IMPACT OF CIVILISATION ON YORUBA MARRIAGE SYSTEM IN THE NEW NORMAL

Abstract

Civilisation has continued to influence social institutions across the world, reshaping cultural values and traditional practices. Among the Yoruba people of south western Nigeria, the marriage institution has experienced significant transformation as a result of modernisation, Western education, religion, globalisation, and contemporary social realities described as the “new normal.” Traditionally, Yoruba marriage is a communal and culturally regulated institution rooted in family involvement, moral discipline, and ritual observance. This study examines the impact of civilisation on the Yoruba marriage system, highlighting areas of continuity, transformation, and cultural erosion. Adopting a descriptive qualitative approach, the study relies on secondary data sourced from academic literature and cultural texts. Findings reveal that while civilisation has introduced positive changes such as gender equity, legal protection, and improved communication between spouses, it has also contributed to the decline of traditional marriage rites, weakening of extended family roles, and erosion of indigenous values. The study concludes that civilisation has produced both beneficial and adverse effects on Yoruba marriage practices and recommends a balanced integration of modern influences with essential cultural traditions to sustain the institution in the new normal.