What's the purpose of the traditional wedding? Why was it instituted in the first place? What's its customary relevance? Does it stand a chance in modern Nigeria?
The traditional wedding is the joining of a man and a woman with the approval of both parents and elders of their respective clan according to the custom binding their respective ethnicity. The traditional marriage presents the platform for the payment of the "dowry" or "bride's price" which is another compulsory requirement for the traditional wedding to be consummated. The symbolic purpose of the traditional wedding implies that the family and elders of the groom recognizes that the bride was raised and nurtured in a family and as such certain honorary requirement are in order to show appreciation to the family she was raised.
In most ethnic groups in Sub-Saharan Africa, the traditional wedding is a "Compulsory Norm". Where the marriage is consummated at the church and registry level alone, such a couple is not recognized as husband and wife at their ethnic level, until they are joined by parents and elders of both families traditionally. On the flip side in cases of traditional divorce, some ethnic groups especially in the southern parts of Nigeria, the woman and her family is made to pay back the dowry paid to her family else she is not allowed to leave the marriage.
Often time's couples not married traditionally, asides not recognized as husband and wife, are not allowed to partake in other traditional rites like supposed parent In-law traditional funeral rites, or where they are blessed with children the husband cannot lay claims to them except he performs the customary traditional marriage rites.
Modern day has seen the emergence of very flamboyant and glamorous traditional wedding ceremonies. A lot of pomp, pageantry and fanfare is been incorporated to add glitz, glamour and electrifying excitement to the ceremony. The cuisine at traditional wedding are not left out, so many creative additions have been infused into the menu list not limiting the menu to traditional food alone but a wide variety of savoury selections.
It is my opinion that traditional weddings in Nigeria are going nowhere anytime soon. Do you think traditional weddings in Nigeria have lost their purpose?.........Share your thoughts!