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IGBO TRADITIONAL MARRIAGES IN NIGERIA
by Happiness
The Ibos is a Tribe in Nigeria originally believed to have come from Israel and as a result, many
people refer to us as ‘Ibos’, which means black Jews.
In Ibo land, girls are expected to be ready for marriage from the age of 18 while the men from
the age of 25. When a man is ready to get married, he comes home to his parents, buys some
drinks, especially palm wine called ‘Nkwuenu’ and tells them that he is ready to have a family,
which is always very welcomed.
From that day onwards, the happy parents start suggesting names of some beautiful girls
from respectable families.
When the man and his parents finally agree on one, the man, his father and two uncles would
go to the girl’s father’s house with drinks and ‘kolanuts’ and knock on the door. If they are
welcomed, a date is fixed and all the elders from both families and the villages will be invited
to the wedding.
On the day of the wedding, at about 3pm, the bride will go hiding with her friends and the
groom waits outside for almost half an hour to forty-five minutes before the bride finally
comes out. Everyone is then happy and the celebration starts and lasts for almost two hours.
The bride’s price, which is the most important thing, should be paid and at the end the girl
follows her husband to his house.
Happiness, English Functional Skills, KW
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