| Marriage in Africa is strictly defined as union between | | | | workers. A prospective woman, looking wanting to |
| a man and woman. The union does not have to be | | | | get married has to confirm that the man has the |
| officiated by a "government recognized authority". | | | | qualities. She checks with friends and family members |
| There are customary procedures that make this | | | | to avoid being disappointed later in marriage. The |
| commitment legally biding. There are, however, | | | | woman feels more secure if she can physically prove |
| mandatory major rolls that can never be | | | | that the man is capable of maintaining her if they |
| overemphasized. The husband is bread winner and | | | | were to marry. This now becomes green pasture for |
| the wife cooks and takes care of the house. | | | | the wife in marriage. The man proves to the world |
| Happiness in the home is centered on self | | | | of his ability to supply to the wife. Her roll is to settle |
| entertainment with food. The wife must, therefore, | | | | happily on supplies provided by the man. Again, |
| be a master in the kitchen. To make it short, the | | | | another endless eating which results in developing |
| traditional family budget is about food, no provisions | | | | obesity. |
| for exercise whatsoever. Thank God that education | | | | Africans enjoy social gatherings. These could either |
| is changing this mindset. | | | | be family, friends or community related. People will |
| Typical African honeymoon takes place in the same | | | | gather and socialize for hours. They may be poor but |
| home the couple gets married. This is the time the | | | | food is freely available. Cattle, goats, sheep and |
| bride proves her true feminine qualities. Her cooking | | | | chicken are freely raised in the country. This is |
| skills will be put to test while the man has to prove | | | | enough supply for their meat. Parties relax the mind. |
| himself by eating the food, no excuses whatsoever. | | | | Endless feasting results in causing neighborhood |
| Overeating is never considered. Custom requires that | | | | obesity. |
| the newly wed takes care of the spouse who has | | | | Chiefs and other ranking tribal leaders receive gifts |
| never had an opportunity to be fed. It does not take | | | | from the communities they govern. The gifts may be |
| long before the man starts responding to this | | | | partly intended to be in exchange for favors. Poor |
| specialized attention. The body blows up because of | | | | communities have more of food and rarely have |
| a "No exercise" lifestyle". The wife now gains | | | | money. This is more food for the chief, resulting in |
| neighborhood esteem for being a good woman. A | | | | the leader developing obesity. |
| man will proudly look forward to getting married to | | | | The best that can be done is to provide educational |
| such a woman. | | | | programs that will eventually give better hope for the |
| African men are required by custom to be hard | | | | dying folks. |