All over the World, marriages are the most celebrated events in every family. In Igbo Nation, marriages are the most important test of a man’s integrity, wisdom, maturity and economic well being. Also, it is a barometer to gauge a female’s upbringing, humility and morality because Ndigbo do not believe that attractive physical beauty alone should be the single yardstick for a female to be married. According to them, beauty resides in the heart and popularly expressed as "nma di n'obi" and/or "ugwu nwanyi bụ di"- marriage is a lady's pride".
Ndigbo, vehemently believe that all attributes centered around sound moral character are the requisite ingredients for a worthwhile marriage. Consequently, a female who possesses attractive physical beauty laced with noticeable and tested moral probity over time becomes a hot marital magnet and asset for the entire community.
That explains why traditional Igbo marriages are serious business because the entire community is involved before any marriage takes place. When a man is ready to marry an Igbo woman, his immediate family takes part in search of a “near perfect fit” for the family. The would-be groom is prepared by his entire family to brace for overwhelming navigation of the marriage terrain spiked with ceremonial intrigues, stages and processes. These include thorough research and investigations on family background of both families. The intensity of the background research tends to be higher for highly educated beautiful ladies from far away Igbo cultures outside the man’s immediate locale.
Typically, there are many main stages and processes in traditional Igbo marriages in Igbo land. On Saturday, March 27, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia, Dr. Nkasiobi Ifeadike of Abagana in Anambra State, Nigeria and US Navy Airman, Mazi Ogbonna of Agbo Nkokoro, Umuchioba Obayi Ovim, Isuikwuatọ LGA, Abia State Nigeria scaled the important semi-compressed "Traditional Marriage Terrain in Igbo land that included the popular "Ime- Ego" in Anambra parlance or "Ikwụ Ugwọ Akụ Nwanyi" (Bridal Pride [BP]) in Abia State, Nigeria. In Ala-Igbo (Igbo Nation), BP does not literally connote any form of trade. However, it is a symbolic gesture/ceremony for a bride's family to proudly gauge and amplify the worth of their beautiful, well behaved, and academically trained daughter. Measured by any exponent, the Chieloka and Ụlọma Ifeadike of Abagana invested mightily in their daughter's overall upbringing and academic excellence which will be very tough for any honest money making man, much less a starting young man like Mazi Ogbonna to financially afford. Thus the words, BP is a pure misnomer. It's a celebration for entrusting a daughter into the care of a responsible and worthy man for enduring "Ọgọ Ngọkata" - Union of two families for immeasurable family growth and expansion.
The entire Ogbonna's family of Ovim and entire Okorie immediate and extended family from Ihie, Ahaba. Imenyi as well as Ndi Isuikwuatọ proudly and whole heartily accept our newest wife, Dr. Mrs. Nkasiobi Ogbonna and her entire Ifeadike immediate and extended family of Abagana. God will be the Rock of Ages for Nkasiobi and Mazi to have a blissful and exemplary marriage of love, respect and unity as well the blessing of children and grand children and more.
We await many more invites in the near future. Congrats to Nkasiobi and Mazi. May God grant you many Happy milestones in future!!!!