SteemAlive Presents: ProWritersHub (W4) - How Traditional Marriage is performed in my Hometown, City or Community
Foreword
Tradition could be said to be laid down customs and cultures that are passed from one generation to another while marriage is the coming together of man and woman as husband and wife.
Therefore, traditional marriage simply means the act of welding two individuals together according to the custom of the land.
Just as tradition differs from one place to another, so does the marriages proceedings vary in different lands. There are basically two types of marriages which are the;
- White wedding
- Traditional marriage
So I'll be narrating in details how traditional marriages are held in my hometown.
Things required from the husband-to-be
The actual marriage proceedings start with the groom's family having to visit the bride's. It is known as Introduction. The groom's family introduces themselves and explain the motives behind their visit and he is given a long list to provide the items on it which includes items for the mother, father, first son, youth, clan, village head etc.
Father's items;
Golden staff
Black English shoe
English suit
Hat
2 fat goat
5 tubers of yam
Dry gin
Packof underwears
And the list continues.......
Mother's items
Wax wrapper
Cover shoe
Head gear
Kitchen utensils
A stick of dried fish
And the list continues.....
The first son also gets his share by making his own demands like a staff, shoe, hat etc. The groom also provide items like cow, tubers of yam, gin etc to the clan head, youths, village women etc.
How the marriage is performed
After the provision of items on the list, a date is fixed for the marriage ceremony. On the D-Day, different meals are cooked, traditional music are played, and everywhere is decorated traditionally with woven baskets, beads, shells, carvings etc.
The marriage begins with;
The arrival of guest
Words of welcome by the MC/chairman
Arrival of groom: in my hometown, the groom is the first to be brought before the public, he dances to his seat awaiting the bride, the groom is made to pass through some tests to know if he's qualified to marry the bride or not
Arrival of bride: an old woman who is assumed to be the mother of the bride is given a transport fare to bring the bride to her husband. She assembles all the maidens together and they lead a dance procession with the bride hidden in their midst
Introduction; After the bride meets her groom, she publicly introduces him to her parents with bottles of wine of which the union is sealed with blessings
Handing over: after everything, the family head officially hand over the bride to the groom's family and exchange some words together to promote peace and unity
The types of food served
Before the guest arrives , varieties of traditional dishes are displayed on a decorated table and the groom's family are made to taste the different meals. This shows that the bride is a good cook and capable of preparing all types of traditional meals for her husband. Examples of such dishes are:
Afang soup
Editan soup
Ekpan iwa
Ekpang-nkukwo
Ekoki
Afia efere (white soup)
Efere ndek iyak (Fisherman soup)
Roasted corn and pear
Palmwine
Efere etidot
Auto mboro
Ubobok ukom(porridge yam)
Edesi isip(coconut rice)
And the list continues......
Type of music played
Traditional marriages in my hometown are graced with lovely native music that has meaning to it's listeners. Its beatings and rhythm suits perfectly the occasion for which it is played for, only traditional music sang in our native language is what graces the occasion
Types of cloth worn by the couple
The couple dresses in a a traditional attire, the couples could be easily differentiated among the crowd just by their dresscode, adornments etc.
The husband wears a white native regalia with a wrapper on his waist, he uses part of the wrapper to adorn his neck in form of a tie, he wears a beaded cover shoe and cap with a staff to match
**The wife also dresses in a matching outfits with the husband, her dresscode takes the form of a blouse accompanied with a wrapper, she adorns herself with beads and bracelets. Her shoe, gele, purse and handfan takes the same color.
Note; the introductory image shows a couple in the exact traditional marriage attire*
After-word
Marriage is a good thing, it does not matter which type or form it takes. After all, it is the right thing to do and is highly acceptable in the society, it shows respect for both families. As for me, I'll keep attending marriage ceremonies, I can't miss out on those delicious meals, @emmanu is coming with me
I have witnessed ibibio traditional marriage ceremony. I think the only difference between ibibio traditional wedding and Igbo traditional wedding is that in igbo trad, the groom stays hidden until the bride takes a glass of palmwine to him.
Brother did know the ibibio traditional marriage ceremony is a special ceremony that is held for the bride and groom before their wedding
I like the way traditional marriage is be done in ibibio before they begin the occasion there will entertain thier in-laws first.
Yeah, I've noticed that as well, in Igbo the groom hides while the bride goes in search of him while here the groom comes out first and present himself, pass through some test to know if he's qualified to marry and then waits for the wife to be brought to him
Nice post dear, your hometown people does things in it's right fomrm,as the groom are to bring fourth all their gifts and also there are lots of food and drinks available in that day to enjoy our selves.
I will like to be there during your day.
@precious123.
Yeah sure you must be invited by @precious123 Good luck
Sure....... I'll invite you if any such occassion comes up
I will glad to be present.
Woow this the most beautiful tradition i love it really loved it
Really
Oya clap for my tradition nau😁😁
Clapping 🥳
I agree with you @precious123, i have attended traditional marriage in Ibibio. Food is always eay as you want. I so much appreciates how their women dress on their traditional wedding day. The only thing is that they always start very late in the evening.
Checking the rules
Checking Post Quality
Yes oooo
Almost virtually all traditional marriages in my locality starts late
But as for that food aspect ehhnnn, food dey plenty
Sure,we are going together with our sack bags where we are going to put the foods because I will carry some to my house what I will eat later.
So where is the location
Haha May I with you dear friends @emmanu @precious123 i always love international wedding i hope @precious123 will invite me on her wedding 😃😃
Hahaha
I'll surely invite yhu but on one condition
You are coming with a big parceled refrigerator as a gift for the couple
No problem dear just send me a return ticket for business class and a recommendation letter
Omor......you no be beta pesin oooo😁😁😁
na this food I just like for akaw ibom the are too delicious.
and you did a great job explaining their traditionally marriage, I really enjoyed reading this article.
My regards.
This dish is one of the most popular soups in Nigeria. It has a unique taste with a bit of a spicy kick. Steemit learnt me many things about other traditions
Hmmm that nice.
My regards.
With the way I am hearing I guess the meals are delicious but never tasted them
Thanks huni....... actually our native meals are always appetizing
As for you @emmanu, I know your style, I won't talk but you'll not taste those meals o
The way that people grow together, learn from each other, and help each other out can be beautiful. Traditional marriages are often built on love, respect, and understanding
Yes huni..... waiting for your entry on this
I really wanna know how it's done in your community
So sad dear I have posted
Your traditions are really amazing and will love to visit the day of your own traditional marriage.
Please do
Traditional marriage is always the best it bring unity among familiar members and you will get to know all your families those you taught aren’t your families you will get to know them on that and so traditional marriage is always the best.
You've said it all, we notice that traditional marriages strengthens the bonds and ties between the two families involved
@precious123,
Wait oo, the father and mother didn't request for cow, then, why would the clan head, village women and youths request something greater? Meanwhile, which city are you from?
Smiles
The clan head and women are the main hijackers of the community nau
I'm actually from Uruan LGA, you can go through my introduction post once again