Yoruba people will always be guilty of having too much fun if having too much fun was crime. Yoruba people look for the simplest reasons to throw parties, play dress up, and have fun. From naming ceremonies, to weddings and engagements, to house warming parties, to convocation and matriculation events, to anything really. Hell, sometimes, no particular reason is even needed😅.
One major one that is taken with a lot of seriousness around here is the celebration of traditional weddings. Weddings are generally times of fun and a celebration of two people coming together in a agreement to do forever together. And the people of southwestern Nigeria do not take this lightly at all.
A Yoruba traditional wedding usually involves the groom coming to ask for the hand of the bride in marriage from the relatives of the bride. This is usually done in front of the bride's home. The groom would have brought along multiple gifts for the bride's family as a bride price which usually include things like foodstuff, alcohol, drinks and beverages, money, among others.
There is usually a master of ceremonies at these events that coordinates and directs which activity comes after which and make sure that the event is organized and orderly. The Master of ceremonies (Alaga Iduro) must also have some witty humour that will keep the guests laughing heartily and keep them engaged throughout the course of the event. Selecting a very good MC for a traditional wedding is a very important thing.
The attire for that day is usually agbada for the males that flows gracefully as they walk about with very shiny shoes and caps to match. The ladies are not left out as they are adorned with iro and buba or aso ofi, or some other fashion beauty. It is always a wonderful sight to behold.
Yoruba is a culture that is big on respect and this is portrayed during traditional weddings too as the groom and his agbada-clad friends are required to prostrate before the family of the bride as a show of respect and the bride's family acknowledges the entry of the groom into their family.
Food always overflows at these events too. Of course, it doesn't stop the guests from complaining about food getting to their side late while others have been served. Patience, dem no get😅.
Traditional Yoruba music, popularly called Tungba music, is another thing that never runs out at these parties. There is almost always a live band there to perform to the delight of the guests with the beautiful melodies that emanate from their instruments.
Of course, the common family clothes(aso ebi) would not be hard to identify in the crowd. Plenty people wearing the same attire to show their unity and support for the newly wedded couple.
The multitude of prayers showered on the newly wedded couple by everyone ensures that the couple have a blessed and wonderful married life.
Dance!
Dance!!
Dance!!!
The festivities gently die out as the guests begin to leave.