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Music, Dance and Celebration at Traditional Marriage in Igbo Land

Traditional marriage in Nigeria is a well respected tradition, especially among the Igbo tribe. It’s a sacred institution, and it is revered as such with all sobriety and respect.

It’s about two families coming into mutual agreement in consenting to their children’s, being husband or wife to marriage proposal. In Igbo setting, it’s authenticated and sealed by the groom, paying a bride price and all the necessary customary demands, to that effect.

This is done, after discreet and careful investigations are carried out to the families concerned. The purpose of this is to make sure that the family to whom their son or daughter intends to get married to is a decent family without any history of character defects and compatible.

After this is carefully done, the families will then arrange for a time of meeting together in the would be bride’s parent’s house for an official introductions. It’s during this meeting that list of items that the groom will present to the would be in-law’s kinsmen are given.

The principal things among the items that would be presented are:

1. (NKWU-ENU}-this is a local wine extracted from palm tree, otherwise known as Palm Wine

2. ( Oji ) KOLA-NUTS

3. BRIDE PRIZE. AMONG OTHER THINGS.

Before the event day, friends and well wishers are invited from far and near to witness the occasion. It’s usually a colorful outing, guest usually grace the event with gorgeous traditional attires. Sumptuous delicacies are served with assorted drinks.

On the very day of the traditional marriage, the bride’s parents will arrange seats for their guests. Musicians would also be at display in anticipation of the arrival of their guests, the whole compound will be majestically decorated. The bride’s parents kinsmen would have been seated, expecting the arrival of their in-laws.

On the arrival of their in-laws, they will be welcomed like kings and Queens, after which they will be ushered and seated in the VIP canopies area as honored guests, in the best Igbo Tradition And will be presented with kola nuts, signifying that they are welcomed to the family.

After this, the groom’s kinsmen will give vote of thanks and also say in clear terms what they came to do. At this juncture, the bride’s father will call out her daughter to come and greet them. After which she will go back to her room, pending when the marriage dowry is finalized and paid to the father other items in the list they were given to them are presented.

Then, the bride will be ushered out from her room by her friends, to sit with the husband before the crowd. The father will call her and she will step out and kneel before him, he will pour Palm wine in a cup to present to the husband before everyone present. She will then go and respectfully kneel before her husband, and present the wine to him, he will take it from her and drink, he will dance with the wife towards the father to return the cup, which is accompanied with a token of money. The father will in turn bless them.

Joyfully, they will dance to the admiration of their guests and family members, which will in turn shower them with money and gifts.

This is how traditional marriage is done in Igbo land.

A traditional marriage ceremony is truly a joyful occasion that brings the hopes of two families together. A traditional marriage, is very colourful and vibrant with music, dance and laughter, the whole atmosphere is uplifting and moving and a truly unforgettable experience for the Bride, Groom and all the Guests.