THE CLASH BETWEEN CHRISTIANITY AND INDIGENOUS CULTURE IN CONTEMPORARY NIGERIAN MARRIAGES: THE ROLE OF LANGUAGE, MEDIA, AND LITERACY

Abstract

In contemporary times, the conflict between religion and culture has become increasingly alarming. In present-day Nigeria, religion has taken precedence over culture in marital decisions, often disregarding cultural values, conventions, and requirements. This study analyses various perspectives that illustrate the dominance of religious practices over cultural norms in Nigeria. Data are drawn from social media posts, focus group discussions, library resources, and internet-based print materials. A survey design and multistage sampling method are employed. The analysis utilises interpretive methods, thematic and content analyses, as well as statistical tools such as percentages, tables, and four-point Likert scale coding. The findings reveal several trends: weddings are often cancelled after traditional marriage rites, when a bride informs a cleric of her intention to retain her church affiliation; divorce is increasingly accepted, contrary to the traditional Igbo and many other cultures’ rejection of it; wives show reverence to clerics while exhibiting disrespect towards their husbands and cultural heritage; and religious doctrines are prioritized, while cultural traditions are criticised or rejected. The study concludes that the prioritisation of religion over culture has led to the neglect, erosion, and endangerment of ideal marital cultural practices among the Igbo and other indigenous peoples of Africa and beyond. It recommends the effective use of language, critical literacy in educational curricula, and sensitisation through new media as key strategies for addressing this issue religion against tradition.