#Brides from #Africa #IbibioBride #AkwaIbom #Nigeria

It is great to bring back Brides from Africa.

On today's run, I bring you colourfully-attired Ibibio brides from Akwa Ibom state of Nigeria. 

The Ibibio people have a rich culture and are from the Southeastern part of Nigeria. In more recent times, the people of Akwa Ibom are now from South South Nigeria.

The Ibibio traditional marriage starts with the
'Ndidiong Ufok'. This involves the family of the groom getting to know the house of the bride-to-be.

After 'Ndidiong Ufok', the groom's family 'knocks' (Nkong Ufok/Usong) on the door to officially ask for the woman’s hand.

The knocking on the door means the family of the groom asks for the girl's hand in marriage and collects the "list" provided by the father and elders of the woman’s family.

Nollywood actress Nse Ikpe-Etim, a native of Ibibio in her marriage attire

The 'list' includes things for each member of the lady’s family from the youngest to the oldest. The day the items on the list are to be delivered is called the ‘Uno Mpo’, which means to “to give something”. 


In Ibibio culture, young women undergo 'Mbopo' ceremonial rite also known as “fattening house” ritual. 

Mbopo means “the fattened girl,” referring to the collective process of confinement, beautification, fattening, and circumcision. It is believed to ensure her purity, sexual appeal, marital fortune, and successful pregnancies. The rite also endow the woman with strength as well as the skill required to handle the unrelenting rigours of womanhood.

The traditional wedding follows after the Ndidiong Ufok and Nkong Ufok/Usong.

The bride and groom turn out in full traditional outfit.

 The ceremony involves the hiding of the groom, the bride going in search of the groom with the drink given to her by her parents to offer him, cutting of the cake and dancing till sunset.

Read more on Ibibio traditional marriage on Tripdownmemorylane

Thank you for stopping by. It would be sweet if you left comments, so I know you dropped in.

Have a glorious New Year!

Love

Stella

If you have bridal photos to share from your place, send it to me via email and I'll share it here and give you credit. I love romance and swooning over bride photos is my hobby.

******

Flirty & Feisty Romance 

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#Brides From #Africa 1- #BiniBride #Edo #Nigeria

Welcome to Brides from Africa

 

 

Every so often, I will share photos of brides from different parts of Africa. In addition, I will reveal one or two facts.

On this first slot, I have photos of brides from my native place of Benin, Edo state, in South-South Nigeria in West Africa. The people of Benin speak Bini language.

Courtsey of Tripdownmemorylane

Bini brides wear several layers of red coral beads (called Ivie) as an adornment on their heads, neck, wrists and fingers.

The beaded coral crown on the bride's head is called okuku.

IVIE is another specie of coral beads, an important type of jewelry worn by Edo chiefs. This kind is described as precious coral. It has a hard core that can be polished to bring out beautiful red, rose, or pink colours.

On the wedding day, The OKA EGBE (eldest male) of the woman's family would normally preside over the ceremony. Kola nuts and wine are presented. Prayers are said and the kola nuts are broken and shared.

The marriage ceremony involves the DOWRY payment which includes a small sum of money. Gifts for mother of the bride and IROGHAE - members of the extended family would be part of the settlement. 

During the ceremony, a few 'fake brides' march in for the groom to choose his bride. As expected, he rejects each woman.

Then, his bride is heralded in with traditional music in a her majestic bridal outfit.

Amidst prayers, laughter and sometimes tears, the bride would be carefully hoisted on the lap of the OKA EGBE of the groom's family or her father-in-law.

And afterwards, she is also hoisted on the groom's laps. 



There would of course be a lot of merriment on the day of marriage as the bride and the bridegroom are presented openly to the two families.

Read more at Edofolks, Facebook.com & Raceandhistory .

Thank you for visiting. Please leave me a comment.

If you have bridal photos to share from your place, send it to me via email and I'll share it here and give you credit. I love romance and swooning over bride photos is my hobby.

******

Flirty & Feisty Romance 

Our promise...is to deliver an intensely emotional experience you'll never forget.

Website

Amazon

Smashwords

Follow us on Twitter

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Follow on Google+