Hi friends, it’s good to be back again, I love my culture and am always glad to share it with you, Today I will be taking you on a journey, it’s going to be a long one but smooth and very interesting. My state, Akwa Ibom state is a lovely place, blessed, divinely decorated and beautiful in diversity.
Akwa Ibom
Akwa Ibom is one among the 36 states state in Nigeria, the state is privilege to be located within the coastal region in the south south part of the nation, currently we are blessed to have Uyo as our capital, one of the outstanding local government, amongst the 31 that we have, the state shares boundries on the east, with cross river state and on the west, River state and Abia state then on the south, the atlantic ocean. We share the same seasons across the nations, we are about 3.9million people, small in land mass but rich in natural resources ( Crude oil, Natural gas, limestone, gold, coal, salt and silver, but to mention a few. The state is known to be a uni-cultural state, were her ethics, morals, customs, taboos and traditions are the same all through the state, the culture has a bonding capacity that tends to bind people together especially with her Dressing, menus, dance, songs, rituals and beliefs, over the years the culture seems to attract investors and tourist too.
Our language
yes the state is multi-ethnic, comprises of Ibibio, Anang, Oron, Eket, Ibeno, mbo, obolo etc, ofcuase the Ibibio are the dominating factor, in terms of group size and others follow by the sequence of the arrangement above. These are groups of words in which their pronunciation and usage is being understood within the community.
Our Inheritance pattern
The inheritance structure of akwa ibom state, I will say is universal that means it could be by birth, marriage or registration, the pattern by birth cannot be manipulated, as long as one is born into that family, by default you are entitle to the full right as a family member and as the community member. That of marriage is functional only when the bride is married into the family or community from another tribe, family or community, when that happens the person shares full right without any contention. Unlike the registration pattern which is only made possible by legal documentation, after meeting the laid down procedures if he/she wants to become, before being granted and at any time the conditions are flouted, may loses the citizenship as granted.
Our Marriage Rites
The Akwa Ibom marriage rites is actually synonymous to other tribes in Nigeria, this are the things that the soon to be groom, will have to engage in doing to enhance the effective process starting from introduction.
introduction
All intended groom will start from what we know and call Introduction, he will go with his kinsmen to the very house of the soon to be bride but before now the man had already send information to the bride’s family and kinsmen, notifying them of when he will be coming so as to have them in attendance and of cause will not visit them empty handed because in our culture the younger persons does not visit an elder empty handed not to talk of your first visit and on delegate matters. He will have a meeting with the bride’s family likewise the brides kinsmen, this is when the man makes his marriage intentions known to the bride family and specifically mentioning her name, if the brides to be kinsmen accept the man to continue with his intentions, the kinsmen will tell him welcome and will reschedule another meeting for a proper traditional rudiment called “NKUNG UDOK”Nkung Udok
Nkung Udok by meaning is knocking of door. This is often ceremonial but on a low key, in this little ceremony is where and when the man is told about the bride price of the lady and the list of required items that he will have to present to the lady’s kinsmen, if the man and his kinsmen accept the demands, he will proceed to purchase the items or better still quantify the items in figure and present it to them but if the man’s kinsmen does not accept the demands, there is room for negotiation of the listed items, we call it “Ufangah mkpo” meaning list argument or negotiation. When this is done, the both party will agree on a later date for the presentation of the agreed items, after which the proceedings is made for the traditional marriage arrangement.
- the traditional Marriage proper
The traditional marriage day is always vibrantly colorful, the both parties are often cheerful-looking, and displays of dance troops, wonderful traditional reception, as well as other traditional activities will be showcased. The part I love most is what known and called “Udia Ibenge (welcoming meal)”.
Sources
this is the amazing display of all kinds of our traditional delegacies, it will be presented to the family and kinsmen of the groom and the ceremony will not continue until the in-laws are done eating the meal, you are hereby allowed to eat any of the dishes, as much as your strength can carry you.
Thanks so much for stopping by, stay safe and keep your faith alive.