A MEETING OF CULTURES AS OJOMA JOINS BANKOLE IN A HIGH PROFILE TRADITIONAL WEDDING.

 Report by Ono Yima.

It was indeed a meeting of cultures as former Miss Ojoma George, of Ochikala, Ofu Local Government Area, of Kogi State, North Central, Nigeria, and Patrick Bankole Arinola, of Ondo, Ondo East Local Government Area, Ondo State, South West, Nigeria, came together with their families and friends to celebrate their traditional marriage.

Mr. Ali Elias (Representing Bride's Father) & Mrs. Victoria George
 (Bride's Mum) with other family members being ushered in to the Hall

The event took place on 27th October at Eco Event Centre, Egbeda, Alimosho Local Government Area, Lagos State, Nigeria.

Miss Esther George Reading the Proposal Acceptance letter 

At exactly 2:30 p.m. the Alaga (The Lovers Alaga), the traditional MC, ushered in, first, the bride. She was accompanied by her family members and friends in step with the traditional tune that was playing to the delight of the attendees who were already seated in the hall.

The Bride with her Sister

After settling down the bride had to go out and change into another dress and come back with her friends, this time, to greet family members from both sides.

The Bride

Following this second entry she left again, and come back, for the third time after changing her dress. The three times and changing of dress is according to Igala traditional marriage practice.

Groom Flanked by Mr. Ali Elias & Mrs. Victoria George

On this third round, Rareview learnt, she was supposed to come in and await oral proposal of marriage from the groom’s side to her family, according o Igala tradition.  Following, she would go and sit at their side or refuse to go, indicating acceptance or decline of their proposal.

However at this point the Yoruba cultural marriage practice was infused and instead of an oral proposal a written proposal was presented by the groom’s family and read out aloud before everyone. The bride’s family, in response, followed suit with a written acceptance of the Proposal and, likewise, read it aloud before the whole house.

Bride with Groom's Family

With the Marriage Proposal and Marriage Acceptance done, it became the turn of the family of the Groom to present the compulsory traditional items they came with to the Bride’s family. This includes items like yam, rice, oil, fruits, etc.

Groom's Father & Wife (Sitting) with Family members

It was learnt that the bride price has been agreed on prior to this time, and paid for, and means of payment arranged, as a condition, before the handover is done.

(L-R) Mr. Ali Elias, Mrs. Victoria George (Bride's Mum), Alad Abutu, Helen George, & Grace George

Having fulfilled all the conditions by both sides the final rite was the handover of the bride by the Bride’s father, Mr George Abutu, to the Groom's father, Hon. Bankole Arinola.

Groom and Friends Prostrating flat before Bride's Family

During the handover, the groom's father and his family were reminded of what was expected of them, which is their duty of care to the Bride. This, the Groom's father acknowledged, promising to do so adequately. With that the Bride was handed over to him by Mr. Ali Elias, a cousin to the Bride’s father, who could not be physically present at the occasion because he is indisposed.

Groom Prostrating before His Family

Amid the euphoria which followed the successful handover that concludes the rite of marriage, came the refreshment, music and dancing. The mood was joyous, the air electric.

The Handover of the Bride

This atmosphere continued till the end of the event. 

Groom & Friends

It was, indeed, a day that would imprint fond memories for a very long time on both families, as well as those that graced the occasion. And for the celebrants, surely, a lifetime.

The White Wedding would come up the next day.