COMPARATIVE STUDY OF CULTURAL ATTITUDE TOWARDS INTER–ETHNIC MARRIAGE AMONG HAUSA, FULANI AND KANURI ETHNIC GROUPS IN THE NORTHERN PART OF NIGERIA
Popoola, Olusoji David
Department of Sociology and Anthropology,
Igbinedion University Okada, Edo state, Nigeria
Email: popoolaolusojidavid@yahoo.com
& popoolaolusojidavid@gmail.com
Abstract
The importance of inter- ethnic marriages among a plural state like Nigeria could not be over emphasized. Apart from serving as a bond between people of different backgrounds, it is a veritable tool of national integration and social cohesion. However, marriage is a cultural phenomenon and as such, the culture of a society or a group of people regulates the principle and practice of marriage and union among members. Thus, the attitude of an individual to marriage and especially inter-ethnic marriage it’s a function of the cultural determinants. Using cross-sectional survey design and a combination of cluster and convenient sampling methods 348 Respondents were randomly selected from the Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri ethnic groups in northern Nigeria. A five-item scale (Cultural Attitude towards Inter-ethnic Marriage Inventory – (CATIMI) was used for data collection. Data collected were statistically analyzed while four hypotheses in the study were tested. Results obtained showed that factors such as, Security, Peace, and harmony, educational status, as well as religion, significantly influenced the cultural attitude towards inter–ethnic marriages among Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri ethnic groups in Northern Nigeria. Therefore, to achieve cohesion and sustainable integration among the three major ethnic groups in northern Nigeria, efforts should be made to improve the cultural attitude towards inter -ethnic marriages. To achieve this, the Federal Government of Nigeria should provide an enabling environment for security, peace and harmonious co-existence among various ethnic groups in Nigeria. Provision of universal and qualitative education, as well as programmes and policies that will promote inter-religious harmony, should also be implemented.