In a recent Facebook post, Asari Dokubo, a prominent Chieftain of the Kalabari people, shared a personal story from his family life. He recounted that when his younger sister was preparing to marry, he informed his father—speaking as the first son—that he would not attend the ceremony if it was held outside their hometown. His stance reflected a deep commitment to cultural tradition and the importance of preserving their roots.
Expanding on the incident, Dokubo explained that his father had planned to conduct the traditional marriage in a foreign land. He opposed the idea and urged his father to return the ceremony to their ancestral home. Despite his plea, his father refused to change the venue, highlighting a generational divide in their perspectives on cultural adherence and modern practices.
According to him, “Years ago, my younger sister wanted to get married, and my father, who is of royal blood, wanted to organize what he called a traditional marriage. I don’t know what is called traditional marriage in Port Harcourt, and at that time, I was penniless—I had nothing. As the first son, I told my father, you can’t conduct traditional marriage on foreign land. If you want to conduct a marriage, go home and conduct it. He said no, that I had no say. I said, don’t involve me in this marriage. Traditionally, the drinks that were supposed to come to me—I said don’t involve me; I don’t want to take the drinks. A High Court judge of royal blood, he was not an illiterate. He thought I was joking when I said I would not attend his so-called marriage. I told my father, as the first son, I will not attend your so-called marriage. It’s not a marriage; it’s an abuse of the process—and I did not attend.”
