THE REAL REASON IMO STATE GIRLS BRIDE PRICE IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE IN IBO LA

THE REAL REASON IMO STATE GIRLS BRIDE PRICE IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE IN IBO LAND

hahahaha cheii imo state bride price ohhh,i have heard guys talk about how expensive it is to marry an imo state girl, especially from mbaise. Some have even gone as far as impregnating the girl in question so that the family of the girl will be left with no choice than accepting whatever the mans family present as bride price in order not to face the shame of having their daughter give birth  at home.MBAISE IN IMO STATE IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE. They grade their brides in 4 categories: 

1. ILLITERATE 

2. SCHOOL CERTIFICATE 

3. GRADUATE

4. MASTERS AND ABOVE 

 Mbaise, one of the most populous local governments in Imo State, a core Igbo region, there exists an erroneous belief that it costs relatively much to marry their daughters. Still many Mbaise daughters are being married to people outside of the local government area. Some argue that special interest in marrying Mbaise girls is because of their dedication to marriage and hard work, and their ability to stay in a marriage through thick and thin. Whatever be the case, indications are that those who ventured to marry from among Mbaise people more often than not have blissful testimonies of the marriage.To whoever wish to have an everlasting marriage what you need is an Mbaise Girl, Never mind the cost and the initial gra gra they gives at the beginning you will benefit a lot from it. since quality worth the price.

They're Hard-working, don't depend much on husband to bring food to the table,they stay in marriage, in case of husband's death they pick up the responsibilities of bringing up the children to taste, Families don't interfer much in marriage lives, they're respectful, educated, productive, industrious,and the most Beautiful girls in Igboland, Mary Odili, Genevieve Nnaji and Rita Dominic, Terryvin Oguh are few examples of Mbaise Products
So what really does an Igbo traditional marriage entail? 

Introduction – Ikwu Aka (Knocking) 

Marriage in Igboland is not just an affair between the future husband and wife but also involves the parents, the extended family and villages. When you’re planning for the introductory part of your proposed union, you must bear in mind that there are two stages in this process. Depending on the Igbo community involved, the intending groom will be required to make two visits to the bride to be’s family. 

First, the intending groom, accompanied by his father or any elder relative or close family friend will visit the father of the bride to be formerly introduced and state their intention. They will then agree on a latter time to meet with other members of the bride to be’s family. No gift is required for this initial visit.

For the return visit, the intending groom’s family (not limited to the parents) will meet with the bride to be’s family and restate their intention. At this stage, it is expected that the bride to be’s family will have had ample time to investigate the groom to be’s family and must have reached a conclusion on the proposal. The prerequisites for this visit may vary from village to village, but, basically some of the key items offered as gift to the host family include Kolanuts, Wines (alcoholic/non-alcoholic) and wrappers (Nigerian/Holland prints). Money (cash gift) is usually not offered at this point in order not to be misrepresented.

Traditional Marriage – Igba Nwku (Engagement)

At this stage, a date has been agreed for the ‘Igba Nkwu’ to hold at the paternal home of the bride to be. The intending groom would have been handed a list of items to present at the engagement. The list usually is communicated after the introduction and is an obligatory part of completing the Igba Nkwu, which could either be a close family event or a big event including the whole “village”. The items on the lists are usually symbolic and cover different sections of the ceremony.

Typical Igbo Traditional List for the Groom

SECTION A : UMUADA (ALL KINDRED  DAUGHTERS)

Wrappers and Blouses– (George/Hollandis/Nigerian Wax)

Jewelry – (Gold plated earings, necklaces)

Head ties and Shoes (Different types and colours)

Hand bags and wrist watches (Different types and colours)

Toiletries (Body creams, bathing soaps, washing detergents, etc.)

Beverages and food items

Cash gift (lump sum) –Ogwe ego

Drinks (Malt & Minerals)

SECTION B: NMANYA UKWU (BIG WINE) – KINSMEN (UMUNNA)The items in this category will be shared amongst the heads of the extended family of the bride to be.

Bottles of Seaman’s Schnapps (millennium brand)

Kolanuts

Gallons of Palmwine

Cartons of Beer, Malt and Mineral drinks

Heads of Tobacco with potash

Rolls of cigarettes

1 goat

Cash gift (Lump sum) – Ego Umu’Nna

OTHER CASH GIFTS THAT MAY BE DEMANDED DURING THE COURSE OF THE CEREMONY

“Ego nfotu ite” (cash to bring down symbolic cooking pot) – ₦ 1,000

“Ncha kishi udu” (Toasting of wine) – ₦ 1,000

“Ego Ogo cherem” (money for the inlaws) – ₦ 50,000

“Ego maternity” (money for future maternity) – ₦ 1,000

“Ego Onye Eze” (money for village chief) – ₦ 1,500

“Ogwe Ego” (lump sum) – ₦ 5,000

SECTION C: N’MEPE UZO (OPENING OF GATE) – GENERAL

30 tubers of Yam

2 bags of Rice

2 bags of Salt

2 cartons of Star Beer

2 cartons of Guinness Stout

2 cartons of Maltina

6 crates of Minerals

3 bottles of Seaman’s Schnapps (millennium brand)

30 bulbs of onions

1 gallon of red Palm oil (10 -25 litres)

1 gallon of Groundnut oil (25 litres)

A basin of Okporoko (Stockfish)

2 pieces of Goat leg (Ukwu Anu ewu)

25 loaves of Bread

1 carton of Tin Tomatoes

1 carton of Tin Milk

1 carton of Tablet soap

20 Pieces of Morning Rose powder

1 gallon of Kerosene

20 heads of Tobacco

10 packets of cigarettes

5 pieces of George/Hollandis/Nigerian Wax

3 pieces of Umbrella

1 Big Box (Apati)

2 Big Basins

2 pieces of Igbo Blouse

2 pieces of Headties

Gold necklaces and Wrist watches (minimum of 2 pieces)

1 piece of Lantern/Lamp

“Ikpo Onu Aku Nwayi” (Bride price) – Negotiable

Usually the UMUADA and UMUNNA’s are quite a number in each clan and a minimum of three pieces/cartons per item above will be demanded before the bride to be is let out of her father’s house on the engagement day. More often than not, their demands are non-negotiable, but can be influenced by the bride to be’s family.

The items required in the general section vary from village to village and can be negotiated with the bride to be’s family. In recent times, the intending bride’s father waives most of the requirements that ordinarily would be meant for him and his immediate family and request the intending groom to provide only the other items required in the first two sections.

Dress and Grooming

At traditional marriage, wedding ceremonies, many have adopted the Igbo equivalent for ‘Aso Ebi’ referred to as ‘Akwa Nde Mbiriechi’. Before deciding on your ‘Akwa Nde Mbiriechi’, consideration should be giving to the type of fabric that would be most suitable for the occasion and will harmonize with the overall theme of your ‘Igba Nkwu’ (traditional marriage). 

Bride: 

You can either choose the olden attire Igbo maidens adorn at special occasions. You will be beautified in ‘Nzu’ (white clay) painted on your body, while covering your upper body and waist areas with pieces of ‘Akwete’ cloth (African print).

You can equally attend your own ceremony dressed in a contemporary ‘Akwete’. This is a traditional wrapper that some refer to as ‘Abada’ which usually is made up of 5 yards of either a Nigerian Wax fabric (Ankara), Holladis (Holland WAX), or the popularly used George (Mirror George) material and a puffed sleeve blouse sewn with 1½ yards of any laced/hand-cut fabric.  You can even choose to wear both options on your special day.

Accessories: An Igbo bride isn’t fully dressed without adorning some complementing accessories such as ‘Jigida’ (waist beads), ‘Ihe Olu’ (coral beads), ‘Ihe Nti, Ihe Aka’ (wrist chains, rings and earrings - could be made of beads or Gold plated), ‘Akpa Aka’ (clutch bag), ‘Nchafu’ (head tie) and ‘Akpukpu-Ukwu’ (footwear) that will match the overall ensemble.

Groom: 

Back in the days, the groom wore a pullover shirt called ‘Isiagu’ or ‘Ishi Agu’ (patterned with Lions heads and could be short or long sleeved) on a plain colored trouser (preferably black). In more recent times, particularly where the groom is not Igbo, the intending groom may choose to wear any other embrAccessories: You can accessorize your attire with the traditional Igbo men’s hat ‘Okpu Agu’ (a red or black hat), coral beads and a fashionable walking stick.
Other party paraphernalia such as catering, decoration, video and still photography, music and a lot more side attractions you get these days at weddings also feature at a traditional Igbo ‘Igba Nkwu’. The most important thing for the prospective couple is to plan out these details in line with their set budget. Just like any other wedding outside Ndigbo, marital expenses are mostly optional. No amount can balance the value of the man or woman you choose to marry, regardless of your race, culture or tribe.

Contributed by Susan Adirijeoidered