Saturdays are for Weddings!!!
not Entanglements

We take a brief look at the Traditional wedding rites of the IGEDE people.

THE ENGAGEMENT
The groom visits the bride accompanied friends. The soon to be couple are to dress in transparent...
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or semi-unclad clothing
This is done for both parties to see each others body to enable them have a fair opinion about themselves.

Any injury mark is made on the man's body to prove he's hardworking. Implying he can take care of the woman.

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Courtship can now commence. Meanwhile, a secret investigation begins by both families to know if either of the families is free from diseases, insanity, stealing traits, alcoholism and whether or not both families are related by blood

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A mediator "Oleru" is contracted by the bride's parent, usually a man whom all demand can be channelled to.

Bride price in Igede is called, "Echwuotaba". It has no fixed amount and can be paid installmentally.
The bride price is complete when 12 brass bars is provided.

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The amount paid for the brass bars varies from family to family according to social status.

THE WEDDING CEREMONY
The arrival of the groom and his people is marked with alot of fun fair and feasting(Uganyahuonyewe) in the bride's house.

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A bride is regarded a wife only when a gun is hot at least once on her arrival at her husband's house in company of her friends.
There's shouting(Ekwuta jeije, jeije jeeeeeehhhh) and jubilation in the groom's compound.

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The new wife is firstly camped(Ahu Ojuga) in the home of her relative living close to her husband's house at least 3 days before she finally moves into the house.

This is done to settle any complaint between the groom and his in-laws.

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The next day, the groom's father hosts the couple to a big feast and blesses their union.

A hen is slaughtered and shared into two equal parts, one part for each family, with the gizard and kidney given to the couple.

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This depicts everlasting commitment of the couple to each other to death.

Was all these just in the past?
Are all of them still practised?

Igede Ihio!

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