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Aspects Of Koro Morphology
CHAPTER ONE -- [Total Page(s) 5]
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Marriage System and Rites
Marriage is a
necessity to every human society. It is the only formal universal
approach to procreation. The Koros make marital negotiations between
both party in an highly confidential manner. The bride and the groom are
excluded from this arrangement in other to avoid premarital sex and
other forms of immorality that may perspire by virtue of their
knowledge. Besides, premarital sex is forbidden and frowned at. The
bride as a matter of tradition must undergo different physical fitness
exercises like, carrying of wood for seven days. This exercise is meant
to ascertain her level of fitness.
Marriage ceremony in Ija-Koro is
usually elaborate, it is accomplished or organized with traditional
display of all sorts. It is intriguing that, it may attract the
attention of on lookers. The most frightening aspect of this display is
the physical combat between young boys of similar weight. Unlike in
other parts of Nigeria where marriage is celebrated in the daytime, in
Ija-Koro, celebration galore starts at night with intriguing traditional
dances. Maiden (s) are no ground to entertain guest with terrific dance
step. One distinct thing about their marriage system is that a girl of
14 or 15 may be given out in marriage. Every father in Koro sees it as a
pride to witness the marriage of his son. The father may cast a cause
on the son if he decided not to marry at the appropriate time.
Burial Rites
Death
is accompanied just like any other tribes with sorrow and agony.
Anytime a person travels to the world beyond, people gather at the
village square to sympathize with the family of deceased. Interestingly
relatives of the dead come out in mass with different masquerade and
these masquerade are traditionally expected till dawn. Before the corpse
is deposited in the grave, several processes are involved, first the
masquerade jumps over the corpse seven times as farewell message. The
body of the corpse will be designed with ashes culturally regarded as
“Kajiâ€. After which a well fashioned clothe called “shachi†is designed
for the burial of the corpse. As part of the burial rite, a mortar is
placed at the front of deceased’s house, one of his relative sits on it
while the corpse is placed at the front of the mortar like a living
being. Relatives, friends, sons and grandsons, honour the corpse with
money at his forehead. It is expected that, the money will serve the
benefit of transport faire to his ancestors. Moreover a masquerade gives
a violent shout to indicate or shows readiness for burial. All females
are banned from staying outside during the burial proper. Before the
female are sent indoor, a group of females traditionally called
“Alarache†will bid a farewell to the corpse with their song. A goat and
a fowl are slaughtered as burial atonement. The corpse will later be
carried shoulder high in readiness for the grave. The specialists known
as ‘Abuya’ are waiting by the grave side to do the final part of the
burial. At the end, the two of the corpse relatives are called upon to
bid the deceased goodbye seven days with dancing and a formal ceremony
will be inaugurated as final relecdictory service.
CHAPTER ONE -- [Total Page(s) 5]
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