Divorce

 
 
 
Yoruba believes that marriage should be a live-long journey, but in some cases, it may not be; therefore, marriage dissolution might be necessary. A man or woman is allowed to seperate in order to resolve matters affecting marital relationship, but should seperation fails, divorce may be a better option left. However, divorce is allowed on the following:

Divorce among Yoruba women in times past was very rare. In fact, a woman would take to cognizance the future of her children in a home with a step-mother and half siblings; the shame, and the possibility of remaining un-marry again (Dalemoṣu), which no woman wants. And since Yoruba is a male-dominated society, some of the issues a woman may raise for divorce may not be culturally acceptable; except in an extreme situation of physical abuse (when there is a risk to life). Other reasons may include: impotence, debilitating family illness which might not be known before marriage, but now known, and other issues considered as threat to life and peaceful co-existence of the couple.

If divorce is the solution, both families would follow all the dissolution steps within Yoruba cultural and legal framework as then practiced; finally, some senior citizen males, (family head, not inclusive) in the house of the groom would lead the bride back to her family home, while males of equal rank would receive the bride. Bride-price is returned to the groom’s family if paid on wedding day. If the union is blessed with children, the father will have the custody of the older children; while the mother will take with her the infant until such a child is of age, and then return to his or her father. The society today has changed from what it was in the past. Since people nowadays undertake civil marriage in local courts, dissolution is also through the court. Notices/summons for dissolution are filed by either party, and then the court procedure is followed to the letter before dissolution is allowed. Issues relating to children custody, alimony, sharing of jointly owned property are also handled by the court.