Marriage is both an indispensable rite and obligation every Igbo person must live up to. In the Igbo ontological society, marriage means more than mere union between a man and a woman. It defines the essence of life and serves as the means through which "Chukwu onye okike" (God the creator) brings man into life and so, it is through marriage that kindreds emerge and are sustained. Through marriage, societies, communities come into existence hence, the collective effort of everyone in making every marriage successful.

Marriage in Igbo society is laden with customs and traditions and part of these is age. Both persons are expected to have reached a particular age as allowed by customs before they could be joined. However, this is depenedent on the eco-socio-cultural epochs of the Igbo society.

In time past especially, the pre-colonial period when Igbo society was dorminantly communal and subsistent economically, a man was expected to have reached the age of marriage when he was old enough to have his own farm, grow the power to cultivate on the land and stock his own yam barn. The lady would be married out when she had learnt the necessities of the family; like perfecting her cooking skills, courtesy and character control. The age for men then, would range from 21-30. For female, it would take between 16-25.

It is worthy of note that marriage then was put up collectively, in the society. In-laws and relatives gave their contributions as exemplified in the communal system of the Igbo society; they shared collectively and celebrated collectively.

However, with the turn of history and change in soietal systems of economy, politics, culture and with advanced socialisation, huge differences markout the age for marriage of the pre-colonial era and our contemporary time. For one, the society has shifted from the classical communalism to re-invented western-foised capitalism.

Individuals especially the man, now take full responsibilities of their marriages. Safe the assistance from family and friends and other concerned relatives, the man must marry from his own pocket. To marry from one's own pocket however, isn't easy a thing to do except the man isvery rich. The traditional requirements and rites now accept money as alternatives which was not the case.

Present economic systems and globalisation have aided, so to say, immensely to the greater burden a man most certainly faces in marriage. In all however, the man must abide by the customs and traditions of the society. He must provide major prerequisites before he contemplates marrying. He must have an apartment of his own where he would welcome his wife to come, a source of income and must have developed the character necessary for taking family responsibility.

So, it is sort of difficlut to tell the right time for a man to marry, so as it is for the woman considering the many realities of today. This is becoming a social problem today.

In a poll carried out on what time is right for a man and a woman to be married, answers varried as represneted below.

So, I ask, with the realties of today, what age is rife and appropriate for a man and a woman to get married?

Review the answers below before engaging.

Ans1...Female: going by the economic situation of the country, a woman ought to have concluded schooling before getting married. In schools, married women are burdened with taking care of their babies and focusing on academics. A woman should therefore, marry after school, from age 24.

For men, it depends, you know they say the world (time) of men is longer. For me, 28,29,30 is ok...from that range. By then, the person must have been established in any career he ventured into.

Ans2...Male: with the situation of Nigeria, one can't specify the age. A man ought to have graduated from school or gained freedom in apprenticeship...bt 28-32. For women, it depends. Some don't like to got to school, they prefer to learn trade while others go to school. A woman should marry when she is well abreast of what is obtained in marriage....bt 20-25.

Ans3...Female: for women, it should be 25 cos, after that, it becomes difficult for a woman to get married as she ages.

Ans4...Male: For women, it should be 25. Atleast at that age a woman should have either gained admission or finished schooling and she ought to have known lots about marriage. For men, 30, so that they can prepare financially and establish themselves.

Ans5...Male: women, from 24,25. For the only child, it should be 26, for men who have male siblings, 30-3.

Drop in your answers.

http://igbobia.com/?q=at-what-age-should-igbo-man-woman-marryread-this-before-you-answer.html

Lalasticlala

What about Yoruba Muslims? They have right to marry underage girls too