WEDDINGS IN NIGERIA!!

Weddings in Nigeria are big deals because its a day where so many things happen and where you see all kinds of people,definately not a boring day.Nigeria has 300 different tribes and they all speak different languages, I would be talking about three largest tribes and how they celebrate marriage respectively.

1:EDO-Edo state is at the center of the ancient Benin empire and is very rich in culture and tradition.The traditional wedding takes place int the brides family house.The bride would be dressed in traditional attire of Edo people, the ceremony would be anchored by the "OKAEGBE" the eldest male or the head of the brides family.Kolanuts and palm wine would be presented to the guests,followed by lots of food and drinks.The bride price will be paid in full to the bride's family.The custom is to give them a lot more, but they will only take what is customary and return the rest, urging the groom to use it in his new marriage.The bride would then be placed on her fathers lap at some point, and prayers are offered.During the ceremony, fake brides are brought out by the older women of her family and the groom would be blindfolded and asked to identify his real bride, if he is successful, his bride would be presented to his family.When the ceremony is over, the OVBIOHA(NEW BRIDE) is escorted in a procession by her friends and family to her husbands house.They then proceed to the white wedding although it optional this takes place the next day or when ever pleases them.

EDO BRIDE

2:YORUBA-Yoruba traditional wedding ceremony popularly known as "IGBEYAWO"which means 'carrying of the bride' is the most recognized ceremony in Yorubaland where a marriage is concerned.The Yoruba marriage is longer than other's, the first step is the INTRODUCTION CEREMONY.This is where the groom and his family come to the bride's house for the "door knocking".The groom, along with his father and other members of the family visit the bride's house to announce their intentions to marry their daughter.On accepting their proposal, the bride's family then presents them with the ERU IYAWO list which means the Bride price.

The traditional part of the ceremony is the main deal of the whole wedding.The family of the groom shows up at the bride's house in their ASO EBI(this means the cloth the family picked to wear together)already aware of what their responsibilities are at the event.They are met at the gate by the ALAGA IDURO(The spokes person)for the bride's family who stops them to ask they who are they looking for.They inform her formally they have come to seek the brides hand in marriage who in turn informs the family of the bride and seeks permission to let them come in.The family is required to be early to the venue, otherwise,they will be heavily fined.They are led in to meet, kneel and greet the bride's family.The family of the groom officially proposal letter which is often read by the youngest relative present in the bride's family, if the proposal is accepted, the bride's family presents their acceptance letter to the groom's family.All the while, the groom is not let in.He is left outside with his friends till they invite him in,He typically makes his entry by dancing with his friends to greet and prostrate to his family.The bride's family is expected to pray for him and welcome him before he is relieved to take his seat.

The Alaga requests for transportation fare from the groom and his family to bring the bride.The veiled bride makes a grand entry with her friends.They dance to where her parents are seated and she kneels down before them while they pray for her it is always an emotional scene for both parents and bride, she then dances to where her husband's family are seated and kneels before them, for them to welcome her and pray.Her veil is removed during this prayer.After this is done the remaining dancing is done and for the final act,As proof that they are not selling their daughter in exchange for the brideprice and also to show acceptance, the bride's family also presents' return gifts'.This is usually not as much as the era-iyawo(bride's load)presented by the Groom's family but always substantial.

Yoruba Bride

3:IGBO-The Igbos are from the eastern region of Nigeria,and the traditional marriage rite in this part of the country is usually very festive and colorful.First,the future groom finds the lady he wants to marry and tells his parents.He is the accompanied by his family to the bride's family to set a date for the wedding.In the final stage of the traditional marriage rites the groom will go to the house of the bride to be with his immediate and extended family.Both families and their extended family will drink and eat together.during the ceremony, the bride will be asked to give palm wine to her husband, which she will do while kneeling down.the parents and elders in the family of both the bride and groom will pray for the newly weds and for their success.

Afterward,the bride and groom will dance along with their family members.when the ceremony os over, the bride will go home with the family of the groom signifying that the two are now husband and wife.

Igbo Bride

Now this are all just traditional wedding its left to them to decide if they want to do white wedding or not and this is where the real fun in Nigerian wedding is, because after there is always a reception and reception's are just always so nice and you get to dance and have fun.Personally I am a sucker for wedding's I can't count how many ASO EBI attire's I have in my closet....ugh I just love love weddings.