Wedding

First Timer? Here’s What To Expect At A Typical Igbo Traditional Wedding

By OD9JASTYLES

Posted on December 24, 2018

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Igbo weddings are always grand, especially during the Christmas ‘season’. There are a lot of cultural displays that may seem alien to you if you are not from that part of the world. Sometimes, it can be overwhelming, especially if you don’t know what to expect.

Let’s tell you what to expect if you’ve been invited to an Igbo traditional wedding:

Hospitality

(Photo: Lifestyle)

You’re sure to receive special treatment when you come around. Igbo people are very hospitable to their guests, so don’t be surprised if your hosts fuss over you.

Music and dancing

There’s a lot of music and dancing in every Igbo traditional ceremony, and weddings are a special occasion. There is dancing by the couple, their guests and relatives and maybe even traditional dancers at the wedding.

Several uniforms

Guests at Igbo weddings usually wear the same fabrics and styles, and several groups might wear different outfits to match. Everybody wants to represent (and so should you).

Show of wealth

Igbo people are very enterprising, and so they like to show off their wealth. Expect sprays of money in different currencies, lavish gifts and praise names for very wealthy guests.

Palm wine and drinks

Palm wine and other kinds of booze will flow freely, so if you’re a drinker you’ll surely have a great time at the wedding.

Food

(Photo: Obi Nwokedi Photographers)

No Igbo ceremony is complete without lots of food of different types. There will be rice, a variety of soups, peppersoup, abacha, even small chops. Your hosts will feed you till you burst.

What’s not to love, really? Enjoy yourself!

Before you attend that wedding, here’s how to pack if you’re travelling to a Nigerian wedding.