In year 2006, I was saddled with the social responsibility of signing my good friend into marriage hood as his best man by virtue of my closeness to him. So after the usual introduction ceremony as traditionally required by African culture we preceded to the Registry somewhere in Ilorin, Kwara state, Nigeria. I remember that the first time we here, we concluded the registration process during which the officer in charge requested us to register with items such as biscuits, wine, minerals and physical cash. We were told that the ceremony itself would commence at the expiration of 21 days.
This time around we came for a different purpose. The ceremony proper which I was made to understand refers to “Court Marriage or wedding” was about to commence. This marriage being one of the ceremonies expectedly leading to perfectly man and woman union was set with other couples to be waiting as well.
There had been the introduction ceremony much earlier than this time, a major step to marriage, a situation that encourages both families to prepare ahead for the marriage itself.
I was also surprised to see aged couples already married and upon inquiry I was made to understand that the “Court wedding” ensures that marriages in Nigeria are cemented and with the certificate issued, Embassies waste no time in issuing visas in recognition of this kind of marriage. The inference here therefore gave me the understanding that majority of the couples around besides the young ones were doing so because they may have to travel out someday and only “Court Wedding can authoritatively certify their marriage.
Anyway, this very ceremony began about 9.22 in the Local Government premises Saturday, 2006.We were all called upon to move inside and in anxiety we did so hoping to see just it would go. Every couple to be went inside some with their Bridal train. Inside the hall we were arranged in such a way that couples to be sat in front with their guests sitting behind them. We soon took time out as we were carried away with the sight of gorgeously dressed guests. These Nigerians appeared in expensive lace materials, so costly that they can exchange with expensive cars.
Soon, the presiding officer was inside and we were told it was time for prayer, a kind of prayer any typical Nigerian will expect (Fire for fire) thereafter, there were choruses echoing all over the room. Everyone dancing, dancing so seriously that some of us almost forgot the reason we were there. When we wanted to take time out and take our rests, we were again introduced to worship songs, beautifully rendered in Igbo and Yoruba.
The presiding officer then took to the floor; again, beautifully delivering speech on the rules and regulations guiding “Court Marriage” We were amongst other rules told that “Court Marriage” forbids second marriage and would not take kindly to taking up another wife without divorcing the earlier wife. Next, was time for joining the couples, each man appeared with his wife, and standing behind them were the Best man and the Chief Brides maid. Every Bride wore her man his wedding ban, which we demonstrated with “In the name of the father, of the son, and of the Holy spirit. At this point in time, The Best man and Chief Bride’s maid were called upon to do the witnessing by signing in the register.
There was soon another prayer this time a short one and the registry ceremony came to an end.
