Traditional marriage rites in igbo land | ceremony requirements | "igba nkwu nwayi"
Are you planning to marry an Igbo girl/lady? It is very advisible to get yourself aquinted with some of their traditional requirements for marriage rights. Be informed that there are different traditions and customs in Igbo land depending on the community, local government area or state the girl/lady is from.
Written below are some of them but be rest assured that the family you are about to get into will surely give you a similar or different marriage list requirements.
STAGES IN THE TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE OF A DAUGHTER IN IGBO LAND
STAGE I: Introduction/story telling
STAGE II: Requesting for the door to open (Nkutu Aka Nuzo)
STAGE III: Request or application to come in and marry (Igba Nju)
STAGE IV: Traditional marriage ceremony (Igba nkwu)
NOTE: Each stage has its separate programme/functions and requirements.
FAMILY (NDI-IBE) (NAME OF THE FAMILY HERE)TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE OF THEIR DAUGHTER
Nee ……………………………………..
STAGE I: INTRODUCTION / STORY TELLING
Introductions: ………………………………………
Name of the intending husband ……………………
Address…………………………………….……….
REQUIREMENTS
a. Two (2) gallons of palm wine, one carton of star beer or stout beer
b. A carton of malt drink
c. A bottle of good brand hot drink
STAGE II: INITIAL REQUEST (NKUTU AKA N’UZO) REQUIREMENT
a. Two (2) gallons of palm-wine
b. A bottle of good hot drink
c. One create of malt drink
STAGE III: (IGBA NJU) APPLICATION PROCESS
a. Four (4) gallons of palm wine
b. Four (4) cartons of star beer
c. Two (2) cartons of stout beer
d. Four (4) cartons of malt drink
e. Big strand of dried smoked fish
f. One head of Tobacco
g. 2 packets of good cigarette
TO FAMILIARIZE WITH ALL THE COMPONENT MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY
a. Eni Nwigboke two gallons of palm wine or (Cash N…………..)
b. Okorie Igboke two gallons of palm wine or (Cash N…………)
c. Anaga Aja two gallons of palm wine or (cash N…………)
d. The daughters uncle two gallons of palm wine or (cash N………….)
STAGE IV: TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE CEREMONY(IGBANKWU NWANYI)
REQUIREMENTS
To receive the list of items of the marriage before the marriage day
a. Two(2) gallons of palm wine
b. N1000.00) cash
c. A bottle of hot drink
d. Two (2) cartons of stout beer
ACTUAL MARRIAGE CEREMONY “IGBA-NKWU” DAY
REQUIREMENT
- a. 28 gallon of palm wine (good type)
- b. Public address system and traditional music dance
- c. Seats and canopy
- d. 3 cartons of small stout
- e. 2 cartons of Guinness malt
- f. Four (4) cartons of star beer or Gulder
- g. Four (4) big bottles of original seaman schnapps royal
- h. Twelve (12) big kola –nuts
- i. 2 heads of tobacco or cash (N……………..)
- j. 2 packets of cigarettes or cash (N……………)
- k. Big dried bush meat
- l. Big strand of dried smoked fish
- m. Two (2) big goats or one cow
- n. Dowry money (negotiable) (Cash N……………….)
- o. Obi’s money (negotiable) (cash N……………….)
- p. Negotiation money (Ntiwa Isi) money for Umunna (negotiable) (cash N……………..)
- q. Life promising regency (to be determined and offered by the husband)
- r. See the family wives for their requirements
- s. Prayer/family blessing cash (N……………………..)
ISSUANCE OF TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE AND TO COUNT THE DORY MONEY
REQUIREMENT
a. Payment for traditional marriage certificate and bond of unity (cash N……….)
b. Two gallons of palm wine
c. One (1) carton of star beer
d. One (1) bottle of hot drink
e. To offer the daughter’s hand to the suitor.
Please note that this list for traditional marriage varies in different communities in the Igbo Land States in Nigeria
Tags: Traditional Marriage, Igbo Land, Igba-Nkwu, Nwanyi, Nkutu Aka Nuzo
Involved states: Abia (Umuahia), Anambra (Akwa), Imo (Owerri), Enugu, Ebonyi (Abakaliki)