THE CONCEPT OF MARRIAGE IN TAROK NATIVE LAW AND CUSTOMS:

   The Tarok people are found in six Local government Areas in the Southern part of Plateau State. Tarok people has sizeable presence in neighboring Taraba and Nasarawa States. Like every other African society, marriage is the basic unit of family in tarok social system. It is known as nkam uchar. Under Tarok native law and customs, marriage is define as life relationship between two families as apposed to the western traditions which conceived marriage as a union between two people excluding all. This definition limited marriage to the partners only against all other interests. while to the tarok marriage is a family affair where the entire process is seen as family responsibilities. Little wonder, the concept of divorce is not known to tarok native laws and customs. Whenever, there is irreconcilable differences between a man and his wife, the woman may relocate to her parents house pending when the man is able to appease her by reassuring of his commitments to her before she returns to her matrimonial home. sometimes the woman may remain there as long as even over a decade, but in the circumstance the man can assess her and even raise children while in her parents house.
   A woman to a tarok is an indispensable companion that is considered weak which deserves petting with high tension lobby to keep her under control. however, in doing this, the tarok man has no tolerance for certain excesses which contemporary family system accommodates. There are defined rights and privileges of women that a man must observe. Any violation of these social norms generates sever social consequences. For example, the kitchen is regarded as exclusive monopoly of a woman which is located in amulok, female wing of the compound. Any act of trespass by the man into this area without express permission in the day time is absurdity that must be sanctioned. However, the movement of the man is permissible only in the night and it is normal because he may be on routine inspection of his wife's health otherwise except on emergencies.
   Also worthy of note is the fact that certain acts have cultural meanings attached to them. when a man picks his wife broom and throws it outside means that she should pack and go to her parent's house for proper re-orientation or better still if a man when serve with his meal complains of lack of insufficient salt taste in the soup means that she was not properly brought up by her mother. In tarok, it is an insult on the integrity of her home up bringing which her family may not take lightly. It is believed that a well groomed woman must assess the taste of the food and ensure that it is befitting before approaching her husband with it. These values are fast fading away due to influence of adopted western values which does not share the same value content.
The significance of marriage is captured by a display of onim gyi jam (play partners) during the funeral of a matured but unmarried adult. It is a traditions of mockery on the family of the deceased. Whenever an unmarried man or woman is dead, onim ga jam (play partners) will lay ambush at the gate of the compound armed with ashes (njwan) and igbongbar ( small round stone used in sharpening grinding stone). When the remains of the deceased bachelor or spinster is removed for interment women from play partners clan (ocha gyi jam) will throw a rolling stone known as igbongbar accompany by ashes after the remains bearer's foot steps saying 'curse is he who was born and never born, go and go forever, may this society never produce your type again'. This act is a satire that conveys the society disapproval for irresponsibility, because tarok traditions considers inability to marry as peak of in responsibility.
   This traditions underscore the tarok philosophy of marriage as mark of responsibility, which applies to most black societies. Marriage is the parameter to measure responsibility. An unmarried person cannot contribute to any discussion at meeting in Nkalang because it is believed that he or she has nothing to offer. Sometimes orim (masquerades) can intervene to impose marriage by compelling such people to come together as husband and wife which has actually worked. Such marriage is usually between matured people of opposite sexes who had demonstrated unwillingness to marry. Usually, the orim will move from their shrine known as ibong orim in the night, advance to the house of the lady with songs reflecting their mission. On arrival their intention is made known to the family head (unim gan zhi) base on traditional protocol. Then Orim will obtain permission from the father to accompany her to a husband's house because she has over-stay her welcome in the house. Unim gan zhi will oblige naturally, then orim will occupy the female wing called amulok, remove the lady and escort her to a man's house. The man in most circumstances will be her type, unmarried known as unim kpari.
    This type of marriage is known as npang uchar ko rim (masquerade solemnization). It is usually embark upon by orim as disapproval for contempt to the marriage institution. After this the groom will show appreciation by performing traditional rites (nna lifir orim) which is a covenant of acceptance. Thereafter, the groom will perform all necessary traditions of nim igwar (marriage rites) to his in-laws. The import of western civilization has impacted negatively on the tarok philosophy of marriage. The concept of free will, an integral aspect of the libertarian philosophy of individualism is western traditions. While Communism which focus on collective interest for the common good of all is the tarok philosophy. Today, this social control mechanism is limited to those who practice the traditional religion while Christianity frowns at it. While, Islam has this practice as part of its traditions, the only difference is that instead of orim, the parents are enjoined to impose the marriage on the matured but unwilling persons. The evolution of gay traditions which is fast gaining acceptance in the black culture is as a result of collapse of certain moral institutions that guarantee the existence of the family. Since culture is dynamic, then on coming ugly traditions of gay culture which is rearing its ugly head in western traditions is a great challenge to the marriage institution. Imagine, the Western Missionaries compelled our fore fathers to abandon polygamy just for them to replace it with same sex marriage where churches in Europe have been performing same sex church weddings. I prefer polygamy instead of gay because polygamy has positive value to family institutions but gay is counter productive. These developments is a threat to tarok family institution.
   In no distant future, the black race which embraced certain western values as part of religion will realize the deceit incorporated in the hidden agenda of colonialism which replaced our cherished heritage with some religious practices by smuggling their traditions alongside. For the tarok nation cultural revival remains the alternative because we cannot afford to be more catholic than the Pope. Its time we measure some of the western cultural practices with the roots of ou cultural heritage. Iam of the opinion that all our traditional practices that do not offended the basis of faith should be integrated into the church traditions but repugnant and offensive practices be discard. How long can we continue to provide refuge for mature and unwilling adults who had refused to take responsibilities but have a colony of girl friends with children born out of wed lock equivalent to the size of a class room yet the church lack the power to enforce responsibility except prayers. This neglect of responsibilities by the church will definitely encourage gay traditions. And to my mind the time cannot be better than now when the ovation is loudest.
Written by Solomon Selcap Dalung, LLB, LB, LLM.