COLONIALISM AND THE CHANGING PATTERN OF MARRIAGE CUSTOMS AMONG THE AGATU PEOPLE OF THE ERSTWHILE NASARAWA PROVINCE SINCE 1914 A.D

Colonialism was effectively experienced between 1914 and 1960 in Nigeria beginning with Lord F. Lugard through some agents like traditional rulers, Christian missionaries, mosques, churches, schools, among others. The precolonial customs of marriage that was predicated on the principle and practice of abstinence from pre-marital sex and test of virginity of the bride after marriage changed during colonial and post-colonial times. According to Adewale Thompson, it is unfortunate that the traditional custom described above has been ridiculed by the colonial or foreign contacts. Today's emphasis has been on the test for pregnancy. HIV/AIDS before wedding instead of virginity as was the practice among the Agatu in the pre-colonial era. The aim was to deter their young girls from the rampant cases of sexual promiscuity ravaging their society Positive aspects of colonialism such as the today. evolution of modem government, schools, mode of dressing, change in taste, new marriage systems, good roads, media houses, etcetera apart, the majority view today is that its negative consequences' speak volumes in many aspects. Their pre-colonial customs of marriage was the panacea and should continue to be the panacea to the present cultures inherited from the foreign contacts. We can only correct the abnormal changes if we go back to the drawing board and that is - preaching and practicing the pre-colonial marriage customs in the erstwhile Nasarawa Province.