Wedding ceremony is one of most beautiful and interesting ceremonies I ever love attending. Why am I so attracted to wedding? It's the very first institution instituted by God himself on earth. I can't failed attending weddings especially if I'm invited.
Nigeria is a country with over 250 ethnic groups. Even in the same ethnic group, demands, rite and procedures for marriage are not same. I learned a lot whenever I have an opportunity going for marriage and then compare the procedures, the rite and demands of these families. Most times when you attended these ceremonies, there are tendency that you won't be treated well especially if you were not invited or have a close connection but in all this is not the essence of me going for any ceremony.
Wedding in Akwa Ibom State, the South South of Nigeria is quite different from that of every other part of Nigeria. The people here loved doing two weddings which is Traditional Marriage - mainly done by family after which the intending son-in-law will first go for Nkong udok (knocking of door), this when the marriage list is been given to the intending son-in-law, He will study and do same what is given to him in list. The marriage list contents all the necessary requirements (items) which has to brought on the Traditional marriage but if the intending bride is pregnant, or give birth to any child already for the intending son-in-law, it is another ball game entirely because he has to give a very she goat for an insult, it is called Ebot Usong Eyin (Goat for insult) before traditional marriage been discussed.
There are different kinds of lists which would be given to the intending son-in-law by the bride family these includes:
Family List: This consist of all the items to be given to the extended family of the bride. This list is very delegate and paramount, one can't joke with it because it concern all the elders in the family.
List for the Father: This spelled out things to be given to the family of the bride. It is delegate but it can be withheld depending on the father in-law if the intending son-in-law is not capable to do it immediately but he must pay the dowry first while putting other items on hold.
List for the Mother: This content items for the mother of the bride. This list can be fulfilled immediately if the intending son-in-law is capable and it can be fulfill later during the Nkuho Uman Period. Please read about Nkuho Uman period in one of my post where the mother of the bride took the bride home during her first child bearing for induction. This is the link
https://peakd.com/hive-181017/@inibless/nkuho-uman-a-beautiful-culture-of-ibibio-people
All the requirements on these list must be given before the day of traditional marriage on a special day called Udongo Mkpo (A day for giving items in the list). This is where the actual marriage is been carried out before the day of traditional wedding.
The day of traditional wedding is a formality where whole village came to celebrate with the bride family for been able to train their daughter well for someone to come and marry. On this day, a band will be hired, all the the traditional dancers get set, traditional dishes prepared and the bride ready to hand over their daughter to his husband who is man enough to meet all the requirements.
On the traditional wedding, the husband will be first danced out to where everyone is seating for proper pronouncement.
He will patiently waiting for the arrival of his wife which has to give sum amount of money for transportation. It's fun though and exciting moment after that the bride will be arrived in grand style and meticulous dance.
Immediately the bride arrived, she will present her husband formally to her parents who will the prayed for her and her husband.
The groom will immediately after his and mother inlaw accepted and prayed for them, took his wife to his parents for the same thing. His his will also pray and bless them for a fruitful home.
After why the both parents had prayed, the extended family of the bride then prayed and hand over formally the bride to her husband.
The couple then decide if they should with with white wedding or not which in most cases they do white wedding in the church too. Marriage is sweet and honorable. I can't wait to marry soon.
Thank you very much for being a part for visiting my blog to read my posts. I really appreciate your effort of love. your comment is a way of motivation together with your upvote. Thanks for being there for me. I'm @inibless.
Hello, we have chosen this post to be curated by MCGI Cares(Hive) community. We are inviting you to join our community that study the words of God. Keep doing the great job ❤️
We can also check out our latest video on our official Youtube Channel
There are weddings and there are traditional weddings!
It's the clothing and rituals of traditional weddings that excite me!
Nice post!!