Negotiating marriage: questions of morality and legitimacy in the Ghanaian Pentecostal diaspora
Among the many immigrant groups that have settled in the Netherlands, the recently arrived migrants from Ghana have been perceived by the Dutch state as especially problematic. Explicit measures have been taken to investigate marriages of Ghanaians, as these appeared to be an avenue by which many ac...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Print Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Brill
2004
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| In: |
Journal of religion in Africa
Year: 2004, Volume: 34, Issue: 4, Pages: 438-467 |
| Further subjects: | B
Cultural standard
B Church B Legislation B Einflussgröße B Ethnic group B Morals B Diaspora Religion B Netherlands B Minority B Value B Ghanaer B Foreign country B Marriage B Norm Ethics B Culture |
| Parallel Edition: | Electronic
Non-electronic |
| Summary: | Among the many immigrant groups that have settled in the Netherlands, the recently arrived migrants from Ghana have been perceived by the Dutch state as especially problematic. Explicit measures have been taken to investigate marriages of Ghanaians, as these appeared to be an avenue by which many acquired access to the Dutch welfare state. While the Dutch government tightened its immigration policies, many Ghanaian Pentecostal churches were emerging in the Ghanaian immigrant communities. An important function of these churches is to officiate over marriages; marriages that are perceived as lawful and righteous in the eyes of the migrant community but nonetheless do not have any legal basis as far as the Dutch state is concerned. This contribution explores why the Ghanaian community attributes great moral significance to these marriages that are taking place within their Pentecostal churches. (J Relig Afr/DÜI) |
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| ISSN: | 0022-4200 |
| Contains: | In: Journal of religion in Africa
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