BRIDE PRICE IN IGBO LAND
Igbo kwenu!! Igbo kwenu!! Igbo kwezuonu…oooooooooo
Good day steemians. A wonderful new week to you guys, I wish you success in all your endeavors.
I am going to go all cultural today, our culture is our origin and heritage. No matter where you come from, there must be a culture you represent. I am going to talk about a culture and norm in the igbo land. It is the popular bride price. For those that don’t know what I’m talking about. Bride price refers to an amount of wealth in form of goods, cash and services that the groom to be gives to the family of his bride to be as a symbol of his estimation of the bride and a way of claiming ownership of the bride.
In Igbo land. You can’t marry a lady without without fulfilling and meeting up her bride price, Its every man's dream to have a beautiful and decent wife, but in Igbo land nothing good comes easy. Many people in recent times have complained about bride price in Igbo land. But, that is not our case and problem in this post.
The bride price is very important to the Igbo culture, it gives you the sole ownership and rightful place in the life of a woman (bride).
Here is an overview as to what you should provide before taking a lady as your wife traditionally in Igbo land.
FIRST PAGE: UMUADA (ALL KINDRED DAUGHTERS)
• Toiletries (Body creams, bathing soaps, washing detergents, etc.)
• Beverages and food items
• Cash gift (lump sum) –Ogwe ego
• Drinks (Malt & Minerals)
• Wrappers and Blouses– (George/Hollandis/Nigerian Wax)
• Jewelry – (Gold plated earrings, necklaces)
• Head ties and Shoes (Different types and colors)
• Hand bags and wrist watches (Different types and colours)
SECOND PAGE: NMANYA UKWU (BIG WINE) – KINSMEN (UMUNNA) the items in this category will be shared amongst the heads of the extended family of the bride to be.
• Bottles of Seaman’s Schnapps (millennium brand)
• Kolanuts
• Gallons of Palm wine
• Cartons of Beer, Malt and Mineral drinks
• Heads of Tobacco with potash
• Rolls of cigarettes
• 1 goat
• Cash gift (Lump sum) – Ego Umu’Nna
THIRD PAGE: N’MEPE UZO (OPENING OF GATE) – GENERAL
• 30 tubers of Yam
• 2 bags of Rice
• 2 bags of Salt
• 2 cartons of Star Beer
• 2 cartons of Guinness Stout
• 2 cartons of Maltina
• 6 crates of Minerals
• 3 bottles of Seaman’s Schnapps (millennium brand)
• 30 bulbs of onions
• 1 gallon of red Palm oil (10 -25 litres)
• 1 gallon of Groundnut oil (25 litres)
• A basin of Okporoko (Stockfish)
• 2 pieces of Goat leg (Ukwu Anu ewu)
• 25 loaves of Bread
• 1 carton of Tin Tomatoes
• 1 carton of Tin Milk
• 1 carton of Tablet soap
• 20 Pieces of Morning Rose powder
• 1 gallon of Kerosene
• 20 heads of Tobacco
• 10 packets of cigarettes
• 5 pieces of George/Hollandis/Nigerian Wax
• 3 pieces of Umbrella
• 1 Big Box (Apati)
• 2 Big Basins
• 2 pieces of Igbo Blouse
• 2 pieces of Headties
• Gold necklaces and Wrist watches (minimum of 2 pieces)
• 1 piece of Lantern/Lamp
• “Ikpo Onu Aku Nwayi” (Bride price) – Negotiable
Other cash gifts that may be demanded during the course of the ceremony
“Ego nfotu ite” (cash to bring down symbolic cooking pot)
“Ncha kishi udu” (Toasting of wine)
“Ego Ogo cherem” (money for the inlaws)
“Ego maternity” (money for future maternity)
“Ego Onye Eze” (money for village chief)
“Ogwe Ego” (lump sum)
All these are what make up the bride price in Igbo land. When a groom to be completes these rights, it is a way of showing that he can take care of the daughter and the family. It is a thing of pride if you complete these rites. Your in-laws will be proud of you; you can be called OKE-OGOO (STRONG AND GOOD INLAW).
Please don’t be afraid of this list please, these items can also be exchanged in monetary terms if yiu cant buy them in person. It’s our culture and heritage. Thank you all for reading. Enjoy the rest of your day.