It was indeed a great joy for my family and well wishers to witness the wedding ceremony of one of my youngest cousin, Ekemini Umoh foldly called Kemzy tieing the knot with her schoolmate sweetheart, Mr Charles Nnodi. As the both names sound, it was an intra-ethnic marital union. The bride is an Akwa Ibomite from the Ibibio extraction while the groom is from Imo state from Idiator South axis.

That day I woke up as early as 5 am from my house to my Aunt house to join with those doing cooking of all kinds of food preparing for the guests. After I have done few things, I went back to my house to get dressed up to the wedding venue, Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saint, 2 Lane, Uyo at 10 am prompt.

The Couple and I

At the church conference hall the Parish Bishop solemnized the marriage before all witnesses from both families and other guests. The Pastor pegged his Simon on marriage as an everlasting institution that shouldn't be broken by anyone except God himself. He emphasized on complexities of human character and changes one should expect during different stages in marriage and the strategies needed to navigate them, critically laying emphasis on the man not to hide anything from his wife including his phone password, social media handles and ATM pin code.

The couple, I and my cousin, a YouTuber @editorial556

The cleric opined that for marriage to work effectively, the sole responsibilities and commitments lie on the man's shoulders. I was stunned to hear a pastor giving couple this kind of advise, as many unlike him usually disapprove of the wife to touch her husband's phone phone much less of knowing the password. Hearers were captivated of such sermon.

We all were very happy to see the young couple together becoming husband and wife. Most importantly was the nobility expressed by the young man when he was made to talk with the bride's family. And another thing that baffled me was where the young man had money to host such a top-notch marriage, both traditional on Thursday and the wedding on Saturday.

At 12:30 the ring was exchanged. The couple signed the marriage register and proceeded to the photo stand for photography. Photographs were taken in order of importance. The bride's parents, groom's parents, bride's family members and vice versa. Every other persons in the photography list took different shots and styles with the couple. Thereafter we proceeded to the reception ground.

Reception event kick-started at exactly 3 pm at the church's field. The scene opened with a music interlude followed by a traditional cultural display of drummers and dancers with their beautifully made cultural attire from head-to toe displaying “Ekombi dance”. They show their dancing prowess in 30 minutes before the grand entrance of the bride.

It is worthy to note that the bride and groom made two appearances one in her cultural attire called “Nkpoto”. Nkpoto dressing is Efik-Ibibio cultural dressing for maidens and bride's with a logged weave-in hairstyles, half tying wrapper with short dress and a queen staff. That mode of dressing depict her cultural root. The noble groom dressed likewise in the Efik “Usobo” wrapper with white shirt and a cap to show support to his wife's cultural heritage.

Second appearance of the couple was the Igbo cultural dressing of the groom wearing “Isiagwu”(the Lion's head) fabric on top with a black trousers and a white horn in held in his hand while the bride changed to a red gown, a red bead tie to her head and maidens exhorting her. Both were representing and embracing individual cultures in unity and love. It was a great admirations for all who love good things. I have personally learned a lot from this intra-ethnic marriage, it's a thing worthy to encourage.

The events came to an end as the sun set paving way for the night, the couple cut the cakes while food and drinks were shared to the guests. Gift items were donated to the couple and they gave out souvenirs to the guests too. The final couple dance rock the floor. Everybody jumped and danced in celebration with them. And as I was tired I had to excused them and exited the venue to get a rest as I was already feeling exhausted.

My Aunt left and My Mum right

In conclusion, I was in great ecstasy seeing my younger cousin married to her hearthrob finally in a grand style. Other members of my family and well wishers also gather to lend their support and love to the couple.

The Bride's Parents dancing in happiness

Though they both come from different tribe. They truly learned to embrace, accept each others cultural heritage as a symbol for true love, tolerance, unity in their marriage. They expressed nobility, humility and respect to God, their families and supporters. My wish to them is an evergreen peace, love, success, fruitfulness, togetherness in everlasting. This day was indeed one of the happiest and fulfilling day in my life and wish it should repeat itself again.

All pictures were taken from my personal phone

Special Mention

@goodybest
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