The Role of Marriage. During the period 500-1590, West Africans practiced many forms of cohabitation. The institution of marriage was probably the most important means of cementing social relations between clans, preserving tradition and culture, and codifying social customs. As John S. Mbiti has observed,

For African peoples, marriage is the focus of existence. It is the point where all members of a given community meet: the departed, the living and those yet to be born. All the dimensions of time meet here, and the whole drama of history is repeated, renewed and revitalized. . . . marriage is a duty, a requirement from the corporate society, and a rhythm of life in which everyone must participate. . . . Failure to get married under normal circumstances means that the person concerned has rejected society and society rejects him in return.

Many variations of marriage existed...