Tradition of marriage equality in Igboland, Nigeria

June 23, 2009

Nigerian Tribune
June 19, 2009
One of the contentious issues in the debate over marriage equality is whether a marriage between persons of the same gender is totally alien to African culture and tradition. Those opposing the freedom to marry have continued to argue that same gender union is foreign to Africa. On the contrary, I have tried to draw their attention to the fact that there is a strain of the same gender marriage in African tradition particularly in Igboland. This is a situation where people are permitted to break taboos and deviate from traditions. This marriage practice pre- dates Christianity and the so- called western culture. Individuals are becoming more open, more assertive and expressive with their sexual and marriage choices, desires, orientations and identities. [Link]