iI/iiy/iia/iiw/iio/ii S/iia/iir/iiaa/i and iGbami o rami/i: Exhuming the History of Gifted Wife in Marriage and Its Implications in Contemporary Yoruba Society, Nigeria

Marriage is a sacred institution ordained by Olódùmarè, God in Yorùbá belief. In Africa, particularly among the Yorùbá, the circle of life is not complete without marriage. Marriage in Yorùbáland entails some processes and rites among which are Ìfojúsóde - looking out for a suitor, Alárenà - suitor’s intermediary, owo ìdè̩giri and ìjó̩hìn - money for accepting proposal, owó orí - bride price and so on. However, it is not all forms of marriage in Yorùbá society that are accorded these processes and rites. Among such is Ìyàwó Sàráà (Sadaqh Wife) and Gbàmí o ràmí (Rescued from Shame). Ìyàwó Sàráà is a wife given out in alms (in marriage) among Muslim Yorùbá in western part of Nigeria. While Gbàmí o ràmí is rescued from shame wife given (in marriage) to a traditional healer who is familiar with the history of ailment afflicting such a woman. Previous studies have examined marriage in Yorùbá society from socio-cultural and economic dimensions. However, historical and anthropological approaches to marriage have not enjoyed sufficient historical engagement. To address this gap in historical scholarship therefore, this study investigates the motive, context, and implications of such marriages on the people involved and the general Yorùbá society. Primary data is gathered through oral interviews and telephone calls that was conducted with five Babaláwo - Ifa Priests, five traditional healers, five Muslim clerics, five Ìyàwó sàráà and five Gbàmí o ràmí wives. Archival materials and other relevant secondary data were consulted. Information generated was content-analysed. It is hoped that an investigation into these marriages will extend the frontiers of research in marriage in the Yoruba society and Nigeria in general.