The Igbo People
The Igbo people also spelt Ibo and formerly also Iboe, Ebo, Eboe, natively Ṇ́dị́ Ìgbò) are an ethnic group in Nigeria. They are primarily found in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo States.
A sizable Igbo population is also found in Delta and Rivers States. Ethnic Igbo populations are found in Cameroon, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea, as migrants as well as outside Africa. There has been much speculation about the origins of the Igbo people, which are largely unknown.
Source: Rich Perspectives
Geographically, the Igbo homeland is divided into two unequal sections by the Niger River—an eastern (which is the larger of the two) and a western section. The Igbo people are one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa.
Igbo, also called Ibo, are people living chiefly in southeastern Nigeria who speak Igbo, a language of the Benue-Congo branch of the Niger-Congo language family.
The Igbo may be grouped into the following main cultural divisions: northern, southern, western, eastern or Cross River, and northeastern.
Before European colonization, the Igbo were not united as a single people but lived in autonomous local communities
Marriage Tradition and Customs in Igbo Land
Marriage means different things to different people. To some people, it means a union between a man and a woman. To others, it means a union between two families.
The Igbo see marriage as a union between two families and have a unique and elaborate marriage process. This marriage tradition will be discussed in stages in the preceding paragraphs.
The First Introduction/Knocking On The Door (Ikụ Aka n’ Uzo)
The Igbo translation of iku aka is “to knock on the door” and “Iju Ese” is translated as: “to ask about or inquire”. This is the very first visit of the groom-to-be to his prospective in-laws.
Escorted by some members of his family, the would-be-groom makes an introductory visit and formally introduces himself and his family members to the bride-to-be’s family, officially makes known his intent to marry their daughter, and then “asks’ for the bride’s parents” consent.
The groom should not go alone for the “iku aka” visit – you are expected to be accompanied by your father and elderly relatives, plus a few close friends (optional).
Here, the groom-to-be, accompanied by his parents and a small group of close family members (one or two uncles and aunts) visits the bride’s parents to officially announce his interest in marrying their daughter, and also ask the girl’s hand. His father or an elderly Uncle would be the spokesman at this visit.
In addition, when going for the “Iku aka”, the groom is not mandated to take any gift along, but you can use your discretion to take a few gifts.
The Family Background Investigation (Ijụ Ajụjụ)
After the first visit, the bride’s family begin an investigation on the groom’s family, they check their background and history (hereditary illnesses, bad behaviours, divorce, fertility etc. are all checked).
This investigation also determines the progress of the next meeting between both families as the bride’s people will then decide if the groom-to-be is good enough to take care of their daughter and their future children.
In the same vein, it is also assumed that the groom’s family must have carried out a similar investigation before the first visit.
The investigation helps the families to uncover where each family comes from, the village locations, each family character, family standing in society, the family dynamics, religious practices, including family general health information, and even blood type.
The Follow-Up Visit for the Discussion of the Bridal List (Ihu Isi Nwanyi)
Following the Iju Ajuju and (investigations) and both families are happy with their findings, the families will schedule a follow-up visit (Ihu Isi Nwanyi).
The next meeting will be between the groom’s family (they can be as many as 20 people) and the bride’s extended family popularly known as Umunna.
This meeting is important because the groom’s people have to restate their interest in marrying from their family, they first have to give the groom their consent and the bride gives the final consent, dates for the traditional wedding will be set and the bride price list will be sent out.
In Igboland, tradition states that the groom takes a few gifts along (such as kola nuts, palm wine, beer, soft drinks, tobacco, snuff and a goat). This will be shared between the groom and the bride’s family.
Before the discussion of the Bridal List, the bride’s father will call her to come and greet the guests; and in the presence of the guests, her father will inform her of their guest marriage proposal–should they accept or decline? Shyly, she will nob yes to accept! LOL Marriage is on and the guests applaud!
According to traditions, the bride’s family give the Bridal List requirement to the groom’s family. The Bridal List includes items for the bride’s parents and community; the men (Umunna), the women (Umuada) and the young adults (Umu youth).
The Igbo Bridal List includes various items as:
- Tubers of yam (amount varies with each community)
- Large bags of rice
- Specified number of alcoholic drinks and Soft drinks
- Cash gifts
- Kola nuts
- Goats/Cows
- Fruits
- Tobacco Head
- Large Stock fishes
- Ø Bags of onions
- A bag of salt
- Bags of beans
- 2-3 George wrappers, High-end Ankaras, and head-ties
- Two pairs of shoes
- A wristwatch
- At least one bar of bathing soap
- One large basin
- Jewelry for the mother
- Luggage bags
- Large Talcum powder and so much more.
Note, the Bridal List will differ from one Igbo village community to another. The above list is mainly the type of items you should expect to see on the list.
But the exact number of specified items required will depend on the traditions of each community.
The Dowry Negotiations (Ego Isi Nwanyi)
The dowry by tradition is any specified amount of money the bride’s parents give the groom to pay for asking for their daughter’s hand in marriage before the traditional wedding ceremony. Both families can negotiate the amount specified, while some might not.
The two families will meet and discuss the dowry amount as tradition demands. There is no set amount for the dowry as it’s up to the two families to decide when the dowry discussion comes up.
Once the dowry is paid, the groom’s family would discuss the date and plans for the traditional wedding (Igba Nkwu) ceremony the day, before they depart.
The Traditional Wedding Ceremony (Igba Nkwụ)
The Traditional wedding ceremony which is called Igba Nkwu is an open event and the only part of the Igbo marriage process the public can attend at the bride’s family home along with both families, friends, and well-wishers in attendance to witness the union of the couple.
In most Igbo communities, the traditional wedding ceremony is far more important than the court wedding or religious wedding, which is more Western in style.
For some couples, once they complete their traditional marriage ceremony, they may decide whether to have a court wedding or a church/religious wedding for legal reasons with the government or not.
The preparation for the traditional wedding day is the responsibility of the bride’s family. Both families will invite extended family members, friends, their communities, and well-wishers to come and witness the marriage of their children.
Asoebi – The Bridal Train:
The bride, with the necessary help from her family, will select some of her spinster’s friends and female family members to serve as her Asoebi (the bridal train).
These women will dress in matching Asoebi outfits to accompany the bride in processions during the ceremony.
Groom & Family Arrival:
The celebration kick-start once the groom with his family and friends arrives at the bride’s family home.
The bride’s parents and other elder family members will meet up with the groom and his family and warmly greet them and have them seated while the music plays in the background as more guests and well-wishers arrive.
The celebration begins with a prayer session. Subsequently, the bride’s family presents the groom’s family with kola nuts and drinks. After some speeches by both families, the bride will come out and greet the guests.
The bride comes out with music and dancing accompanied by her Asoebi ladies to greet all their guests and leaves. The celebration program continues and they serve the guests food and drinks, while other entertainment takes place too.
The Wine Carrying:
Whilst the groom is hiding, the bride, now in the changed outfit, will dance out accompanied by her Asoebi ladies towards her parents and kneel before her father.
Customarily, her father will restate to his daughter the intentions of the groom and his family and then gives her palm wine in a cup to drink a little and then to find the man she intends to marry and give the rest of the drink to him.
With the cup of wine, the bride dances through the guests looking for her groom, who is hiding amongst the guests as tradition demands the bride to find him.
When she finds him, she goes to him, kneels, and offers him the remaining drink to him. The groom accepts the drink, drinks it all; and puts any amount of money in the cup for his bride.
The Wedding Ceremony:
Cheered on by the ecstatic guest, the bride takes her groom to her father for blessings. Upon getting to her father, the couple kneels for his blessings. The father blesses the newlywed and offers them words of advice.
After the blessings, the couple rise to music and dancing; joined by their family and friends, showering them with spraying money.
The end of the traditional marriage day is very emotional for the bride and her family because the bride will leave her parent’s house that night with her packed luggage to go home with her new husband and his family.
New Home Sendoff Gifts by the Bride’s Parents (Idu Ụlọ)
This is a tradition practised in Igbo culture, where the bride’s family showers their newlywed daughter with household gift items to start her new married life.
The gifts vary depending on what the bride’s family can afford to gift their daughters such as a fridge, cooking utensils, bedding, air conditioning, cooking pots, cash gifts, a car, a new home and much more.
