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TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE IN YORUBALAND - THE PROCESS AND RITES



The Yoruba ethnic group is one of the major ethnic groups in Nigeria. They dominate all the states in south west Nigeria. Places like Oyo state, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti and Lagos -also some part of Kogi and Kwara are referred to as Yorubaland. Weddings in Yorubaland is an occasion to show your best outfits, handbags and even dancing styles. Marriage in Yorubaland is quite fascinating and radiant.


THE PROCESS

The marriage process starts right after the man has made his choice. His parent's appoints somebody is called the ALARINA that is a middleman or chaperone. He starts an investigation about the spinster in question and her family. He inquires about anything that will put the man and his family in a bad situation if their son get married to her. If he finds a reason for the man not to marry the girl, the marriage process will be cut off -but if he doesn't find anything bad to hold on to, the marriage process continues.

The next stage is to arrange an informal meeting where the two families meet for the first time.
This meeting is called MOMI N MO. After the first meeting, a date is fixed for the introduction ceremony. At this meeting the bride's family provide a list of items known as ERU IYAWO which is termed the bridal list.

THE BRIDAL LIST (ERU IYAWO)

42 Big Tubers of Yam

25 Litres of Palm Oil and Vegetable Oil

Bottle of Honey

42 Pieces of Alligator Pepper (Atare)

Variety of Fruits

A Cow or Goat

Salt

Bride Price (Owo Ori)

42 Pieces of Dried Fish (Eja Osan)

Peppered Corn Meal (Adun)

4 Crates of Soft Drinks

2 Bottles of Wine

1 Bag of Rice

Big Suitcase with Shoes and Matching Bags

Different Fabrics including Head Gears

1 Complete Jewelry Set

Engagement Ring

A Bible or Quran


Bride's Outfit - The bride's outfit should reflect what female guests will wear. The outfit consists of Gele ( head gear), Buba (blouse) and Iro, a large material tied around her waist. The colours she chooses reflects the colour thread her family has chosen but should also complement the groom's outfit.


Groom's Outfit - The groom could decide to wear Agbada (flowing garments) either in cotton, lace or wax fabric (Ankara). His colour combination should complement the bride's and reflect the colour his family has chosen.


ENGAGEMENT RITES

On this day, the ceremony is anchored by two people, ALAGA IJOKO from the bride's family who is a female and ALAGA IDURO who is from the groom's family. The programme starts when the ALAGA IDURO usher the groom in and his people. They are usually barred from entering by the ALAGA IJOKO who is then given money before the groom and his family are allowed in.

They proceed to greet the bride's family who are already seated; the males prostrating and the females kneeling down. After the greetings, a proposal letter from the groom is now read by the youngest female in the bride's family affirming their intention to marry the bride.
The groom is made to prostrate with his friends first before his own family and then before the bride's family. He is then asked to beg for her hand in marriage.

The bride is the last to enter the venue. She is veiled and escorted to the ground by her friends. She first proceeds to her parents kneeling down as they pray for her after which she proceeds to the groom's parents for the same reason. The groom's parents unveil her as she then proceeds to her husband -dressing him up with the traditional Yoruba cap known as FILA. This is her way of showing acceptance.

At the instruction of the ALAGA IJOKO, the bride goes to the place where the engagement gifts have been arranged and she is asked to pick the most valuable thing there. She goes and pick up either the Quran or the Bible which has a ring attached to it. She then moves back to her groom who then puts the ring on the fourth finger of her left hand while she does same. Afterwards they move on to cut the traditional marriage cake.

Subsequently, the dowry is then handed  over to the bride's family. The bride's father returns the bride price to the groom after taking a small sum from the whole to show how much he values his daughter more than the wherewithal, but rather concerned of how his new son-in-law would treat his daughter.
This entails the end of the marriage but the event continues with a lot of dancing and eating.




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