The Igbo tribe in Nigeria pride themselves as people whose cultural standards are very high. A typical Igbo person is said to be very industrious and hard-working. The average person is assumed to be sophisticated and hates to do things in half measures.
Igbo ladies are one of the most beautiful ladies in Nigeria. Therefore, a lot is expected of any man opting to take one as a bride.
The Igbo lady being well-trained, industrious, beautiful as well as accommodating. These are the contributing factors to why their bride price is one of if not the highest in Nigeria.
The bride price practice of giving out a long and detailed list has been in existence for a very long time. This practice is perhaps a direct message to a potential suitor about the importance attached to a female child in Igbo land.
The contents of this kind of list have been said to discourage a couple of men from marrying their Igbo brides.
However, the Igbo traditional engagement list for marriage might not be as overwhelming or expensive as other parts of Nigeria tend to make it. Below, you will get to know the items that make up the customary Igbo traditional marriage and bride price list (or dowry).
For many grooms planning a marriage introduction, they are stressed because they want to save up or budget for the engagement list but they don’t yet know the items on the list.
Also, most men are scared to formally request for it (the list) without first getting an idea or ‘expo’ of how much they can spend on their Igbo traditional engagement list for fear that it may be beyond them (cost-wise). Here is what the Igbo bride price list entails:
Father’s part
The father of the girl has his own part in the list that must be fulfilled. These items must be bought according to how they appear on the list.
– Walking stick
– Traditional cap
– Native dress that has been sewn
– Pair of shoes
– N20,000 to N30,000 cash depending on the family
Mother’s part
The bride’s mother also has items to be bought for her on the list. These include:
– 1 big basin
– 1 big covered basin
– 1 George wrapper
– 2 Abada (Ordinary wrapper popularly called Hollandis)
– 3 blouses which have been sewn
– A set of earrings and necklace
– Wristwatch
– Handbag
– 3 big head ties
– Pair of shoes
– 20 tubers of yam
– 2 big stock fishes
– 1 bag of rice
– 1 bag of salt
– Carton of tin tomatoes
– 20 litres of Tin groundnut oil
– N2,000 to N5,000 cash
Umunna (men)
After settling the list for the father and mother, next you get to the list for Umunna. Their list also contains items that must be bought and presented to them before the marriage rites are approved.
– Head of tobacco
– A roll of cigarette
– Potash
– 20 gallons of palm wine
– 4 cartons of beer
– 4 cartons of Maltina
– 6 bottles of Hot drink
– Goat
– N10,000 cash
Umuada (women)
The women’s group is not left out. They have their own list which must be fulfilled.
– 20 tubers of yam
– 1 tin of 20 litres kerosene
– 1 bag of salt
– 1 carton of bar soap
– 1 carton of Lux soap
– 4 big containers of talcum powder
– N10,000 cash
Some of the above listed items can be monetized by the groom in agreement with the girl’s family to make it convenient for them in cases where the location of the ceremony is a bit far.
After settling the father, mother, Umunna (men) and Umuada (women), the next and crucial stage is the payment of dowry which is regarded as bride price.
This is not done outside but inside the room. The man and two members of his family will go inside to meet his father-in-law and discuss the bride price (dowry).
Would you be willing to spend this much to marry an Igbo girl?
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