Entry #8: A cultural Bridal Moments

     

    Recently, I had the opportunity to take part in a staged “Igbo” traditional wedding, where I was presented the bride. Although it was not a real marriage, the experience allowed me to step inside the cultural practice that carries deep meaning, beauty, and history. In this blog post, I want to walk you through the tradition behind videos I'll be sharing. The Igbo (pronounced Ee-bo) are One of the major ethnic groups in Nigeria Primarily located in the southeastern of the country.

The traditional wedding called “Igba Nkwu Nwayi” Is one of the most important cultural events in Igbo society. It is not just a celebration between two people, but a joining of families, histories, and communities. 

1.        Iku Aka- “Knocking on the Door”

          In Igbo culture, the first step of any traditional wedding is called Iku-Aka, which simply

          means knocking. This is when the groom’s family comes to the bride’s family home to formally announce their intention. It's like saying:

          “We are here, respectfully. Our son has seen a flower in your compound, and we want to make our intentions known.” 

After that the bride is called upon and asked to speak about the groom to make sure she knows who he is and if she accepts him to be her husband.

 

2.        Ikwu Ugwu Isi- Bride Price Stage

After knocking comes Ikwu Ugwu Isi, a stage where the groom's family formerly shows honor respect to the bright family. Additionally, this includes discussions about the pride prize and agreements between both families, but ours was just vibes and acting.

3.        Igba Nkwu Nwanyi- The Wine Carrying Ceremony

In real Igbo weddings, Igba Nkwu Is the heart of the whole ceremony, the moment everyone waits for. It is the moment when the bride, holding a cup of palm wine given to her by her father in search of her groom among the guests. This traditionally symbolizes recognition, choice, unity, and the public confirmation of the marriage. Jokingly the bride’s father will say:

 Go and look for your husband o!

Look well o! Don’t give another man! 

 This picture shows where I knelt down and gave the groom to drink.

Once the groom drinks from the cup, He publicly acknowledges the bride, sealing the union before the community.

 

4.        Parents Blessings

In Igbo tradition, once the bride offers the palm wine to the ground and he accepts it, the couple is expected to dance back together hand in hand to greet their parents. When they arrived before their parents, the elders or parents extend their hands over the couple to offer prayers and blessings. These blessings usually focus on peaceful home, fruitfulness, good health, protection, and long-lasting successful marriage.

 

5.        Celebration

After the parents' blessings everyone shouts with joy as they unlock the next level of celebration of where both families, friends and the couple dancing. You can also see some family members spraying money all for fun but in real weddings it’s far more than this. A lot of people make good amounts of money on their wedding day; that’s something Igbo people don’t play about. They support their loved ones and friends by spraying them money, getting them gifts and celebrating with them.

Even though this wasn't a real marriage, the experience was beautiful so stop it reminded me how much, joyful and meaningful the Igbo culture is..

The dance floor 

                                                   Pictures with the groom.

          

                                                

                             .                                Picture with friends 

                                               

                                                   A picture of the dancers