Guest Post: Nigerian Wedding Traditions

Hello everyone! I usually post on Saturdays but we had a busy day yesterday!

I am very excited as I have been asked to help out with two weddings!! This is going to be great experience! Wish me luck! :)

Today's guest post is from Vivian at Imani Swank Bridals, a wedding dress retail shop in Nigeria! Here she discusses Nigerian wedding traditions!

Check her out on Twitter and her website! 

KOLA-NUT FOR A GIRL

Hey guys,

We are delighted to share with you a little about the preparation items needed to marry a girl from the South-Eastern part of Nigeria, yep, you guessed right, the Igbo people of Nigeria.

The Igbo people of Nigeria are known to be a good looking tribe with complexions ranging from beautiful ebonies to the palest of yellows. Some people even state that these particular set of people have strong ties with the Jewish people of Israel: see link below.

We have heard quite a number of people say that to marry a girl from that part of the country is quite expensive, to say the least, however, no matter how much money a man has, a marriage ceremony can never take place in the absence of these items.

Here are a few of the important items required to marry a lady from South-Eastern Nigeria:

KOLA-NUT called 'Oji' in the Igbo language

The Kola-nut is a caffeine containing nut from the Kola tree usually found in tropical rainforests which is used by many American and European countries in the production of drinks and other products.

The kola-nuts are the highest symbol of Igbo hospitality and unity. Usually, the oldest kinsman from the bride's family is asked to bless the kola nuts. He will take one of the nuts in his right hand and make a blessing, prayer or toast using a proverb.

GARDEN EGG

This is given to the bride's family as a symbol of celebration and goodwill. This is shared before the main meal of the day is served (which comprises of Jollof Rice, Akpu, Pounded Yam or Garri and Native soups) and is usually eaten with Ose Oji ( Peppered Peanut Butter)

PEPPERED PEANUT BUTTER called ose oji in the Igbo Language

This is a groundnut paste known to many as peanut butter mixed with chili pepper. The serving of the garden eggs is usually incomplete if not accompanied with this tasty mixture.

PALM WINE called Nkwo or Ngwo in the Igbo Language

This is the local wine derived from the palm tree which is produced in many Tropical countries. There are several types of palm wine, the sweet, which is that that has not been left to ferment and the sour which contains a higher level of alcohol due to the fermentation process.

Both are accepted in the traditional marriage ceremony in Igbo-land.

During the traditional marriage ceremony, the bride is required to search for her husband in the midst of eligible men and when she is sure she has found him, will feed him palm wine from the glass she carries.

Palm wine is a strong symbol of loyalty and merriment and is normally offered to guests at the end of the introduction ceremony, where the bride's family and kinsmen have agreed to hand over the bride to her groom and his family.

The Igbo tradition is very rich and we simply cannot go into all the details today, however, We hope you enjoyed this little peek at the culture of exchanging kola-nut for a girl.

Please follow our blog, http://blog.imaniswank.com, the official blog of Imani Swank Bridals, the biggest retailer of Allure Bridals, Mori Lee and Tari Nolan Bridal lines in Nigeria for wedding dress and planning tips.

With love,

Imani Swank Bridals

blog.imaniswank.com

IGBO JEWISH PEOPLE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igbo_Jews

IGBOS FRIENDS OF ISRAEL: http://igbofriendsofisrael.com/culturalevidence.html