THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY AMONG THE EWES IN GHANA.
The informal relations between young lovers are given a stamp of seriousness and permanence by a ceremony known as ‘vɔƒoƒo’ or knocking. The bridegroom’s parents send his father’s sister and his brother's mother’s sister to the bride’s parents to ask formally for the hand of the bride. On arrival at the girl’s house, her parents enquire about the reason for the deputation and after hearing it, send them away for about a week whiles they consider the matter. The reason for postponing this is that customarily we do not give an immediate reply to any question of major importance. This also gives them time to make inquiries about the man and his parents if they have not done so already. They must establish the man is of good stock, able to support his wife in the manner to which she has been accustomed, and from a family free of hereditary defects, witchcraft, and criminal mentality. If the bride’s people are satisfied on all these counts and the girl also agrees to the proposal, the...