marriage and family in Nigeria.

Marriages in Nigeria usually has 3 stages, the Introduction, engagement and the actual wedding which could be in the church, mosque or court .Nigeria has 3 main tribes the the Yoruba , Igbo and the Hausa and marriages in this tribes are almost the same but have some slight differences but all go through the same 3 stages for couple to be married.

INTRODUCTION

this is the part where the groom's and bride's families introduces themselves to one another and asking the bride's family for their daughter's hand in marriage to their son. the participants of the are the groom and his family, the Olopa Iduro (this translates to 'standing policeman') an appointed speaker by the groom's family, the name differs in the different tribes but this speaker speaks on behalf of the grooms family and it is manditory, then bride and her family , the Olopa Ijoko (this translates to 'sitting policeman'): an appointed speaker by the bride's family;the name also differs in differrent tribe and who also speaks for the bride's family and manditory as well, other families and friends.
The introduction takes place in the bride's house and her family is responsible for the preparations and cost of everything including refreshment, but the groom's family could volunteer to help with some of the cost if they can. Both parties wear traditional attires. So when the groom and his family arrive the are expected to kneels or prostrate for the bride's parents and family.
The groom's family and the bride's family sit on opposite sides of the room, with the bride and groom sitting closer to the center, and the olopa iduro and olopa ijoko sitting in the very middle. the olopa iduro introduces the groom and his family to the bride and her family.
He then brings a proposal letter from the groom's family, usually tied with a pink ribbon, and gives it to the groom's family, through the olopa ijoko.
The letter is read out, and responded to verbally on the spot. Since this is mostly a formality, and it is already known that the couple will marry, there usually is not much rejection at this point.
Then the groom and his family pays a drowry to the bride as a compensation for some of the cost to the bride's parents for raising her. this dowry or money is usually a very little amount, its show a sign of apprecaition for raising a wife for their son, the dowry is very important but the amount doesnt matter.
then i prayers and said for the couple by the bride's parents tot he couples and the groom's parents do the same the refreshment follows.