Nigeria is a multi-ethnic country in Western Africa,With nearly 200 million inhabitants, it also happens to be one of the world's largest countries by population. The culture of the country is diverse and tends to differ from north to south, east and west.
Nigeria’s culture is made up of several ethnic groups that speak 527 different languages. The number of ethnic groups and dialects is recorded to be more than 1,150. Some of the most known ethnic groups include the likes of the Fulani, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, and Ijaw.
I happen to represent a minority group which is the ijaw. Customs and traditions differs based on the state and local government you are from, for me I am from bayelsa state, yenagoa local government, representing Epie/Atissa custom.
One of the distinctive aspect of Epie/ Atissa wedding ceremonies is the payment of bride price by the groom and his family. According to our traditions, the bride price payment is done as a way of showing gratitude to the brides family for taking care of the bride to make her the woman she has become. The bride price payment involves;
1.provision of complete native atire for the brides parent.
2.different kinds of alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks
3.a uniform for bridal train
4.a minimum of 10,000 naira ($8) for the community youths
5.amount for the bride price payment
6.One gallon of kerosene
7.One bag of salt
8.cured tobacco leaves.
Marriage ceremonies are usually done in the afternoon, where the bride and grooms family members and friends are sitted present.
Some of the requirements from the grooms family to the bride include,
- A box filled with traditional attires including shoes and bags
- Buying the bride jewelries of different kinds
Payment of bride price in Epie/ Atissa tradition also bring about,
1.Dignity and a sense of maturity to the couples
2.it create a unique respect and freedom of partner and association in the husband's community
3.it entitles the couple to freely express opinion on issues of tradition and customs among the people
4.it gives the woman right to vote and be voted for in her husband's community.
These are some of the ways Epie/Atissa wedding custom embody community heritage and beliefs,
1.COMMUNITY VALUES: Which involves respect for elders and family unity
2.CULTURAL IDENTITY: This involves holding on to tradition that will be pass on to the next generation
3.SOCIAL BONDING: this brings about unity and oneness between communities for this instance between two different people coming together as one.
"Custom form us,we do not form them. they make us,we do not make them."
by Blaise Pascal
This quote shows us how important custom and tradition is in identifying us and also the kind of belief and values we grow up with as individuals.
This is my entry for the contest LOH #219
