Rites of Passage · JHS2 Religious And Moral…

Lesson notes

Learning Objectives

Indicator: B8.2.1.1.4 - Describe how a marriage is contracted in the three main religions in Ghana

By the end of the lesson, learners can:

Define marriage as a legal union between two adults (a man and a woman) and their families.
Outline the general steps in contracting a marriage according to Indigenous African Religion (customary/traditional marriage).
Describe the key steps in contracting a Christian marriage, from expression of interest to the wedding or blessing ceremony.
Describe the key steps in contracting an Islamic marriage, including ijawal-qubal, wali, mahr, al-nikah, and walima.
Explain at least three importance of marriage rites to the couple, their families, and the community.

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Curriculum details

Strand: Religious Practices (Strand 2)
Sub-strand: Rites of Passage (2.1)
Content standard: B8.2.1.1 - Explain rites of passage and identify the moral lessons in them
Indicator: B8.2.1.1.4 - Describe how a marriage is contracted in the three main religions in Ghana
Suggested placement: Term 1, Week 7 (Week 7 of the year)
Our suggestion, laid out in curriculum order across three terms of twelve weeks. NaCCA does not fix the week, so follow your school's scheme of learning.
Curriculum reference: Religious and Moral Education, Common Core Programme (JHS1-JHS3), 2023, p. 32
Transcribed from the official NaCCA publication. Check this page against the source.

Exemplars (from the NaCCA curriculum)

1. Explain the term marriage.
• Marriage is a legal union between two adults (man and woman) and their families.
• Types of Marriage Ceremonies (Rites).
o Customary/Traditional Marriage,
o Islamic marriage and
o Christian marriage.
2. Describe how marriage is performed in the three major religions.
A. Indigenous African Religion
Every ethnic group has its own way of performing the marriage ceremony. However, there is a general pattern to follow:
• Expression of interest by the man's family
• Background investigation by both families
• Giving of a list of items by the family of the female to the male's family
• Knocking ceremony
• Fixing of date for the performance of the marriage ceremony
• Payment of bride gift, etc.
B. Christianity
Christian marriage goes through the following procedure:
• Expression of interest by the man's family
• Courtship and counselling
• Traditional marriage rites
• Wedding/blessing ceremony (exchange of vows and rings).
C. Islam
The process includes the following procedure:
• Proposal and acceptance of a woman in marriage (ijawal-qubal).
• Wali - consent of the two families
• Payment of dowry (mahr or sadiqat)
• Marriage (al-nikah) - Deliverance of a sermon by imam to bless the marriage. There should be two sincere honest witnesses from each family.
• Merrymaking (walima), etc.
3. In three groups, learners use a short sketch to demonstrate how marriage rites are performed in each of the three religions.
4. Identify and explain the importance of marriage rites.
Importance of marriage rites
• Legitimacy to the marriage
• Introduction of the couple to the community
• Couple learns their roles and responsibilities in marriage
• Discourage irresponsible sexual behaviour, etc.