Perhaps, the Igbo traditional wedding was best dramatized in the popular "Ada Ada" video and song by popular Igbo musician, Flavour.

The music video captured the very essence of the Igbo traditional marriage ceremony, an occasion filled with splendour, drama and cultural display. It is also generally known as "Igba Nkwu."

Igba Nkwu Nwanyi (wine carrying), Ibu Nkwu Nwanyi or Ihe Nrisa as it is called in some parts of Abia state, is the climax of marriage in Igbo culture. It is the traditional wedding ceremony.

On the day of the occasion, kindred, families, friends as well as well-wishers, would officially know that the girl has been given out in marriage; It is on that day people officially know the husband of the groom. The same day, the bride is officially handed over to her husband. It is equally on that day that the two become husband and wife traditionally. Her colleagues who are yet to get married, would assemble with their music to entertain and to send her off.

First, the beautiful bride will be placed in a room -- dressed and adorned in her traditional attire with her maidens. No man will be allowed to enter the room without paying. It is always so much fun during this traditional interplay as the groom with his friends and relatives dialogue with her handmaidens that are stationed outside the room for a fee so as to be allowed to enter and pay homage to the bride.

Finally, the groom will be allowed a short visit and then leave to await his bride. The climax of the traditional wedding ( Igba Nkwu Nwanyi) ceremony is when the bride goes in search of her prince. During her search, different men present at the ceremony will vie for her attention, calling out to her to give the cup of wine to them.

When she finally finds her beloved, she presents him with a glass of wine, which is a token of her love. He in turn accepts and drinks the wine to signify that he accepts her love too.

The couple will then dance to meet the bride's father with the wine cup filed with wads of naira. They would then kneel and be prayed for. After this, the party continues with a lot of Naira rain. There would be lots of entertainment.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtjH71_bz7I

Great summary! I especially like the Ada, Ada video because it shows the seriousness behind the meanings of the Igba Nkwu wedding traditions. The groom in the video did not even drink from the cup!