I had a beautiful day yesterday. It was my aunt’s introduction.
I have been pretty psyched about it since it is my first time witnessing a proper Nigerian introduction.
She, an Igbo woman, is getting married to a Yoruba man and this is the second Yoruba marriage on my mother’s side; the first being my parents.
The day started with a whole lot of cooking. We prepared Jollof rice with fried Chicken/Fish, Oha soup, Native soup with Semo/Eba, and Peppered Ponmo. Trust my mum, she was up by 5:00 am to cook the meals.
My Aunt got in with her man (Oh Lord! Am I a broom?) by 9 am to prepare for the introduction. The introduction was happening at my Uncle’s house as upon my grandfather’s death, he is the Okpara in our family.
He invited the oldest person in our extended family in Lagos and close family members to witness the occasion.
Something funny happened earlier that i would not like to leave out. My Aunty’s man was complaining about her lateness to activities. He even made a bet with her that she would be late to their wedding.
My other aunt laughed when she heard of it and said that they fit each other. mean, he’s an early riser and who is going to hurry her up to all activities except an early riser lol.
The Eldest (Okpara) in our family ran a little late so my Uncle beckoned on the eldest person present at that time to host the event.
It felt like fate as this Uncle is my grandfather’s first nephew and the first Njoku Grandson. While he hosted the event, he hosted with the familiar playful Njoku gimmicks which we knew very well.
He greeted the family of my soon-to-be Uncle and welcomed them with Kolanut as it is in the Igbo tradition.
Before offering it to them, he prayed a prayer which according to him, could only be prayed in Igbo.
In this prayer, he wished them good health, he prayed that whatever resources they use to make this happen would be replenished 10 fold.
After passing the Kolanut to the family member, he asked them to introduce themselves. They introduced every member of their family. His family came all the way from Ibadan and Abeokuta for the event.
My soon-to-be-uncle was so shy. It just made me laugh at how much they fit each other.
We, on the other hand, introduced ourselves, my father, their only Yoruba in-law, was also introduced along with us, and the products of a beautiful marriage. They introduced our uncles and cousins to the other family.
My Uncle then asked them to state their business.
A representative from their family introduced themselves and stated that they wanted to “pluck” a beautiful flower in our garden.
My Uncle then chuckled and asked which of them as they were many. He then pointed to my mom.
“Is this the one you were talking about?”
My Pops stood up immediately.
“Is it my wife you are talking about?” He said. “I don claim this one oh!”
Everybody laughed. They replied that they were looking for Chioma.
My Uncle Chikwendu asked where was, and suddenly, everybody started looking for Chioma oh!
I started hearing, ‘Maybe she went to the stream’ and ‘She went to buy something.’
After much “searching”, my Aunty Chioma came out in her beautiful green lace dress to meet the family. She was asked if she knew the man and she said Yes.
She was looking so beautiful, I wanted to cry.
She was then asked if she is satisfied and if we should continue with the plans.
She said Yes.
Then it was settled. They would meet with more members of the family for the final proceedings to set the date, make plans and discussion of bride price.
They presented fruits, bottles of beer, good liquor to the family.
We served them the famous “Ugba” for starters while we started taking orders. To add to the soups earlier mentioned, My Uncle’s wife prepared Egusi soup and abacha. To top it all, plenty of drinks were served.
His family brought from favourite beer brand, GUINNESS, so I had enough to my fill.
Everybody ate to their fill and we took pictures.
It was nice seeing an inter-tribal marriage introduction.
My Uncle mentioned that he is glad to have one more Yoruba in-law. He said that my father has always been a good in-law, they have never had a cause to say that Yoruba people are bad because he has set a good example for them. And now, when they mention their Yoruba in-law, they would now refer to two in-laws instead of one.
I feel that was really beautiful. The beauty of inter-tribal marriages, exploring and respecting each other’s tribe, beliefs and cultures.
His family shared and respected her family by presenting gifts to them and eating of the igbo delicacies.
