marriage and family in nigeria

cont....

the second stage is the

ENGAGEMENT

Sometimes the engagement takes place right after the introduction. In Nigeria after the engagement the couple are seen as married but at times might have to register themselves legally. The engagement ceremony also takes place at the bride's house, and her family is once again responsible for that. the couple dresses in traditionally attire and this differs depending on the tribe because every tribe in Nigeria has a specific attire they are known for. The couple usually gives each other a Bible or Quran, give each other rings, and they may say some words to each other.
The bride usually has her face covered during the ceremony. When the ceremony is over, and everyone goes 'outside' to eat, she waits indoors until she is called out . Then she comes out usually with a friend, still with her face covered, and kneels before her parents so that they may pray for her she then kneels before the groom's parents so that they may pray for her Then she sits by the groom, and this is when she is unveiled, as she sits to eat with everybody.
After the couple is married, they go to the groom's house,The custom is that the bride should arrive at his home before he does, and that she must wash her legs before entering, and be there to meet him when he arrives and this is usually when she changes her last name to that of her husband's.

Some other customs that takes places in some other cultures in Nigeria.
The bride-to-be will kept in a 'fattening room' for a period of time, where she was well fed, and taught how to be a good wife. She would usually come out of the room fatter than before during this process she would 'cleansed' by taking a special bath before going to her husband.

In some cases rather than bringing out the real bride at the engagement party, another woman may come out disguised as the bride to see if the groom is able to tell the difference.