The Yoruba Wedding Ceremony
Traditional Yoruba engagement (Introduction) and wedding rites, from the knocking ceremony to the exchange of gifts, prostration, and the presentation of the bride.
Quick Facts
- Ethnic Group
- Yoruba
- Region
- South-West Nigeria
- Key Event
- Eru Iyawo (bride's gift exchange)
- Dress
- Aso-Oke (hand-woven fabric)
- Languages
- Yoruba
The Introduction (Knocking)
The Yoruba traditional wedding begins with the 'knocking' or Introduction ceremony (Mo mi, mo ẹ — 'I know you, you know me'). The groom's family approaches the bride's family to formally introduce themselves and express the intent to marry. They bring gifts including kola nuts, obi abata, orogbo, and obi, as well as wine, drinks, and fabrics. The ceremony involves prayer, prostration, and the seeking of blessings from the elders.
The Wedding Day
The main ceremony involves the presentation of the bride to the groom's family, the exchange of a dowry (eru iyawo), communal feasting, drumming, and dancing. Guests and family members wear matching outfits called aso-ebi (family cloth). The bride is presented in a veil and must identify her husband from among the guests. Drummers play bata and dundun music throughout the celebration.
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