Deep in the heart of Southern Kaduna, an area famous for the Nok Terra-Cotta figurines, are a very unique and industrious set of people called the Atyap. Mainly found in Zangon-Kataf Local Government Area, and parts of Kaura and Kauru Local Government Areas, all in Kaduna State.

The Atyap derive their name from their language, Tyap, a descriptive name meaning “the people who speak Tyap”.

Alot of people especially from the southern parts of nigeria are of the erroneous notion that kaduna is only hausa - fulani. There are other languages in kaduna which they are oblivious to.

Basically the Atyap traditional marriage in the olden days is classified into two:

1. The primary wedding known
as "Nyeang Alala" and

2. The secondary wedding known as "the khap Ndi"

The primary marriage started from birth when a baby girl is born within the niegborhood, parent of a boy who is yet to book down a wife will come with a necklace or ring with d consent of her parents and put it on the girls finger or neck signifying that she has been engaged/bethroted and the wedding dowry is paid immediately.

In the olden days the amout of money paid is about 2000 cowries when she is 7 years old.

In the secondary marriage that is the
"Khap Ndi" it commences when a boy is at the age of 10 years, he is said to undergoe compulsory farming labour for his future inlaws once a year for 9 years.

During dry season he is expected to supply about 12 bundles of grass for his inlaws
every year for these period of 9 years.

Men who do not partake in this process are not allowed to marry in Atyap but can however
marry a devorcee of whom this process is not that necessary.

These were the requirement as far as the Atyap tradition is concern in
the olden days.

As of today things have changed a bit and the following items are brought as bride price according to the Atyap tradition:

1. A black goat for the
girls mother.

2. Sum of 40,000 or more pending on how d girls family arranged and this money is given to the girl's father who will share
it to every male relative and keep part to himself.

3. A total of three fowls to the girls father and a sum of 10,000 for her grand father.

4. Bags of salt which is given to the girls mother and is shared to every woman within the family clan.

5. Male colanuts and crates
of wine or drinks ( not always).

6. Local beans is also required other valuables items can be added according to the clan or family the lady is
coming from but as far as tradition is concerned these are the necessary items required during bride price in Atyap.

After these are done a wedding date is fixed immediately with a feast.

Cc
Nlfpmod myndd44 Dominique Seun

This post needs attention

Unfortunately most nairalander are from lagos and down south.

So this thread might seem irrelevant to them.
The north is not ably represented in nairaland which is not fair.