Igbo Traditional wedding guide

Culled from Sugar weddings

The first one is called the 'Iku Aka' or 'Knocking on the door' where the groom and members of his family (uncles and brothers) come to tell the family of the bride of his intention to marry their daughter. The mother and father of the bride each get a keg of palmwine (ngwo) and one or more for the father's Umunna (brothers, cousins, etc)

The second ceremony, referred to as the 'Igba Nkwu Nwanyi/izu okwu' (wine carrying ceremony) is the actual wedding. The groom is supposed to assist his in-laws-to-be with the planning of this ceremony so he can provide Assorted drinks, a cow, bags of rice and ingredients for cooking.

When they arrive, the groom and few family members join the father of the bride in private and discuss the 'ima ego' or dowry. Once this is done and accepted, the bride dances out for the first time. Accompanied by her friends  in her native attire of 2 separate pieces of George wrapper (one for her waist and the other for her bust) she goes to greet her mother's people and goes back inside. Her second outfit is white blouse and George or damask or brocade which she uses to greet her father's people and she goes back inside. The third outing is usually in material similar to the grooms, this time, she is handed a cup of wine and told to find her husband and give it to him to drink. When she finds him, she kneels to give him the horn and waits for him to finish. Sometimes, the groom might lift his bride up and give the rest of the wine. This usually indicates he understands she is his help mate and is accompanied by much cheering. The couple then kneel before the parents for prayers and blessings. Then the party really begins.

Though the entire process could differ from family to family and village to village, the list could include:

16 gallons of Ngwo

4 gallons of Nkwu

4 crates of Mineral

4 crates of Beer

2 bottle of Snuff

4 packets of Cigarette

2 leaves of Tobacco

2 lumps of Potash (Akanwu)

Bales of cloth for the Father, Mother, siblings, uncles, aunties, etc.

He may also be required to perform a third ceremony called 'Ndi Ochie' which is recognition of all the married women in the family. He does this by giving them a bag of salt and a crate of mineral. If the groom is from outside the village, he must give to the girls mother:

1 carton of bar soap

2 crates of malt

2 bags of salt

N2000 cash

Cooked rice with big pieces of meat

Orji (kola-nut) and 'oku ose' (kola-nut paste). 

Alternatively, the groom can just give cash for everything and his in-laws will make them available.

*** This guide is based on the Umunze people of Orumba South LGA in Anambra state. ***

Sugar weddings

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RIP Nelson Mandela

One of the great honors of my life was to be invited to Nelson Mandela's home, spend private time and get to know him. He was everything you've ever heard and more – humble and unscathed by bitterness. And he always loved to tell a good joke. Being in his presence was like sitting with grace and majesty at the same time.

He will always be my hero. His life was a gift to us all.- Oprah Winfrey

My heart is breaking with everybody in the world, yet I'm feeling so humbled and blessed to have been in the presence of this magnificent soul..arguably the greatest hero ever to grace us. His sacrifice & gift to the world are incomprehensible. RIP Mandela - Mariah Carey

What is Life! An existence for Living! ‪#‎Mandela‬ you are a ‪#‎Hero‬ not because they chant your name but because you truly understood this. You stood up when it was not fashionable to. You endured the ‪#‎Hate‬ the ‪#‎Taunts‬ ... You saw the essence... You saw humanity, you saw freedom... You loved Life for all... Even if it would cost yours! You conquered . You are Mandiba, THE TRUE HUMAN LIFE. Adio! Thank you Lord for this GIFT. - Omotola Jalade Ekeinde


R.I.P. Nelson Mandela...may your principles of love be the guiding light for future generations.
 - Kim Kardashian

"Let us pause and give thanks for the fact that Nelson Mandela lived—a man who took history in his hands and bent the arc of the moral universe toward justice." —President Obama


 

Tips on how to become a top model 3

This post is part of a series written by a guest blogger, do visit their blog  andise globals

• Body Parts Models

An area not usually thought about for newcomers, but it is a very relevant sector of the industry. The most common body parts tend to be hair, eyes, lips, hands, legs and feet, which are used to promote many products in print and TV.You will need to have exceptionally well proportioned body parts and know how to
look after them. This is definitely an area within modeling that’s worth considering as it can prove to be surprisingly profitable.

• TV Commercials

Modeling in TV commercials does not have any overall criteria for height, size and age, as each commercial requires someone different and specific to that job. It is usually necessary to have some acting ability, but this can be natural ability or learned. There are many different types of TV commercials, ranging from the highly stylized photographic, to the performance led reality style. The great advantage in TV commercials for a
model is that brands are continuously seeking models, which the general public can easily identify with. This opens up the doors to almost everyone, who feels that they have what it takes to work in this sector. Typically those represented by a model or actors agency have a better chance of appearing in TV commercials.

• Real Life Models (People Models) and TV/Film Extras

If you like the idea of modeling, but do not fit into the above categories, then this could be for you. Real life models are used in advertising or corporate campaigns, when companies are looking to represent the everyday person. As a TV/Film Extra you will generally be non-featured (no speaking parts) and in the
background of a scene. This can be fun and interesting to be part of, but it can also be long hours with lots of waiting around. The benefits are that if you are flexible with your days, it can be a good way to supplement your income.


 

Stop domestic violence

Sorry about my prolonged absence from my blog. Its a really long story. While I was on sabbatical something happened that changed me. A very good friend of mine was abused by her husband and he almost killed her. This experience brought close to home grave injustice that is called domestic violence. I was so flipping mad when it happened that I put her husband on blast by plastering his number all over the Internet and encouraged people to tell him not to kill his wife.

This terrifying made me open my eyes and ears to this menace of domestic abuse. Dubbed the 'indoor killer', its experienced by so many people of all races ,all over the world. People lend your voice to this crime against humanity .Don't let the victim become a corpse , because it could be your sister, mother, daughter, best friend, cousin or even you, yes you!

If you are in Lagos, Nigeria you can contact
The office of the public defender
2/8 Iyun road,
Barrack bus stop,
Surulere

130 Ikorodu road
Lagos
Their services are 100% free

Also you can get in touch with

Project Alert ( An ngo on violence against women)

21, Akinsanya street,
Off Isheri road,
Taiwo street,
(behind FRSC)
Ojodu berger Lagos
234-1-8209387, 08052004698, 08180091072

If you are in Abuja, you can also reach project alert at

26, Bamenda street,
Off Abidjan street,
Wuse zone 3
244-8708618

projectalert@projectalertnig.org