In Cameroon, civil law upholds the principle of marital freedom, granting every individual the right to freely choose their spouse and personally consent to marriage. The legal framework mandates that this consent must be both voluntary and informed, free from any form of coercion or violence.
Yet, despite these protections, traditional customs in certain communities continue to dictate that parents select spouses for their children. This practice remains deeply rooted in regions like the West-Cameroun, where families prioritize lineage and reputation when arranging unions.
Waffo Marie Chantal, a resident of the Madagascar neighborhood in Yaoundé, explains the rationale behind this tradition. “When a parent selects a bride for their son, it’s to protect him from making a poor choice,” she says. “The family background is scrutinized across generations to ensure the potential match doesn’t come from a lineage of idleness. Once the decision is made, parents from both sides meet, and if mutual agreement is reached, the couple is informed and the customary marriage proceeds.” She emphasizes that in her community, marriage is seen as a union of families, not just individuals.
However, younger generations are increasingly rejecting this practice. Audrey Wandji, a resident of Biyem-Assi, shares her perspective. “We’re no longer living in an era where parents dictate who their daughters marry,” she asserts. “I would never accept such an arrangement. I want a partner I love wholeheartedly, and that can only be someone I’ve chosen myself.”
