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Hello to everyone, it’s my first time posting in this community and I trust that I am welcomed. I fell in love with the prompt for this week contest and I am so glad to write about the traditional wedding ceremony in Cross-river state of Nigeria. Thanks to 
All nations and communities have their certain rite and traditions when it has to do with marriage and that’s what makes their tradition all unique and beautiful in its own way. Without all of this, marriage bond can never be said to have existed.
The Efik marriage rites begins with the process called “mbup ndo” this stage is solely a business of the would be parents not the intending couples themselves. The parents of the groom will come to negotiate and get the list containing the bride price and other things that the groom is expected to come along with to enable him proceed with the marital rites of getting their daughter. The brides parent having successfully investigated the grooms family and being satisfied with their intentions then calls their daughter (the intending bride) to know if she will like the marriage rites to kick-start then on her approval, the ball is set to roll. During these period, the brides friends rally round her to get their Ankara/ wrapper all ready and trust me the dancers are putting their best to grace the occasion with their beautiful dance steps. The Efik-bridal traditional attire is called “OYOYO”. This outfit is usually accompanied with a staff that further speaks of her royalty...
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On the fixed date the grooms family comes in with a special drink called “mmin ukong usun” which symbolically means that the quest are at the door waiting for approval from their host to come in, on going in, the present another drink called “mmin akam” which is used for libation to receive blessings from ancestors and to invite them to the ceremony. This is the efik-traditional prayer. After this, the grooms family will finally present a drink called “mmin ukop iko” this drink enables the host listen to the quest.
At this time, everywhere is colourfully decorated traditionally and the groom steps out first in a huge company of his friends, he dresses traditionally with a staff in his hand called “esang” to show the public that he is now a full blown man and he is ready to take the responsibility of a husband.
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After the grooms dances traditionally to his seat, he will then request for his bride. This again is more like the climax of the ceremony as the bride dresses like a queen in her specially made traditional dress “oyoyo” and her hair is traditionally decorated with beads, this hair style is called “etighe”.
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She is accompanied by her friends and maiden dancing the traditional “ekombi” dance which reveals her worth and makes her endearing to the groom.
It’s usually a beautiful moments with joyous cheers and admiration. The climax presentation is when the “ekebe ndo”-(marriage box) will be presented to the couples. This box contained all sort of clothes, wrapper, dowry, ring, bible, etc with all this, the couples are not expected to dress like the single folk many more.
After all is completed, the woman’s name automatically changes from her father’s name to that of her husband’s name as a proof that all has been fully paid traditionally.
I hearby invite 
