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Hello Hivers! This is my entry into the Smi-le and Crossculture community contest. I love weddings and I know most of us do. Therefore, to participate click HERE. I invite 
I am Yoruba, one of major ethnic groups in Nigeria. From the stories that I have been told and the weddings I have attended, I realised that Yoruba marriage rites are not as complex as that of some other ethnic groups.
In African marriages, it is about the union of families and not just of the couple. I'll tell you what I know about our marriage process from participating in my sister's wedding and also from what I have been told by my elders.
Courtship And Proposal
When my elder sister got married in 2016 to her best friend, a fellow Yoruba man, I know they had been courting for like a year. The groom visited our house frequently to see my sister.
When he proposed and my sister said yes, the groom informed his family about his choice (which of course is known to them already). On our side of the family, my sister informed my parents. My dad chose a convenient date for the Introduction also known as momi n mo. This date was passed along to the groom who informed his family about it.
Before things became modernized, it was the culture that both families would choose a middle person called alarina who would investigate the couples to be and their families. If anything shameful or abominable was found, the marriage rites would be called off. If it is positive, then the rites would go on.
Introduction Ceremony
On the Introduction day (which is usually hosted by the bride's family), both families would meet and formally get to know each other. The groom must not come empty-handed for this event. Usually, a basket of fruits is gifted to the bride's father upon their entry into the bride's home.
Then the chosen elder from the groom's family would introduce the family to the bride's family and state the reason why they came to visit.
While the guests are being entertained with foods and drinks, the bride (beautifully and coluorfully dressed) would be invited to kneel before the elders of both families. She would be asked whether or not she wants to the marry the groom. If yes before the witnesses, the elders of the families would then pray for the couple and bless them.
Before the end of the Introduction ceremony, the bride's family would have prepared the bridal list called eru iyawo and hand it over to the groom's family. All items on the list, including the bride price, must be made available on the Traditional marriage day. However, in recent times, the list is now negotiable.
Traditional Marriage Ceremony
This ceremony which is also called Engagement is conducted by two moderators called alaga ijoko and alaga iduro. This ceremony is for the joining of the couples. It usually involves a lot of spending and giving away cash,so the groom must be financially ready. But first the items on the eru iyawo would have been attractively arranged like this.
The alaga ijoko collects all the fees requested and paid while the alaga iduro is like the master of ceremony who conducts the entire event.
The bride and groom would be dressed in their choice of matching attire called ofi. The groom would have come into the hall with his friends to prostrate before the elders and family members, showing his willingness to marry their daughter.
The bride on the other hand would be beautifully adorned with gold earrings, necklace and beads. The beads are important and a bride cannot do without them. Her face would be veiled and she would enter into the ceremony hall dancing, surrounded by her friends. The veil would not be removed until the groom had paid the requested money.
The couple would then be joined and prayed for by both families. There's usually lots of dancing, drinking and eating thereafter.
In recent times, most couple go further to obtain a license from the marriage registry and legalize their marriage.
I hope you enjoyed reading through my piece. My thanks to 
