Whoever said Nigeria is the happiest country in the world
was not far from the truth. In Nigeria, there is absolutely a reason to be
merry. One of such is Marriage.
Wedding in Nigeria is one of the most ceremonious occasions
everybody looks forward to. Unlike what we have in the west where marriages are
not a big deal and can happen at any time, anywhere or with anybody, for
Nigerians, it takes a whole lot to plan and prepare for either one’s
traditional marriage or what we call “the white wedding”. In all, the wedding
dress is most paramount issue of all the preparations.
I guess it will be right to say that in Nigeria, there is no
wedding without a ‘proper ghen ghen’ wedding dress. To prove this point is the
fact that wedding dresses are what most Nigerian ladies look out for in any
wedding.
Well, like earlier said, Nigerian weddings comes in two
major ways – the traditional wedding and the white wedding and for each,
different wedding dresses are worn. Here are some of the indigenous wedding
dresses worn in Nigerian Weddings:
The Yoruba Wedding Attire
The Yoruba traditional marriage ceremony even though a
serious affair, is full of rich contemporary Nigerian music, graceful colors,
sumptuous meals and above all somewhat funny banter.
The dress of both the bride and the groom is selected with
the utmost care. Aso-Oke is the Yoruba cultural attire that can not be missing
in couple’s ensemble.
Other fabrics such as cotton, damask, lace or even wax
fabric (Ankara) can be worn on such occasion too but mostly in combination with
the Aso-Oke.
The bride has a five-piece outfit made of the same color and
fabrics as the groom’s. The lady wears a wide, long-sleeved blouse known as the
Buba made mostly from a lace material, a wrap-around garment to be worn at the
waist known as the Iro made of her prefered selected Aso-oke, a shawl or
shoulder sash called the Ipele or Iborun made from the same Aso-oke as the Iro
which she must drape over one shoulder as tradition demands of a bride, Gele –
a scarf and finally a veil of very sheer and light material with which she will
be covered until its time to unveil the bride and lets not forget matching
shoes, a clutch and the glamorous feferiti
After her first look with which she is unveiled and greets
the in-laws, the bride would then change into another dress which may or may
not be the same with that of her husband, depending on how many change of
clothes she has planned. The minimum for most people is two.
Other parts of her outfit include a Necklace which can be
either beads or gold chain and earrings. The colors she chooses reflect the
color theme her family has chosen which also complements the groom’s outfit.
The groom on the other hand will have a complete four piece
outfit of Yoruba wedding attires consisting of the Agbada (a two layered
material of heavy dimensions), Sokoto (loose-fitting trousers), Buba (a short
loose top) and Fula (the cap)
The Igbo Wedding Attire
The Igbo traditional wedding ceremony is usually placed
higher than any contemporary weddings like church or registry weddings.
In fact, it is the most important marriage rites any Igbo
couple should perform. Usually, the bride and groom choose to wear the same
fabric (though this is not compulsory) which is usually combined with heavy
embroidery, beads and bangles.
For the bride’s first outing where she greets her in-laws
and welcomes them with a dance, she is required to do the Ada Igbo dressing
which signifies that she is yet to be married. She can choose to wear either a
Nigerian wax fabric tank top, matching skirt, bold wrist bangle, large
necklaces, waist beads (jigida), leg beads and an elegant bead crown on her
hair.
Alternatively, she can wear a blouse and wrappers
accompanied with similar adornments around the neck, waist, ankles and wrists.
The body is adorned in white clay, waist beads (jigida),
bangles, feet and wrist chains, gold, coral beads, ear rings, necklace, wrist
lets.
She can also wear brass leg rings with the toes painted in
traditional hues depending on the color scheme, and her hair braided or woven
with a beaded crown beautifying the head.
The grooms outfit can be made from brocade material, top
quality lace or a fabric called jacquard or silk, it should complement the
fabric chosen by his bride, and the groom usually has on a large shirts which
could be sown having elaborate embroidery and animal symbolism. Some brides do
the wine giving in a separate attire before changing into the color the groom
is wearing.
The Hausa Wedding Attire
Hausa people are known for rich their cultures and
traditions especially in the way they conduct their weddings and dress their
brides. Aside the fabrics, they are known to adorn their brides with beautiful
traditional tattoos using what is called Lalli. Her art is done mostly on the
hands and feet.
The bride who is the center of attraction for the special
occasion is also not complete until her hands and legs are painted in flowery
designs with locally made darkening liquid fluid known as Henna.
Looking at the attire for the day, the bride ties a wrapper
called abiah made with a colorful cloth with a matching blouse and shawl.
She is also allowed to sew any other style she desires so
long as it does not expose her body parts. On the other hand, the Groom wears a
large flowing gown known as Babban riga and a robe called a jalabiya and
juanni.
Some men also wear colorful embroidered caps known as
fullah. For the Hausa Bride and Groom, modesty is the watchword.
Wedding Attire in Edo
Edo State of the South South Nigeria has from time
immemorial been a home to many ethnic groups, including Bini, Akoko-Edo and
Esan.
The Edo wedding attire is largely known to be one decorated
with lots of beads. The Edo wedding attire worn by brides during their
traditional wedding ceremony is so rich and regal.
They look like true African queens in their beaded coral
attires. The brides have their hair made into a unique hairstyle known as
Eto-Okuku.
Coral beads are then sewn into the hair or extensions in to
the form of a crown, called Okuku. Many brides buy wigs ready-made with the
hair and crown.
They also tie beautiful wrappers made from a variety of
fabrics including velvet, lace and George. Over the wrapper tied at their
waist, some Edo brides wear the Ewu-ivie, a beaded cape or blouse.
They also put on their necks with coral beads known as Ivie-uru
and wear the Ivie-obo on their hands. To complete the regal traditional Edo
wedding look, brides wear beaded earring.
The man had a loin cloth for ordinary wear and three pieces
sewn together known as igbu or male coverlet. This would give a total of four
pieces on the minimum of loin cloth needed by every male.
The Ijaw/ Kalabari Wedding
The Ijaw, Kalabari bridal attire is simply breathtaking!
They love to wear coral accessories, the crown and chunky coral beads.
The dressing of an Ijaw man will not be complete without the
bowler now better known as ‘resource control’ a hat and a walking stick.
Both men and women like to complement their very rich tunics
and expressive feather hats with expensive coral beads and gold.
We have several other traditions and marriage attires but I
think these are the most worn in Nigerian marriages. Marriages they say are
made in Heaven but celebrated here on earth.
In Nigeria, marriages are sacred and should be celebrated in
a more sacred manner which is the traditional way. This does not in any way
negate the efficacy of the white wedding.
So why not try some of these attires for your wedding?
Compiled by Chinedu
