Hi eveyone, this is my first participation in the weekly featured topics on the hive learners' community. I wasn't able to meet up the deadline for submission due to some technicalities but it's better late than never.
I am from the Ogu tribe, popularly known as the Egun tribe. If there's one thing I love educating people about, it's my tribe as there are many misconceptions as to our origin, culture, some even believe we're a sect of the Yoruba tribe in South-west Nigeria, which is wrong. However, interactions with the tribe has caused what my dad would call a "cultural eclipse". That story is for another day.
In the Ogu tribe, marriage ceremonies are quite different from those of counterpart tribes in South-west Nigeria.
In the Ogu society, marriage is initiated by a suitor scouting for ladies and identifying prospective partners or whoever appeals to them. The guy approaches the lady to seek her consent to establish a relationship between them to the intent of getting married.
After obtaining her consent, he'd inform his family and his parents or mentors would pay a visit to the girl's parents. Prior to that, emissaries are sent to the family and a suitable date is agreed upon. Such visits are usually in the evening and entail introduction of the groom's parents and conveyance of their son's intentions.
This visit is usually followed by an enquiry by the parents of the bride into the lineage of the guy. Their behavioral pattern, health and criminal histories, in order to ensure that their daughter's suitor is from a good background. If found worthy, the girl's family would communicate their agreement to the family of the guy a date for the formal introduction is set. This is hosted by the bride-to-be, her parents and peer groups for the groom, his family and peers.
After this visit, the groom and bride-to-be are granted freedom to interact with each other and get fully acquainted.
At this stage, two different ceremonies called the Kwazon are hosted on a communal basis.
Kwazon means communal money contribution.
The kwazon is a colourful gathering spiced with music, dance and banter. Competitive money donation is usually the highlight of the event. There's usually a host to coordinate the event. It entails an individual dropping an amount of money and challenging others with a joke. Likewise they'd respond with a donation and banters of their own. I'll paint a picture of what it's like in a dialogue below.
Mr. A calls the announcer, gives him a sum of money and says: I've come to see our wife and this is the mark I make. Tell Mr. B that he looks like he could use some financial help and his car is due for a change. He shouldn't hesitate to come see me after the event.
Of course the host would add adlibs and amplify it a bit.
Mr. B could return the banter with a higher donation of his own, saying: Tell Mr. A that the money he has wouldn't buy the number of cars I have in my garage. When he becomes bankrupt, he can come meet me if he needs a job.
And a Mr. C can reply them both with a donation of his own, and a remark: Young fools, what do you know? Wealth is not measured in cars, when you own assets and are married yourselves come and make your statements.
They all have a good laugh and a good time together. Of course, sometimes enmity between some people begins there.
The first, which is the kwazon-vu is the smaller version, while the second is the Kwazon-daho, grand-style. All the money raised in these ceremonies are given to the bride-to-be as the community's monetary gift to her.
Some days after the Kwazon, the bride's family only, gather and make prayers for her according to their beliefs. Traditionalists make their sacrifices and all.
Unlike other cultures, there's no ceremony to celebrate her departure from home. In the evening of the day she is to go to her husband's home, selected family members, male and female, escort her to her husband's home. On getting there, she'd be met at the door by an elderly woman in the home, who would pour water on her legs. This signifies that she had come with a peaceful atmosphere to a home of peace and fruitfulness. She'd then be taken in and embraced by other wives in the household. Her escorts are then entertained and sent back home with gifts: wine, duck and other gifts.
How about the bride price? Immediately after the girl's parents consent to the relationship, a list of the bride price is given to the groom. It usually includes a goat, wine, money and other items for the bride's parents, siblings, uncles and cousins.
After the kwazon-daho, the groom is also expected to bring gifts for the bride's family.
However, interactions with the tribe has caused what my dad would call a "cultural eclipse".
This cultural eclipse has caused a dwindle in the cultural practices. Many of the practices I mentioned above are now replaced by white weddings and some practices from the Yoruba tribe. Despite this, our identity is one thing we'll never forfeit. It is who we are.
Thanks for reading through. Feel free to share similar or contrasting practices in your culture in the comments section.
You took your time to write about this
It is so great to see
Nice post
Thank you very much 😊
Its the technicalities for me 😂
I love the fact that you used some terms I consider new to me..but now I wont be caught unfresh😌.
Ans its a sad thing that these practices may be fading, but I belive those who come from there, if they sternly propagate their tradition it will live through time.
That's another issue. An average kid born in the egun community today, grows up speaking Yoruba language. And those in diaspora don't know the darndest thing about their tribe. Despite not living amongst my kinsmen, I grew up learning poems in my native language and even though I'm not great at speaking it, I know songs and relate with my parents and siblings communicating in egun. We even tease and throw friendly insults at one another.
Another episode of people making choices and not realizing the implications.
And thanks for visiting my blog😊
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You explained everything in details and I like that. Nice traditional wedding ceremony
Thank you 🥰
Hi sekani,
Join the Curie Discord community to learn more.
Thank you! 🤭
First time I am hearing of ogu tribe
Wow
Your culture is unique
Wow. You don't reside in the south west then?
Yeahh it is. Thanks for visiting my blog🥰
No am in the south south
Nice
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