Bridging Tradition and Agency: Female Nuptial Negotiation Performances of Alago and Yoruba Culture

Abstract

African folk culture is rich, diverse and deeply rooted in traditions across diverse cultures. This culture deeply shapes nuptial negotiations, how marriages are formed and understood, making marriage a communal affair. The language of nuptial negotiations in Nigeria is a rich, complex cultural performance, conveyed with respect through stories, proverbs, symbolism and metaphorical language. The study interrogates how women from both cultures transform nuptial negotiations from a ritual exchange into a platform of strategic agency to assert their identity, voices, negotiate their value and desires within a complex patriarchal tradition. The study adopts qualitative analysis approach; combining electronic recordings and field research data. It finds out that women utilize linguistic strategy, symbolic language, proverbial expressions, persuasive techniques, performative power of praise and prayer to heighten the value of the bride and showcase their creativity, intelligence and wisdom. This study demonstrates how women's negotiations, narrations and performances in traditional marriages not only reveal their individuality, self-awareness and agency but also contribute to the rich cultural traditions of their communities. Contrary to simplistic narratives of female passivity, the paper concludes that the Nigerian woman is a skillful negotiator who uses language to exercise agency and influence.