Traditional Nigerian Wedding
This Section was created to explain the Yoruba traditional wedding events. Please visit this link for a more in depth overview.
www.eventdesignbybe.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-nigerian-wedding-traditions-for-yoruba-weddings/
The Yoruba traditional wedding ceremony is usually moderated by two MCs known as alaga. These are usually older women from both families. The alaga iduro (standing MC) represents the groom’s family while the alaga ijoko (sitting MC) represents the bride’s. These women add spice to Yoruba weddings with their jokes and songs and ensure that the ceremony is fun and lively.
The ceremony starts once the groom’s family arrives and is seated. The families will usually seat on opposite sides of each other with the alagas in the middle. After some mini introductions, the groom’s family will give a proposal letter to the bride’s family which a young member of the bride’s family (usually the bride’s younger sister or cousin) will read for everyone to hear. In return, the bride’s family will present an acceptance letter to the groom’s family to show that they accept the union.
The groom then dances in with his friends and they prostrate in greeting the bride’s family. This method of greeting is called Idobale in Yoruba, and the guys must lay down flat completely to be accepted. This humble greeting is done to show that the groom has respect for the bride’s family and that he values their daughter who he wants to marry. The bride’s family then prays for him and he takes his seat.
The bride also dances in with her friends and greets her family who prays for her. She then does the same to the groom’s parents. After this, she kneels before her groom and the family prays for their union to be blessed. She then removes and re-wears his fila on his head to show she accepts his marriage proposal.
At this point, the alaga ijoko will ask the bride to select one item out of the eru iyawo (gifts). She will usually pick the Bible. Inside this book, she’ll find an engagement ring and give it to her husband. The groom then wears her the ring. Once this is done, the couple cuts their wedding cake, and the wedding ceremony concludes with prayers. The famous Yoruba party and merriment then begin.
Similar to the money dance seen at many Filipino weddings and at nuptials throughout much of Latin America, Nigerian weddings often include a money spray. Dancing during Nigerian weddings is oftentimes the highlight of the event itself. Usually, this is kicked off by the parents and close family members at the start of the traditional Nigerian ceremony and then later when the bride and groom make an appearance with their individual entourages and then together as husband and wife once they are officially traditionally married. Money spraying is something done to show love to the newly married couple and to wish them wealth, prosperity and abundance.