A Nigerian man who is a doctor has taken to the micro blogging platform, Twitter, to defend Igbo parents who stop their children from marrying outside their ethnic group.
Wading into the conversation ignited by a Twitter influencer’s disclosure of her marriage plans being crashed by her Igbo boyfriend’s mother because she is Yoruba, @urchilla01, claimed that these Igbo parents are the ones who experienced the civil war and the deep hatred and divide which was fostered by other tribes after the war.
He also pointed out that there is a lot of difference in traditional beliefs and practices between the different tribes in Nigeria.
“I’m tired of seeing people express disgust when they read stories about igbo parents rejecting marriages for their children to other tribes! I’m really tired of it! These parents are the ones that experienced the civil war!” he tweeted.
“These parents are the ones that grew up in the deep hatred & divide that followed the war, fostered by other tribes!”
“Stop blaming them for rejecting inter-tribal marriages! They have the right to the paranoia that they express! If you’re lucky to have an igbo person whose parents don’t mind, or who’s strong enough to fight for both of you, then thank God for you; but by all means stop blaming these parents!”
“Again, it’s obvious there’s a lot of difference in traditional beliefs & practices between the different tribes of Nigeria! The way marriage is patterned in Nigeria, you’re not only getting married to your spouse, you’re also getting married into or to their family!”
“Don’t blame them for taking care to ensure they have in-laws who have the same values as them! Please dead this criticism, it’s all so cliche now! Also, if you’re dating someone, discuss these things!”
“Don’t wait till after 6 years of courtship & realise the family don’t want another tribe! Stop shooting yourselves in the damn foot! Urrggghh!”
“A lot of comments here just show that you people don’t understand that marriage is an “institution”. You think it’s just to find one person your heart is doing kikum kikum for & rush to altar E go shock you.”