Ghanaian Traditional Marriage List: All you need to know about the engagement list for Akan and Ewe

Ghana, the land of vibrant cultures and diverse ethnic groups, has a tapestry of wedding traditions that paint a beautiful picture of unity in diversity. The customs include getting an engagement list for traditional marriage in Ghana.

The West African country has over 50 ethnic groups. The six major ethnic groups in Ghana include the Akan (an estimated 47.5%), Mole-Dagbon (an estimated 16.6%), Ewe (an estimated 13.9%), Ga-Adangbe (an estimated 7.4%), Gurma (an estimated 5.7%) and Guan (an estimated 3.7%). There are other ethnic groups like the Grusi, Kusaasi, Bikpakpaam and the Konkomba people.

Despite the different cultures across the country, Ghana has three types of marriages with one of them involving getting a Ghanaian traditional marriage list.

Types of marriages in Ghana

Ghana has three types of marriages namely Customary Marriage which is traditional marriage in Ghana, Civil or Ordinance marriage and Islamic Marriage.

Customary Marriage

Customary Marriage is the most common and traditional form of marriage in Ghana. It is performed in accordance with the customs and traditions of different ethnic groups. During the ceremony, the groom pays a bride price to the bride's family as a symbol of respect and commitment. The marriage is solemnized by a respected traditional authority or a registered customary marriage registrar.

Islamic Marriage

Islamic Marriage is a type of marriage recognized under Islamic Law in Ghana. It involves a contractual agreement between the bride and groom, which is typically signed in the presence of witnesses. The ceremony may also involve the payment of a bride price or dowry. An Islamic cleric or a recognized Islamic marriage registrar officiates the marriage.

Civil or Ordinance Marriage

Civil or Ordinance Marriage is a legally recognized form of marriage in Ghana. It is governed by the Civil or Ordinance Law of the country. The couple signs marriage documents in the presence of a marriage officer, who is usually a magistrate or a registered marriage registrar. The ceremony takes place in a marriage registry or a designated public location, and witnesses are required to be present to validate the marriage.

Engagement list in Ghana

Traditional marriage in Ghana involves the families of both parties and not only the bride and groom-to-be. There are customs and traditional practices that have been put together throughout the years to foster background checks, compatibility, culture and respect throughout the various processes of customary marriages. One such process includes the engagement list for traditional marriage in Ghana where the groom is required to provide a list of items to the bride's family.

Despite the engagement list for traditional marriages running through many of the tribes in Ghana, there are a few other customs and traditions that set these unique tribes apart.

From the Akans to the Ewes, the Gas to the Dagombas, each tribe has its unique customs and rituals that make their weddings a feast for the senses. Here's a look into the fascinating world of some marriages among the different tribes of Ghana but also uniting in similar patterns.

The Ashantis: Royalty and tradition

• The Ashanti tribe, known for its rich cultural heritage, celebrates marriage with grandeur and elegance.
• The bride, adorned in exquisite Kente cloth, is presented with gifts such as gold jewellery, symbolizing wealth and prosperity.
• The traditional marriage ceremony is characterized by rhythmic drumming, lively dancing, and the pouring of libations to honour ancestors.

The Ewes: Colorful traditions and symbolism

• Ewe weddings are a vibrant display of color, joy, and cultural symbolism.
• The "Agbadza" dance, accompanied by the rhythmic beats of drums, unites the couple and signifies their union.

The Gas: Ga-Dangme heritage

• The Ga tribe, with their Ga-Dangme heritage, has unique wedding customs that showcase their deep-rooted traditions.
• Traditional "Atsimevu" dances and melodious "Kpanlogo" rhythms accompany the couple's procession, creating an atmosphere of celebration and unity.

The Dagombas: Traditions preserved

• Among the Dagomba tribe, marriage is a sacred bond that connects families and maintains cultural identity.
• The groom must demonstrate his ability to care for his bride by providing gifts for her family, including livestock and other essentials.
• The ceremony, marked by drumming and dancing, signifies the official union of the couple and the start of their shared journey.

List for traditional marriage in Ghana

Before getting the engagement list, there are some steps and processes a typical Akan traditional marriage. With the Akan tribe having sub-groups like Asante, Adanse, Asen, Bono, Fante, Akuapem, Akyem, Akwamu, Kwahu, Sehwi, Twifo, Awowin, Nzima and Ahanta, these traditional marriage practises are done by a majority of the countries marrying families. These processes can be grouped into the intent to marry, the knocking ceremony which involves the list for traditional marriage in Ghana and the customary marriage.

Intent to marry in a traditional marriage ceremony

When a couple decides to take their relationship to the next step of marriage, the groom-to-be officially makes his intentions known to the family of the bride.

• Informing the family: If a man plans to marry an Akan woman, he should first inform his own family about his intentions.
• Family messenger: The man's family will send a messenger to the woman's family to request a meeting.
• Investigation: The woman's family will take some time to investigate the reputation of the man's family. They may inquire about genetic disabilities, chronic illnesses, criminal records, and other important information.
• Meeting date: If the woman's family is satisfied with the reputation of the man's family and other necessary details, the woman's father will send a messenger to inform the man's family about the date of the meeting.
• Family meeting: The families will meet at the woman's paternal home to discuss the marriage of their children. This is an important gathering to get to know each other and address any concerns or questions.
• Choosing the date: After the meeting, both families will decide on a date for the kɔkɔɔkɔ ceremony, also known as the knocking ceremony. This ceremony marks the official engagement and commitment between the couple. 

Knocking ceremony (Kɔkɔɔkɔ) in traditiona marriages in Ghana

• The knocking ceremony is an important part of the traditional Akan marriage process in Ghana. It involves the groom's family visiting the bride's family before the wedding.
• The groom is accompanied by his parents or senior uncles, who represent his entire extended Akan family.
• The groom's family brings certain items for the ceremony, including bottles of wine, money, and kola nuts.
• They also offer the bride's family "head drinks," which traditionally were two bottles of palm wine but can now be Schnapps or whiskey.
• The bride's family has the option to accept or reject the gifts and drinks. If they accept, it means they have given their formal consent to the marriage.
• Once the gifts are accepted, the families discuss and set a wedding date. On the same day as the knocking ceremony, the bride's family presents the engagement list items to the groom's family.
• Traditionally, the bride had no say in the choice of her husband or the items on the engagement list. However, in modern times, women have the freedom to choose their spouses and can discuss the engagement list with their families.
• The bride can request or advise her parents to request items that the groom can afford. This allows her to ensure that her family does not make unnecessary demands.
• After the knocking ceremony, the groom's family returns home with the list for traditional marriage in Ghana to begin preparations for the wedding ceremony.

Items for knocking: Knocking fee

Engagement list for Akan - Traditional marriages in Ghana

The list for traditional marriages among the Akan tribe of Ghana usually includes the items below. However, families may decide to tweak the list to suit the financial status of the young couple-to-be so as not to overwhelm them with huge cost while paying homage to customs and traditions of the tribe. Here's a list for traditional marriage in Ghana for Akans.

• Dowry (The bride price)
• Six pieces of traditional cloth (for the bride)
• Six pieces of underwear pants
• Six pieces of scarf (traditional headgear)
• Six brassiere
• Suitcase with gifts including clothes, shoes, jewellery for the bride
• Money for the bride as capital to start a business
• ‘Trinsa’ - Selection of Bottle(s) of gin, Schnapps, Whiskey as head drink
• Cloth, footwear and money for mother of the bride
• Whiskey, cloth and money for father of the bride
• Akontasikan - Money for brother(s) of the bride 
• Engagement ring
• Bible 
• Cooking utensils to start a home

Engagement list for Ewe - Traditional marriages in Ghana

Ghanaian engagement list for the Ewe tribe may include all or some of the items listed below. The items are presented by the groom to the bride's family after he officially declares his plans to marry in traditional Ghanaian ceremony. Here's a list for traditional marriage in Ghana for Ewes.

• Bible 
• Engagement ring 
• Six pieces of cloth
• Six pieces of scarf (traditional headgear)
• Six brassiere
• Six night clothing
• 12 underwear
• Waist beads
• Traditional pants
• Two pairs of sandals
• Two sets of jewellery
• Two sets watches
• Suitcase
• Akpeteshie/Dry gin
• Bottles of Schnapps 
• A pot of palm wine 
• Two cartons of beer
• Two crates of soft drinks

Simple traditional Ghanaian marriage terms explained

Bride price

Bride price in traditional Ghanaian marriages is a custom where the groom, either alone or with his family, pays a sum of money or gives valuable items to the bride's family as a part of the marriage arrangements. These items can include money, livestock, commodities, a business or other valuable goods.

Knocking (Kɔkɔɔkɔ)

Think of the 'knocking ceremony' as knocking on someone's door to be welcomed into their home. In the case of traditional Ghanaina marriage ceremony, this involves the man's family officially informing the lady's family about his intention to marry her. It's a way of making a formal announcement and seeking the family's acceptance.

Ghanaian engagement list

It is a list of items from the bride's family to the groom. The groom must buy the items and officially present them to the bride's family as part of the processes of showing intention to marry their child.