In Nigeria and in most African countries, marriage is treated with great respect and as such some cultures in Nigeria ensure that whoever comes to marry their daughters fulfill all the traditional rites to the latter. In most cases, these traditional rites can be termed as expensive cultures to marry from and so are dreaded.
Although the most expensive cultures to marry from in Nigeria is not restricted to just a geographic region or tribe in Nigeria, but of course the eastern part of Nigeria- the Igbo speaking region of Nigeria and also some states from the Southern part of Nigeria can be said to be some of the most expensive cultures to get a wife.
When we talk about the most expensive cultures to marry from in Nigeria, it refers to spending well over five hundred thousand naira to about three million or more to tick yes to all that is listed on the ‘traditional marriage list’ usually drawn by the community or kingsmen of the bride. One thing about these cultures (the most expensive cultures to marry from in Nigeria) is that the parents of the bride can hardly influence the list to favor their son–in-law to be.
These are the 10 most expensive cultures to marry from in Nigeria;

1. The Mbaise People of Imo State. The Mbaise people are found in Imo state part of Nigeria and they occupy three local government areas in Imo State (Aboh Mbaise, Ahiazu Mbaise and Ezinihitte Mbaise). The major cities of Mbaise people are Ezi na ihite, Ahiara. Agbaaja, Oke Uvuru. The Mbaise people are known for their quest for higher education, hence the large numbers of graduates and professionals amongst them. The Mbaise culture is amongst the most expensive cultures to marry from in Nigeria because of the numerous components that make up their traditional marriage list. As a matter of fact, the more educated the bride is, the more expensive the marriage list becomes.

2. The Ngwa People of Abia State. The Ngwa people are found in Abia state of Nigeria and they constitute the largest and most populous sub – ethnicity or clan in the whole of the south – eastern part of Nigeria. Any man who seeks to marry an Ngwa lady must be ready to fulfill all that is listed in the traditional marriage list. The culture of the Ngwa people is said to be amongst the most expensive cultures to marry from in Nigeria because of the many things the groom is expected to do for the bride’s family and for the entire community where the bride hails from.

3. The Nkpa People of Abia State. The Nkpa people of Abia state are found in Bende local government of Abia state. Marrying an Nkpa lady is truly expensive especially if you are not from Nkpa. The list for the traditional marriage rite is designed in such a way that it is cheaper for an Nkpa man that is getting married to an Nkpa lady; but if a man who is not from Nkpa is seeking for the hands of an Nkpa lady, he must be ready to organize a marriage ceremony that accommodates the entire community, and also must buy gifts not only for the parents of the bride, but also for all the kinsmen (Umu nna) and their daughters (Umu Ada). The truth is that by the time the groom is done fulfilling the list, he would have spent well over seven hundred thousand naira.

4. The Mbano People of Imo State. Mbano is a community that is located in the South eastern part of Nigeria and they are part of the Igbo people of Nigeria. Just like the Mbaise people of Imo State, the traditional marriage list of the Mbano people is said to be expensive. Although the groom must fulfill all that is listed in the marriage list, and in some cases, if the groom is wealthy, he might even be required to build a house for the bride’s parents as part of the marriage requirements.

5. The Ngwo People of Enugu State. Most of the people and culture in Enugu state seems to be very moderate when it comes to traditional marriage list for their daughters, but the Ngwo people tends to stand out of the pack. The Ngwo culture requires that any man that wants to marry their daughter must be willing to prove that he can take care of their daughter by first meeting their requirements which often is expensive. If you compare the traditional marriage list of the Ngwo people to other cultures in Enugu state, you come to the conclusion that indeed it is one of the most expensive cultures to marry from in Nigeria.

6. The Ikwere People of Rivers State. The Ikwere people are found in Rivers State and they are generally considered to be Igbo people because of the similarities in both their language and culture of the Igbo people. Just like the Mbaise people, when you sum up all that are required before you can take a bride from Ikwere land, you would realize that it is in excess of one million naira, hence it is amongst the most expensive cultures to marry from in Nigeria.

7. The Ogoja People of Cross Rivers State. The Ogoja people are found in Ogoja Local Government Area of Cross Rivers State. The major communities in Ogoja are Ekpogrinya,, Nwang,Esham, Nnang, Egbong, Ewinimba and Banasara. Marrying an Ogoja lady is expensive because of all that is required for the groom to fulfill before the bride can be handed over to him.

8. The Efik People of Cross Rivers State. The Efik people have a rich culture and marriage is not left out. Much more than meeting the expensive traditional marriage list, a groom is expected to organize a carnival like event for the traditional marriage especially if he is getting married to the daughter of an influential person in the town.

9. The Ibibio People of Akwa Ibom State. The Ibibio people are found in Akwa Ibom state and they are known to be hardworking people especially when it comes to the Agricultural sector.The requirements from any man who wants to take an Ibibio woman as a wife can be said to be expensive because of the numerous components that makes up the list.

10. The Annang People ofAkwa Ibom State. The Annang people are found in Akwa Ibom state and they are the second largest ethnic group in Akwa Ibom state. Any groom who intends taking a bride from the Annang people must be ready to meet fulfill the traditional marriage rites of the people and it is indeed expensive because of the loads of stuff and fees that the groom is expected buy and pay for.


There you have it 10 most expensive cultures to marry from in Nigeria. Whilst some who have found themselves the best brides in these places would pay come what may, yet others opt out as a result of the high bride list

Ok

Why are they all from east and south south part of Nigeria

good to know