Cameroun. ‘marriage of families, not individuals’: a different time, same customs

in Cameroon, marriage is based on the freedom to choose one’s partner. each individual has the right to freely select their spouse and consent to the union personally.

the law emphasizes that this consent must be free and informed, exempt from any coercion or violence.

despite this legal framework, the consent for marriage still faces resistance from certain communities that enforce traditional practices, which require the choice of a future partner by the parents of girls or boys.

a widely held perception supported by several citizens from the west region of Cameroon, such as waffo marie chantel encountered in the Madagascar neighborhood of yaounde: «when a parent chooses a spouse for their son, it’s to avoid him falling into a bad person. before making this choice, the parent thoroughly examines the targeted family generation by generation. they must ensure that it’s not a family of slackers. once the decision is made, they organize meetings with other parents and if the consent is reciprocal, the future spouses are immediately informed and the marriage is celebrated according to local customs», she stated before adding that marriages in her community unite families and not individuals.

this practice is unfortunately being challenged by new generations. for audrey wandji resident of the biyem-assi neighborhood: «we’re no longer at a time where parents chose partners for their daughters. i can never accept it. i want an man that i love with all my heart, and that can only be someone i’ve chosen myself», she said.