The Ijaws are one of the major ethnic groups in Nigeria. They have a large population criss crossing the South-South and the South- Western parts of the country.

Though the Niger Delta appears to be their major abode, the Ijaws are said to be among the early inhabitants of Lagos, Ondo, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers and Bayelsa states, with the latter been the only homogenous Ijaw nation because of their near uniformity in language.

They are said to be the fourth largest ethnic group in the country. Also known as the Izon, Ijaws are a collection of peoples residing mostly in the forest regions of the Niger River Delta in
Nigeria, and numbering several million individuals.

A famous educationist and researcher, Chief Gabriel Aramiakeleni Eshofonie, in his book, the ‘Arogbo Ijaws of Nigeria,
said the ‘Ijaws are the aborigines of the Niger Delta East and West.
“They occupy the stretch of territory extending from the Western border of the Ibibio of Akwa Ibom State to the Apoi Ijo territory in Ondo State, which
marks the end of the western spread of the people,” he said.
As it is with other tribes of Nigeria and elsewhere the world over, the Ijaws have, over the years, splitted into several clans or Ibe’s as they are sometime called. Some of the Ijaw Ibes are Beni Ibe, Tarakiri Ibe, Mein Ibe, Operemo Ibe, Gbaramatu Ibe, Seibiri Ibe and Arogbo Ijaw Ibe Others are: Nembe Ibe, Okrika
Ibe, Kalabari Ibe, Egbema Ibe among others, with fishing as the major occupation of the people, which underscores why they are
predominantly found in the coastal areas.

In Rivers State for example Okrika, Ogu/ Bolo, Degeme, Bonny, Opobo, Andoni, Asari Toru and Akoku/Toru Local Government Areas are classified as Ijaws.


Marriage is one aspect of the
peoples’ tradition that shows the rich culture of the people.

Marriage has been defined as the legal union of a man and a woman as husband and wife. The approaches to marriage differ from place to place, depending on the part of the Ijaws, but the principles and mainly the same.

As the Bible puts it, “He that finds a wife, finds a good thing and obtains favour from God.” It is usually a thing of joy for a parent to betroth their daughter to a
young man in another family, off course only when the parents have consented to the request of the young man; even as the cordial relationship of two distinct
families will and supposedly so, further cemented by the process.
Some slight differences exist here and there in the marriage process, but generally the following are the basic procedure in Ijaw:

Biyanwuru:
This is a bottle of gin presented to the father by intermediaries before the start of negotiation of the marriage.

Egberigba Wuru:
This is the bottle of gin and a specified sum of money presented to the father or the spokesman to introduce the elopement of his daughter with a husband. Usually the intermediaries are given time to return at a later date for
feedback (response) by the father.

Bibirin okuba:
This is another bottle of gin and a sum of money for the father’s approval of the marriage.

Shihikunmo:
One bottle of gin and a said amount usually token which is offered to formally inform the father-in-law’s family and request them to remain at home on
an appointed date for the payment of the bridal price.

Wari benite:
This is interpreted to mean the family is now assembled for the bridal negotiation.

Wo fiyete:
This means to open the negotiation offer of one bottle of drink (usually alcoholic liquor) and yet another token.

Fhitibi:
This is interpreted to mean the actual bride price, usually accompanied with five or six bottles of gin.

Yinghin okhuba:
This is a certain amount given to the mother-in-law (mother of the bride).

Uguni Kamain:
This means entertainment of the
strangers. Here the couple and the
groom’s family on visit to the father-in- law are fed lavishly and presented with a bottle of drink.
At this stage the couple are presented formally to members of the public present at the event, leading to the usual dance to traditional music, even as the
public will be treated to some Ijaw delicasies.

Wo seriite:
This is means that at the end of it all, the visitors present a bottle of gin and seek permission to leave and depart afterwards with the bride.
If the marriage was in the village, the groom is expected to go and pay homage or greet members of the bride’s family, along with his heartthrob from a
list which will be given to him by his father-in-law. This process is to
familiarise himself with his wife’s family. Suffice it to say once these procedures have been completed, the couple are officially man and wife as tradition demands. However, if they decide to go
further to solemnized their marriage in church by way of holy matrimony, it is entirely up to them, because it is their wish.

This lovely! I fit come marry GEJ daugther when She's of age!

All i reas here is alcohol alxohol alxojol

175:
This lovely! I fit come marry GEJ daugther when She's of age!

if u so wish

I see "GIN" all over the original post