Marriage ceremony is held in high esteem by Africans and Nigeria is not an exception. In fact, this union of man and woman cannot be complete or said to have taken place without any known kind of marriage ceremony preceding it. This occasion is known as traditional marriage or native marriage, or sometimes referred to as engagement by the Yoruba people of Nigeria.

In Nigeria’s local languages among which are the Ibos of the South-East, this very ceremony is called “Igbankwu nwanyi” a literary interpretation of this name may mean carrying of wine for wife. Amongst the people of Anioma in the South-West of the same country it is called “Igbe Iyawo” which means carrying of wife. The Anioma people of Delta State call it “Ibu ego” which means carrying of money.

All of these refer to the ceremony which a woman is given away to her husband. In Nigeria, today becoming legally married requires one to fulfill the following: introduction, going to the court registry, traditional marriage and church/mosque wedding. The union of man and woman in Nigeria compulsorily begins with “introduction” which is not a form of marriage but the path to marriage; this is the very first step which heralds marriage as an institution.

Introduction is a brief ceremony which does not involve too many people. Only the presence of a few people mostly the parents, friends and some of the relatives of the couple is required for the fulfillment of this. Food may not be prepared on this occasion but drinks are necessary. This prepares the minds of the couple to be for marriage. Any of one of the two couples may opt out of this union at any time freely as the ceremony is not marriage.

Next is traditional marriage which attracts large number of invitees and the nature of this ceremony may vary from place to place. But basically this involves trading and bargaining on the presentation of bride price and dowry being presented by the groom as issued to him in what is called “List”. On that day the wife is given out to her husband then followed with dancing, eating and drinking. This is most recognized aspect of marriage in Africa and may be complemented with either church or mosque wedding which though is not binding on the couple.