Igbo Tradtional Wedding: Lots of people in Igboland who are about to get married would like to make their wedding ceremony unforgettable. For the Igbos, the native traditional wedding ceremony is colourful and magnificent, and it is one you will always remember with pride. Let us find out about the main rules and features of the Igbo traditional wedding.
All the facts you should know about traditional wedding
Igbo people are one of the biggest ethnic groups on the whole African continent. The Igbo wedding ceremonies are well-known in Nigeria for its incredibly luxurious atmosphere. Out of all the ethnic groups, Igbo wedding traditions are probably one of the most exciting. Let us dive into the nuances of the Igbo wedding ceremony.
Before the wedding: what is necessary to know for future newlyweds?
Nigeria is a rich country when it comes to culture and traditions. Some of them apply to weddings, but there also are some customs that has to do with the pre-wedding preparations.
1. While Europeans favour skinny brides, Africans prefer curvier women. As for the traditional bride’s menu, she has to eat a lot of meat, vegetables, fish, and pastries, and also drink a lot of milk.
2. During the last couple of months before the wedding, the Igbo bride basically lives in paradise – she barely leaves the house, eats a lot, and talks only to her relatives. Apart from that, she has servants who often rub her body with palm oil to make her skin soft and flawless.
3. There are traditions concerning the groom as well, and they are not entirely pleasant for him. For example, some regions of Nigeria still preserve the ancient tradition of beating up the groom, which means he has to pass through the corridor of bride’s relatives, who beat him with sticks as he goes through. This tradition is for checking whether the groom is ready for hardships in family life and can endure them with pride.
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