Traditional Weddings In Edo State, Nigeria
Hello Hive World.
On one of my early posts, I wrote a little about my traditional wedding and interestingly, a hive user asked,
I am curious about the beads and head dress though. Do these items have specific meaning?
This question prompted me to write this post and share with you our traditional weddings culture and the significance of the beaded bridal wear.
In Edo culture, and from long ago, wearing beads symbolize royalty, authority and wealth. These beads are of different types and styles. The very deep red coral beads are the most valued among other beads and worn by people in authority like the Oba or a person bestowed with a chieftaincy title.
These highly placed people wear their beads around the neck or wrist and for the female, they wear it around their hair. It is our belief that those beads worn by leaders and chiefs have amulet powers to ward off danger and protect them against spells.
Also, the use of red coral beads is synonymous with marriage because long ago, when royalty (king or prince) sends a coral bead to a young lady, it becomes a marriage proposal which she must accept. This is one of the reasons our brides adorn themselves with these beautiful beads.
In Edo state and parts of south/mid-western Nigeria, our brides are well known for intricate and colourful bridal dressing for the occasion of traditional weddings. Please note that it is common to have two to four wedding celebrations in Nigeria. When I was to get married, I had two - the traditional wedding and church (white) wedding.
Our traditional wedding involves the culture of either or both bride and groom and it's usually fun. In Edo State it is customary to beautify our brides with elaborate and colourful beaded bridal wears.
The bridal wear usually consists of the head gear (crown) called okuku which is sometimes sewn into the hair, small cape called ewu-ivie, necklaces called ivie-uru, wrist beads called ivie-ebo, earrings called emi-ehorivie, and handbag called ekpa-ivie. Some brides go all out to make beaded shoes or slippers. It's a thing of pride and beauty.
The groom also has his own beads to put on but it's simply a necklace and wrist beads.
These beaded wears are adornments and worn on fabrics called "George". It could be velvet or lace George. I had always admired other brides and when it was my turn, I took special care to get quality beaded wear.
For my traditional wedding, I chose two different George fabrics and adorned myself with the beads. Do your brides have special dressing in your culture?
Thanks for reading.
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Nice pictures, I love wedding celebrations it brings joy to the family and everyone affiliated to them.
Thank you for taking us into the world of the Edo wedding attires and there meanings.
😃 I love weddings too and enjoyed mine even though I was stressed before the day.
Thank you for reading my post. I do appreciate it!
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Great post and very interesting I had never known any of that. It's great that you two were able to have two days to celebrate your wedding!
Thank you @killerwot for your nice comment. 😃
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Always great to see other cultures different from my own. That's what I love about HIVE.
Right? Some many cultures on the face of the earth. I don't we can discover them all. 😃 Thanks for your comment.
I love cultures especially when applied during marriage ceremonies. You look beautiful dear.
Beautiful wedding dress, I always love the Edo bridal dress compare to ours from the eastern part of Nigeria.
Really? 😃 Thank you but eastern bridal dressing are lovely too. Just different. Thank you for reading my post.
Wow, how well detailed your publication is. You were a very pretty bride, and now a beautiful wife. Thank you for sharing those details of your culture and thank you to that reader because he left that concern through which you could let us know those important aspects. It is quite a big task, not only in the bride's attire. Especially the work of the beads, so many are used. But tell me something @ladytitan. do the brides themselves weave their beads, is it part of the tradition, thanks for your post it was fascinating 🌺.
Hi @marbrym. Thank you for your sweet comment. No, the brides do not make the beads unless the bride is skilled in bead making and has the time.
Truly it's a lot of work making these beads and one must commend the craftsmen and women who do this work. I had interest in learning to make these beads when I was a teenager but life got in the way. 😃
Great job by the artisans, they make an excellent and nice arrangement for both the bride and groom. They both looked great. Congratulations😘
Hello @ladytitan, it's so nice to gain more insight about this and I'm sure that many people would appreciate it especially those that are curious to know more about Nigerians and our culture
I have attended many traditional marriage ceremonies. Beads are always among the accessories that both the bride and the groom wear on their special day
Hi, hi @kenechukwu97. Thank you for reading my post. When the question was asked, I saw it as an opportunity to educate others about our culture.
It's the norm to wear beads in traditional weddings and it always looks lovely on the bride. 😃
Very good post friend and very nice photographs, I liked them very much, thank you very much for sharing with us 💯❣️🌹
Hi Carlitazulay. Thank you for reading my post. I do appreciate it! 😃