Wedding Introductions

 In the Nigerian culture a wedding introdution is an important step of walking towards marriage.
its just like a marriage proposal and it cuts across all tribes in Nigeria, although it can be done differently it is the first step to getting married and must be done with or without the couple present.






The wedding introduction is a platform for the couples families to meet and know each other formally,here the grooms family officially come to inform the parents of the girl that they would like to ask for their daughter's hand in marriage.

Igbo Traditional Marriage, Introduction and Items 

Introduction – Ikwu Aka (Knocking)

Marriage in Igboland is not just an affair between the future husband and wife but also involves the parents, the extended family and villages. When you’re planning for the introductory part of your proposed union, you must bear in mind that there are two stages in this process. Depending on the Igbo community involved, the intending groom will be required to make two visits to the bride to be’s family.

First, the intending groom, accompanied by his father or any elder relative or close family friend will visit the father of the bride to be formerly introduced and state their intention. They will then agree on a latter time to meet with other members of the bride to be’s family. No gift is required for this initial visit.

For the return visit, the intending groom’s family (not limited to the parents) will meet with the bride to be’s family and restate their intention. At this stage, it is expected that the bride to be’s family will have had ample time to investigate the groom to be’s family and must have reached a conclusion on the proposal. The prerequisites for this visit may vary from village to village, but, basically some of the key items offered as gift to the host family include Kolanuts, Wines (alcoholic/non-alcoholic) and wrappers (Nigerian/Holland prints). Money (cash gift) is usually not offered at this point in order not to be misrepresented.

Traditional Marriage – Igba Nwku (Engagement)

At this stage, a date has been agreed for the ‘Igba Nkwu’ to hold at the paternal home of the bride to be. The intending groom would have been handed a list of items to present at the engagement. The list usually is communicated after the introduction and is an obligatory part of completing the Igba Nkwu, which could either be a close family event or a big event including the whole “village”. The items on the lists are usually symbolic and cover different sections of the ceremony

Items - Groups


UMUADA (ALL KINDRED DAUGHTERS)

Wrappers and Blouses– (George/Hollandis/Nigerian Wax)

Jewelry – (Gold plated earings, necklaces)

Head ties and Shoes (Different types and colours)

Hand bags and wrist watches (Different types and colours)

Toiletries (Body creams, bathing soaps, washing detergents, etc.)

Beverages and food items

Cash gift (lump sum) –Ogwe ego

Drinks (Malt & Minerals


NMANYA UKWU (BIG WINE) – KINSMEN (UMUNNA)

The items in this category will be shared amongst the heads of the extended family of the bride to be.

Bottles of Seaman’s Schnapps (millennium brand)

Kolanuts

Kegs of Palmwine

Alcoholic drinks

Heads of Tobacco with potash

Rolls of cigarettes

1 goat

Cash gift (Lump sum) – Ego Umu’Nna.



N’MEPE UZO (OPENING OF GATE) – GENERAL

30 tubers of Yam

2 bags of Rice

2 bags of Salt

2 cartons of Star Beer

2 cartons of Guinness Stout

2 cartons of Maltina

6 crates of Minerals

3 bottles of Seaman’s Schnapps (millennium brand)

30 bulbs of onions

1 gallon of red Palm oil (10 -25 litres)

1 gallon of Groundnut oil (25 litres)

A basin of Okporoko (Stockfish)

2 pieces of Goat leg (Ukwu Anu ewu)

25 loaves of Bread

1 carton of Tin Tomatoes

1 carton of Tin Milk

1 carton of Tablet soap

20 Pieces of Morning Rose powder

1 gallon of Kerosene

20 heads of Tobacco

10 packets of cigarettes

5 pieces of George/Hollandis/Nigerian Wax

3 pieces of Umbrella

1 Big Box (Apati)

2 Big Basins

2 pieces of Igbo Blouse

2 pieces of Headties

Gold necklaces and Wrist watches (minimum of 2 pieces)

1 piece of Lantern/Lamp

“Ikpo Onu Aku Nwayi” (Bride price) – Negotiable.



Of note is demand by brides parents/family varies from town to town.

These marriage rites are now at the mercy of being eroded by the ever intruding western culture. But in ancient Igbo land and to some extent in this present day, most of the above still obtains.
 (credits James Agbogun)