MARAIGES

MARRIAGES

Marriage is a legal union between a man and woman mainly for company and procreation.

Igarra Marriages.

The most important tradition about Igarra marriages or even mere romantic feelings is that it is forbidden between a man and a woman of the same clan, thus the very first step of a man’s journey into intra marriage is an investigation into the clan of the intended spouse. Once it is discovered that both parties are of the same clan, the hope is immediately dashed and all romantic feelings prior to that moment killed. But if the findings reveal they’re of different clans, the fantasies can continue to grow until it consummates into marriage.

As practiced in the olden days it’s not customary or common practice for a man to approach a woman directly , rater the man finds a woman he admires and tells his parent who in turn access the lady if she is suitable for their son and goes ahead to woo her on behalf of their son, by first approaching the lady’s parents to disclose their intention and leave. The lady is informed by her parents and if she accepts, a formal day for introduction and Dowry payment is fixed this is called ‘ozizi use onee’ in Igarra (we are going to woo a wife) Eyi a na zuse Onee.

In Igarra custom there is no specific quantity and monetary value of gift items to be offered to the Bride’s family but on the average dowry list is limited to few tubers of yam, few litters of drinks and few yards of cloths. Likewise Bride price is currently a thousand naira (N1000) but was formally a hundred naira (N100). In some cases the bride family collects the bride price and refunds it as a gesture that Igarra custom doesn’t perceive marriage as a commercial transaction.

After the payment of Dowries, in most cases the groom family sends the bride family some tubers of yam and money to prepare soup. The yam tubers are made into big community size pounded yam and sent to the groom’s family where kinsmen and women gather to eat.

Traditional Marriage

In Igarra custom before the advent of the British, the main goal is to present the bride a virgin to the groom in the eyes of the public. The Bride is dressed in Eburu attire that covers her groins area to the topmost part of her thighs. Her breast is covered but her abdomen is exposed to showcase a non-yet sagging abdomen which may be due to any unwanted pregnancy. However with the advent of contraceptives and sexual immoralities this practice has been abandoned.

Also in the past the wedding night was to test the lady’s virginity. A white cloth is laid on the bed (ode) for the couple to sleep on. In the morning, the white cloth is retrieved by the elders of the family. A sanguine stain confirms virginity and chastity of the bride.

There is the ukwu onyi ova (mother inlaw greeting) The mother inlaw sends the young girls in the groom family to visit and thank all the uncles and aunties of the bride both paternal and maternal.