YORUBA WEDDING AFRICAN CEREMONY YORUBA WEDDING

YORUBA TRADITIONAL WEDDING/ENGAGEMENT

The traditional wedding is a big ceremony graced by the family of the bride and the groom. It is usually celebrated at the bride’s home or an event center. Pictures, videos and spraying of money are vital parts of the ceremony. The host is the bride’s family. The bride’s family sends the bride list (Eru Iyawo) including Bride Price (Owo Ori), other money for knocking the door (Owo Ikanlekun), wives in the home (Owo Iyawo Ile) and other payment as requested by the family. It is a must for the groom’s family to bring all the stuff on the list. Some families may not proceed with the ceremony if the list is not complete.

THE BRIDE’S LIST MAY INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

Proposal letter

· Traveling Suitcase filled with clothes, shoes, bags, and other stuffs for the use of the bride

· Jewelries

· Salt

· 50-100 Tubers of Yams

· Honey

· Bible/Quran(Depending on the Religion)

· Fresh Fruits

· Engagement Rings

· Palm Wine

· Sugar

· Umbrella

· Dry Fish

· Sugar

· Water and Soda

· Gallon of Oil

· Goat or Cow

· Kola and bitter nuts

· Proposal letter

· Bride Price and Envelopes of Money as listed on the list

Some years back, my children asked me, “Mummy, why do people have three weddings?

After explaining the details of each of the ceremonies, they all came to the agreement that the concept and the purpose of each one is unique and are worth celebrating

These lists often differ by family. Years ago, the items on the list were not wrapped for easy identification by the family, but they are now neatly wrapped by professionals for beautification. The ceremony is usually colorful with different attires by families of the bride and groom (Aso Ebi). The bride and groom wear the same attire and the ceremony marks the end of courtship. It is the event where the bride’s family officially hands over their daughter to the groom and his family. All aspects of the ceremony are accompanied by dancing, music, talking drums and jokes.