A Tradition That Means a Lot to Me as a Yoruba Girl

Nigeria is blessed with many tribes, cultures, and traditions, each one is unique in its own way. As a Yoruba girl, particularly from the Ijebu tribe in Ogun State, I take pride in the traditions of my people. The Ijebus are known for so many traditions, there are festivals such as Egungun, Masquerade, Agemo, Sango, Oya, Oro, marriage traditions, and many others. The festivals are in different categories, such as the Agemo, which is celebrated to honour the Agemo deity of the land. Another one is the Egungun(masquerade) festival, a masquerade dance with different costumes to celebrate the gods of the land. Ojude Oba Festival is another powerful festival; it is a grand cultural celebration held after the Eid al-Adha (Eid-el-Kabir) by Muslims, where indigenes of Ijebu gather in colorful attire to pay homage to the king of Ijebu land.  But among all these traditions, the one that means the most to me is the marriage tradition. It is not just a ceremony; it is a cultural journey that takes place step by step, and each stage is filled with meaning. This is where you can see me dancing, jubilating, rocking the occasion because I love partying 😳 The process starts with introducing your spouse to your parents. That moment alone is so significant; the first-ever blessing is released on both of you. It’s not just about two people, but about two families beginning to connect. After this, the parents get involved, and when they give their approval, they set a date for the introduction ceremony. The introduction is special. When I had mine in 2014, I couldn't stop blushing for joy😊 This is where the union is established, and the engagement list is handed over to the groom’s family. This list contains everything the husband’s family is expected to bring for the engagement ceremony full without removing a penny from it. But what I cherish most is returning the dowry to the groom's parents, that we are not selling our daughter. It may seem like a formality to some, but for us, it’s part of the respect, honor, and seriousness that comes with marriage. Once that is done, the families agree on a date for the traditional marriage. That day is always colorful, filled with songs, dances, laughter, prayers, and blessings. For me, what stands out the most is how it brings everyone together. It’s not just about the bride and groom; it’s about community, heritage, and the beauty of Yoruba culture. We are dressed in Iro and Buba aso ofi receiving the blessings of both parents. This tradition is dear to me because it reminds me of who I am and where I come from. It is about respect, family values, and keeping our roots alive. Even though times are changing, this is one tradition that continues to hold its place in our hearts as Yoruba people. **We are rich in different cultures and traditions but my priority is the marital traditions.** The image is mine. Thank you for reading 🥰