Culture Trip | Igbo Wedding Rites
Igbo Wedding Rites
“Today, I making what will be one of the best decisions of my life; asking you to be my wife…will you marry me?”
Yes!!
Chinedu sat reminiscing about when two weeks ago he approached Ada’s parents to seek for permission to ask her the big question.
Ada calls all her friends in excitement then rushes home to show off the engagement ring lovingly placed on her finger earlier in the day.
“Daddy, mummy… I’m engaged!!”… Shouts of congratulations fill the air with hugs and air kisses. In the midst of all the excitement; Ada’s father says; “Tell him to contact his people and let me know when they are coming for Iku aka”.
The typical Igbo traditional marriage consists of a four part ceremony which kicks of with the “Iku aka”
IKU AKA – INTRODUCTION
This is the official first meeting of both families. It is usually a small, intimate, ceremony set in the living room of the bride-to-be’s father’s house. It is made of 10 -15 people comprising of the fathers (if alive) of the couple and some male representatives of their extended families.
On a set date, the groom-to-be arrives with his entourage to notify the bride-to-be’s family of a “flower they have seen in the garden”. They come bearing gifts of Igbo Kolanuts known as Oji igbo, hot drinks (liquor), Beer and Palm wine.
Oji Igbo & Garden egg
Once they are welcomed into the home, they are asked to state their intention. The groom’s father or an elder member of his family speaks
All this time, the bride is kept away from the part of the house where all of this is going on.
After discussions, the girl’s mother is called into the room and the guests are introduced. She is then asked to go and bring her daughter.
Here comes the bride
When the girl is brought in, she is asked if she knows the guests. She answers in the affirmative (this is us assuming aunty knows they’ve come to pluck flower o!). She is then asked if they can accept the gifts that have been brought. She says YES! Then she is asked to leave the room again.
After saying a big YES
This is followed by the breaking of Kolanut and other merriment.
The breaking of the kolanut is an important part of the Igbo culture. Therefore all events must start with the breaking of kolanut. This signifies Peace, Unity and Harmony between all parties involved. It is also a sign of welcoming guests/visitors. In the case of weddings, it is usually done by the eldest member of the host family who leads the prayers after he has shared it to various representatives of every group present.
Sharing of the kolanut
Please note; If the dowry list is available at this event, the father of the bride to be hands it over to the father of the groom. If not, they can always arrange how to get it across.
A date for the Traditional Wedding may also be decided on at the Iku aka
IME EGO – BRIDE PRICE
This is where the bride price is agreed on and paid. Again, only male representatives of both families are allowed to be a part of this.
“Ime ego” can be done a day before the traditional wedding or on the day of the traditional wedding; in the morning or just before the actual ceremony starts.
It usually takes less than 20 minutes to go through deliberations and agree on the price. This is because in some towns/villages, prices are fixed. So the girl’s family already have an idea how much their in-laws will be asked to pay.
If done before the traditional wedding day, light refreshments may be provided.
IGBANKWU – WINE CARRYING
This is what is popularly known as the Traditional Marriage Ceremony or Customary Marriage.
In Igbo land, Igbankwu ceremony may have variations in towns and villages but there is a common binding factor which is the wine carrying known in Igbo as Ibu Mmanya.
Set in the girl’s family house, the compound is usually agog with so much fanfare, decorations, cooking and music.
It starts with the arrival of the different groups comprising of Umunna (The male clan), Umuada (the daughters), ndi nwunye or nwunye di (wives) and general well-wishers who settle into their clearly marked out areas. The bride’s father sits with the Umunna as they await the arrival of ndi ogo (in-laws).
As the in-laws arrive, they are welcomed at the entrance by the bride’s father and Umunna before they are ushered to their seats. Once seated, a representative from their family presents the items (from the dowry list) they have brought. The bride’s mother is then called out to greet the in-laws and guests. She dances out accompanied by her friends as they go round greeting. Next up is the bride. Accompanied by her friends, she dances out in her first outfit to greet the in-laws and guests.
