Marriage is celebrated all over the world, with each culture having its unique style of celebration reflecting its values, customs, and beliefs. In my own culture (the Igbo culture) here in Nigeria, there are the most significant customs, traditions, and practices that define wedding ceremonies, which I have witnessed for several years, and in this post, I will do well to share in detail.
My twin brother and his wife during their traditional wedding ceremony
Firstly, weddings are important events that bring two families together. When two couples agree to make a new family, they as well unite their two individual families, which brings new connections that don't end on the wedding day but go beyond it. This is why for every marriage in my culture, adequate investigation is made prior to family acceptance of the union.
In Igbo culture, one of the most significant cultural practices when it comes to traditional weddings is the presentation of the kola nut, which symbolizes unity and shared blessings.
This tradition demonstrates hospitality, and it is anchored by the eldest of the bride's family. The eldest says some prayers, breaks the kola nut, and shares it among the attendees. This is one of our cherished rituals that can never be omitted in wedding ceremonies upon the arrival of the groom's family and which expresses a heartfelt welcome to all.
Another significant cultural practice in Igbo traditional weddings is the wine carrying, which symbolizes a sip of unity and promise.
Tradition marriage ceremony of my youngest sister
This is observed at the middle of the ceremony. Here, the groom is hidden in the midst of other attendees while the bride is not available. Then the bride is made to carry wine and search for her groom upon her return. The bride will first of all visit her father while he gives her a cup of palm wine to go for the ultimate search.
The bride will be accompanied by her bridesmaids during the search, dancing to traditional songs while on the search with many guests distracting her, claiming to be her groom, lol. Once she succeeds in finding her groom, she will kneel down and feed the groom with the wine a bit ..
The groom will also collect the wine from her and give her another sip, after which the groom will put some money inside the cup, and they both return the cup to the bride's father while they kneel down to receive the marriage blessings from the father, sealing their marriage!
The final most significant cultural practice in Igbo traditional weddings is the dowry, which symbolizes a treasured exchange of blessings.
The payment of dowry by the groom simply means his commitment to the bride's life and his willingness to take care of her throughout their union and not a transaction per se. For this, there's no specific amount of money to be paid, just any amount the groom is willing to give to the bride's family, expressing togetherness as well as cooperation and their desire to contribute to the bride's life.
The traditional wedding cake crafted by my sister in-law to demonstrate our culture
Overall, these practices demonstrate shared values and deep connections to our tradition and culture, strengthening family bonds, reverencing marriage as a sacred institution, and preserving our traditions.
This post is in response to the ladies of Hive community contest #219. Interested in joining? Here's is the prompt link.
All images are mine!!!
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Your sister is creative, with all that design. It looks unbelievable, I mean the cake, and I think she has the opportunity to be one of the best in the baking business.
Indeed she is...many people doubted the decoration until we tasted the kola nut and the bead as you can see in the image above.. behold, it was icing sugar ..she is currently doing well in Enugu and I hope she will be recognized in the baking bussiness one day
I thought she was in Lagos, unfortunately she isn't lol. I wish her well. Such a master in her craft
Hehehe 😃
She can come to lagos oo 😂 Incase you have a bigger contract for her
Her hands are really blessed 🤗
Beautiful photographs. It is nice that although in many parts of the world there is a great moral decadence, there are people who still keep the good ancestral customs and maintain their family traditions.
Indeed, some people still observe the good ancestral customs and traditions passing it down to their generations
Thanks for the warm feedback
(✿◠‿◠)
Woooooh! The cake! That's amazing 👏 😍
I am learning a lot about different customs and traditions surrounding the wedding ceremony. The one prime difference is dowry. In sub continental culture the bride's side gives dowry to the groom, but I have learnt the case is reverse in African culture.
Okay.... searching for groom. Hmmmm. Sounds interesting! What if the bride fails to search her groom 🤔 or chooses another person instead of the selected one😉
Wow .. This is a new discovery , I never knew that some culture do the opposite.. really wow 😲
Hahaha 😂😂, it has never happened except for some people that use to tie the bride's eyes just for fun
But in most cases, the bride usually found her groom in the misdt of others 😄
!LOLZ. Just like I didn't knew . How interesting a place the world is. From one place to another the definition of the right is entirely opposite
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Nothing, they just hung out and chilled.
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World will become poorer when traditions with cultural meaning are ever lost, lovely ceremony on the big day the two unite.
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Thanks for the visit 🤗Indeed @joanstewart ..I also see a boring world without these cultures and traditions
It's happening too quickly already, small pockets of people still hold the older values fortunately.
Unfortunately..it is what it is
You have a rich culture over there. Traditions and culture cannot be abandoned . Sometimes it may look odd but the elders always have justifiable reasons for each part of culture.
Exactly...some traditional practices which I didn't mention here actually looks odd to me but our elders always have reasons for each practices.
Thanks for your warm feedback
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Nice traditions every culture has its peculiarities and beliefs it was a pleasure to read you have a nice day.
Sure... different cultures and beliefs makes our world more adventurous 🤗
Ahhh. Mama, is that cake true true? It looks so good. Abi na wood?
It's real cake , crafted by my twin brother's wife .she is a baker and she did this cake and designed it traditionally
Not a wood atall
The kola nut and other features you see there are icing sugar...I practically ate it after the event..lol
I am surprised 😯
Hehehe 😃
I can relate
wow! She is amazing, just wow!
Indeed, she is 👌
It's my first time to know about wedding traditions in Nigeria well it sounds good to attend a wedding ceremony there 😁
Awwwwwww 🥰
Glad I could share our marriage culture with you Les
Hopefully you will have an opportunity to experience it someday, who knows 🤗
Yeah maybe someday 😜 as it's a dream for now 😀
!HUG
When I saw the prompt for this week, I got excited and anticipated reading the different wedding traditions from different culture. Igbo is really one of my favorites. Especially how luxurious their cultural attires are. And look at that wooden cake, my goodness! I enjoyed reading this. Wishing your twin brother and his wife a happy home.
Awwwwwww
Indeed, Igbo culture are unique in many ways. I grew up to cherish this culture and always looking forward to experience one
Thanks for the compliment 🤗
I really love how your sister in-law crafted the cake, if not that you mentioned that it's cake I would think it's a wood that they cut in small pieces, she's really creative.
Hahaha 😂😂😂
It's not wood atall
It's pure cake
The person that decorated this cake is so creative oo
It looks so amazing and real.
Nice one.
!DIY
!INDEED
She is creative really and of course, it is a real cake not wood...lol
Thanks for the compliment 🤗
That's great.
You are welcome ma'am
I love learning about traditions. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful insight into Igbo weddings.
Glad you like it
Thanks for reading through
Wow the cake is something else like so beautiful and creative
Indeed 👌
I love the rich culture of Igbo,the cake is fine.
Indeed.. thank you!
Aww...much appreciated for the curation @amberkashif
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Thanks for the curation