5 shocking marriage traditions across Nigeria

5 shocking marriage traditions across Nigeria

The modern marriage traditions have totally diverged from the ancient marriage customs but some states still

practice these marriage customs. Some marriage traditions are so ancient in a culture that they have phased out

over time.  Here are five marriage practices still existing in Nigeria

1. The List (Igbo)

The dowry/bride price of the Igbo people features negotiation over a certain amount of money, which is usually not so much, and a long list that contains items that are needed for the marriage rites. Some regions of Igboland are notorious for over-stretching the list, as most villagers and kinsmen look forward to marriages as a means of settlement. The list also varies in length and value, depending on how wealthy the incoming family is or if the supposed spouse is from the same village, same state, or the same country.

2. Fattening room (Efik)

The fattening room is one of the shocking rites of passage into womanhood. Practiced by the Efiks, it is the room where young women are kept and prepared for womanhood before marriage. In times past, being fat is equivalent to being prosperous and healthy. The culture is gradually phasing out, though.

3. No smiling (Ijaw)

During the wedding ceremony,  an Ijaw bride is not expected to smile until she has been sprayed a lot of money by the groom and his family.

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4. Prostration (Yoruba)

Prostrating, or dobale, is a huge form of respect amongst the Yoruba, as they are very keen on respecting one’s elders. Therefore, at a traditional marriage, a groom and his groomsmen are all expected to lie down

flat/prostrate at the feet of the bride’s family. The groom is expected to prostrate four times before the end of the ceremony.

5. Sharo (Fulani) – 5 shocking marriage traditions across Nigeria

Fulanis believe in flogging a prospective groom publicly before the wedding. This is to test the bravery and resilience of the groom and make him prove that he is worthy of the bride. All suitors are expected to go through

this rigorous flogging and anyone who cries or chickens out loses the bride. The woman sees it as a thing of pride if her man gets flogged for her.

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