tradition requires, and the other girls are paid for at the father’s Big Compound. Tradition of the family compound demands that is what was paid for your mother will be the same that will be paid for you, the bride to be, and it can be in the form of cash or kind, but mostly the groom’s family is provided with a list of things to bring as a bride- price. 

The most common items on the list are red oil, salt, matches, roofing zinc, palm wine, hen, cock (rooster), goats and loin clothes commonly known as wrappers. Items like the chicken will be slaughtered for the traditional rite and offered as sacrifice to the gods together with the palm wine. This is done to ensure a happy marriage life with children which tradition regards as being so important. At the ritual area where only the head of the family can visit and who can be the Fai, Shey, and Biki will sprinkle red oil and salt to awake the gods.  As a sign of acceptance that the girl wants the groom to be her husband, palm wine is poured in a traditional cup made from pumpkin skin by the head of the Big Compound. He makes a speech, drinks a bit and asks the girl to drink a bit, then hands over the rest to the man who will become her husband. The husband then must finish the wine that is left in the cup to show he has taken possession of his wife. The remaining items will be shared to the people living in the Big Compound. You may be wondering what happens to the roofing zinc, it is used to build a new house in the big compound for children who come home to visit. Traditional marriages in Nso land are a great symbol.