Veteran Nollywood actor, Chief Pete Edochie, has stirred conversations with his recent remarks on the value of African marital traditions compared to Western practices. In a new interview, the revered thespian emphasized that Nigerians—particularly the Igbo—uphold marriage in a way that the Western world can learn from.
Speaking on his own experience, Edochie, who has been married for over 56 years, attributed the success of his union to the respect and discipline instilled by African culture. He lamented that the rise of Western influence has led to a gradual erosion of these values among younger Nigerians.
The actor particularly frowned at the increasing trend of men kneeling to propose, describing it as a foreign act that has no place in Igbo culture. He argued that such gestures contradict the masculine authority that tradition assigns in African marriages.
“Our culture teaches us that the man is the head of the home. When you see a man kneel to propose, he’s submitting to the woman before marriage even begins. That’s not who we are,” he said.
Edochie stressed that while change is inevitable, not all foreign customs should be adopted, especially those that undermine the essence of African values.
According to him, the West may have modern structures, but in matters of marriage, their high divorce rates indicate a lack of foundational strength. He insisted that Africans, through their emphasis on family, respect, and cultural roles, could teach Westerners how to preserve and sustain marriages.
“Marriage to us is sacred. We don’t throw it away like it’s nothing. That’s something we can teach the white man,” Edochie concluded.
His comments have since sparked wide reactions, with many agreeing with his stance, while others argue for a balance between cultural preservation and modernization.