Kusaal Folktales: Communicative Tools for Preserving Indigenous Cultural Values in Ghanaian Marriages

Abstract

Among the Kusaas of Ghana, folktales convey messages that touch on every aspect of the socio-cultural and socio-economic lives of the people. This study discusses the use of folktales to communicate didactic messages on marriage and peaceful social cohesion. The study argues that the folktales of the Kusaas are used to communicate clear societal norms that are meant to guide people on how to choose spouses and how to relate to one another as couples in times of difficulty. They also present culturally defined roles of men and women in marriage and the influence of parents, chiefs, and other opinion-leaders in decision-making relating to marriage. Lessons drawn from the folktales are meant to enhance peaceful co-existence between couples and among other community members. These serve as indigenous ways of curbing unacceptable behaviours that can cause serious misunderstanding.