There comes a point in your life when you have to choose partner, leave your father and mother and start your own family.
Marriage is an age-old custom and various tribes treat it differently. Marriage traditions differ from tribe to tribe.
There are many ethnic groups in Nigeria and the traditional marriage is performed according to the customs of the tribe involved.
The reason for some of these marriage customs are actually quite hard to explain. Some have to do with money, others are connected with behavior.
Some of these marriage traditions scare a lot of people away from getting married because it is too much hassle.
Here are some Nigerian marriage traditions that some people find scary while others find it weird.
- When you have to prostrate at Yoruba traditional wedding
Yorubas value respect, so it’s not surprising that the groom and his friends have to lie down flat in their elegant attire before the bride's parents.
Whether you’re wearing the most expensive dress in the world and the floor is dirty, you cannot escape this tradition.
- When you have use all your life savings for bride price
The bride price attached to marrying an Igbo woman can leave your bank account in red. But not all Igbo tribe yeah not all..
If you can’t meet up with the requirements, just respect yourself and stay on your lane.
- When you have to receive strokes of cane because you want to marry
The Sharo tradition is an age old tradition practiced by the Fulani people in which a groom must endure the flogging, not wince, cry or show he is in pain.
Better man up because if you fail this test, you’re going home without a bride.
- The stern-faced bride
From the moment she walks out, the Ijaw bride is expected not to smile until she has been sprayed plenty money by her husband.
So fill that pocket of yours with money if you want to see the slightest smile from your bride.
- When you have to prove to the crowd you know your wife
Two or three women come out covered from head to toe. It is the job of the groom to identify which one of them is his bride.
God help you, you don’t pick the wrong bride.
- When your virginity is tested
The bride is not supposed to be defiled before the wedding night so, her virginity is tested on the wedding night.
In this day and age, how many girls will pass this test?
- When you have to carry the bride
Though, not a serious part of the Yoruba marriage tradition, it is done for its significance. The groom’s ability to carry his signifies that he has the strength to take care of her.
Start lifting weights before that day so you don’t fall your hand.
