History was made yesterday, 16 November 2024 when High Chief Benjamin Ekeremor, a businessman and philanthropist led his family to traditionally pay the dowry of his wife at the latter’s family home in Effurun, Delta State.
In a profound commitment to uphold age-long tradition, both families offered great value essential to the process that symbolises the union of the two families.
Rooted in tradition, the process commenced with entertainment
in line with the Ijaw culture of welcoming guests. The bride’s family as host, acted first warmly welcoming the groom’s people and getting acquainted with them, thereby setting the tone and atmosphere for the noble assembly. The groom’s people from Oporomor and Ogbulubiri Clans of Bayelsa and Delta States, wielding authority in Ijaw tradition, recompensed appropriately in a manner expressing communal experience.
The entertainment ritual, steeped in cultural history was a communal affair as both families, friends and well-wishers actively participated, presenting and receiving drink and kolanut wedged with money.
Stating their mission, the groom’s family spokesperson expressed that they’d embarked on a journey of love, joy, peace and hope to Ofunama Town in the great Egbema Kingdom in search of a wife. Hence, they have come to seek blessing to ask for the hand of a daughter of the Alexander Pikolo Mayan family in marriage.
With the bride’s family compound replete with members of both families, friends and close associates, a specified number of members of the groom’s family was invited after accepting their drinks and kolanut into the bride’s father’s house for the indoor ritual and most important business of the day- the dowry(bride price) payment.
With both families seated and ready to commence the significant phase of fulfilling the traditional rites, pleasantries were reduced and delegated voices was amplified.
The bride and groom families having presented spokespersons to speak on behalf of and communicate their ideas and demands, went into negotiation of the bride price with a view to reach an agreement in accordance with Ijaw marriage norms.
The bride price negotiation process was thorough and well handled with care and diplomacy, and both families expressed satisfied with the outcome.
The groom, Chief Benjamin Ekeremor, alive to the Ijaw traditional wedding culture, was keenly observing as the two spokesmen alongside elders and members of both families coordinated the traditional marriage rites.
Having fulfilled all the requirements on the marriage list, the bride and groom’s families spokespersons conclusively introduced members of both families again, as neither the groom nor anyone in the family is expected to address the gathering aside the spokespersons.
Progressively the bride’s mother was asked to get her, money to facilitate the movement (boat money) was provided. On appearance before the assembly, the bride Joy Dere Mayan was informed of the mission of the visitors and told they brought drinks to her father to seek her hand in marriage. She was asked if she recognized anyone in the grooms family. The bride was further asked to identify the person she knows and also state whether or not her father should accept all the drinks and kolanut they have presented.
The bride, nodding in affirmation indicating acceptance, moved towards the direction of her man, Chief Benjamin Ekeremor, held him by the hand and led him to her father and elders of her family. This was greeted with singing of traditional songs and dancing even as the grooms family joined their son to shower his bride with money in appreciation.
It is done! The elders of her family exclaimed as they felicitate the couple and the groom’s family.
Now kneeling before the father of the bride, for the consummation of the marriage according to Ijaw native laws and customs, the bride’s father blessed a glass of water and gave it to the groom who drank some and then passed it to his bride to drink. Then prayers were offered by both families for the success of the union….”This union is sealed in the name of Jesus, the father prayed.” The couple were asked to rise, the groom did first and was instructed to support his wife to also rise to her feet. The act shows the commitment of the groom to always support his wife. Again the groom and his family continued another money spraying spree on the bride in appreciation and expression of their joy.
ATTENTION: Dear Ijaws and history enthusiasts, here is a must have material for our empowerment
Finally, the long awaited moment. The groom holding the bride by the hand, walked out majestically from the father’s house ecstatic. The guests, comprising friends, associates and well-wishers who had patiently waited outside to receive the newly married couple, erupted in applause and shout of joy.
Refreshment was served and gifts presented to the couple.
The couple thereafter proceeded to the grand reception ceremony celebrating the success of their union in Effurun.
It is important to state that the dowry(bride price) payment holds deep symbolic meaning for both families in Ijaw tradition. For the bride’s family, it acknowledges their role in raising and caring for the bride. For the groom, it symbolizes his readiness to provide, protect, and love his future wife.
S
READ ALSO: Deworming Program: Joseph Evah’s Sponsored NAIFS Facilitated Outreach Deworm Gbaramatu Children
