Why Ịjụ Ase Before Marriage is Very Important.
There are many reasons why ịjụ ase is a vital part of our culture.
In most cases, people question why some Igbo communities don’t marry outside. Take Ndi Abiriba, for example; they rarely marry outside Abiriba. In fact, I have not encountered an Abiriba man or woman marrying beyond their neighbors, such as Igbere, Arochukwu, Item, Abam Ụtụtụ, and some other towns nearby. I deeply appreciate their culture because it enables them to conduct necessary inquiries and background checks.
Ịjụ ase is a systematic way of researching the family background and history of the future husband or wife. It’s crucial to know certain things. Is the family prone to madness? Are there any criminal tendencies? Is there a history of serious illnesses in the family? Are they from a cursed lineage? Do they have a predisposition to early death?
You can’t just bring anyone home as your husband or wife without following necessary procedures. It’s essential, no matter how deep your love is.
The essence of ịjụ ase is epitomized in the Igbo saying: “A jụghị ajụ eri na-ebute, a rịaghị arịa anwụ” – When you don’t ask questions before eating, it can cause you to die without being sick.
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