I have heard and read stories about weddings in Nigeria, how glamorous it usually happens, from the traditional wedding to the church, and finally, the reception. Well I have always wanted to attend one. The first problem was either I travel when one is about to happen or my friends who gets married decides to do something not so much due to finances. Well and good, the opportunity came a few weeks ago. My friend had announced to our group that he did be getting married on the 13th of June, 2020 and he wants us to be available. Since no where to travel to, due to the lockdown, and schools are yet to resume as I now work as a Graduate Assistant with my school, Tai-Solarin University of Education, I decided to have a fun filled experience. The bride's parents resides in far end of Lagos border with Benin, Badagry, and as its known widely in my part of the country, the wedding would have to hold at the bride's side though with mutual agreement of a favourable place with the groom and his parents. This means, I would have to travel to Badagry, also the first time visiting. Badagry is known to accommodate beautiful beaches and resorts, this made the experience worthwhile. I packed my bag on Friday morning as the bus was to leave by exactly 11am, emphasis has been made that no popular African time phrase is to be heard. I packed my suit for the church service and native attire for the traditional engagement ceremony. The bus left for Badagry at the exact time and we got there at about 5pm. You all know how a typical Nigerian road could be, and now imagine how rough would the journey be in lagos. It was filled with Police checkpoints and heavy traffic.
We settled in the hotel arranged for us and waited till 11pm to have the bachelors eve. It was exciting, we had alot of games and danced till we got tired, thanks to the Nigerian music vibes, it was never a dull moment. We retired to our rooms and prepared for the next day which was to the main deal for me. I woke up very early around 5am as I was eager to get on with the day, I even could sleep well because of the anxiousness, though tired. Dressed up in my maroon colour three piece suit, a black shoe to match my tie, I was ready to go. Picture session started quite early(its a custom in Nigeria, you take plenty pictures before going to the event itself) and was stunning to see different kinds of suit brands. We all arrived for the church service by 8am, Lo and behold, the groom was looking dashing in his own suit, alongside the bride with her white gown and the bridal train. The service started and was short and the vows taken quickly without much noise due to the lockdown. The picture session for the church service followed suite. After all the picture paparazzi, the bus conveyed us back to the hotel, to change for the engagement and traditional wedding which is the main deal for the typical yourba tribe. I quickly change to my white senator fabric(a white fabric mostly worn by senators), and joined for another session of pictures before leaving for the venue of the traditional wedding.
On arrival, we had to join the already waited groom to danced into the compound used for the traditional wedding. The groom and the best man also dressed in white and blue Agbada, look so handsome and cool. The moderator first prayed then told us to drop some currency notes before we could dance inside to start the program. We did and it was funny, when he said we have to pay for another gate entrance to the other moderator. Confused, I asked how many moderator was to be used for a typical traditional wedding? I was told its two, one for the bride and the other for the groom. Both moderators would speak on behalf of each family. Oh beautiful and amazing, I laughed heavily. We entered and before I knew what was happening, I had almost spent the cash on me. There were alot of payments to be made. We got to the most interesting part of the day, which was the Idobale oko iyawo(the groom prostrate to the bride family), it was to show that the groom begged to marry to the bride(a custom with the Yoruba tribe). It was very funny and interesting, the moderators made sure it was, and I enjoyed every bit of it. Payments and prayers were made. The groom was made to sit and take pictures with both families. Not much later he sat down where his chair alongside that of the bride has been prepared.
The bride looking so beautiful and amazing stepped out alongside his maids. She sat first with her family and some traditional rites and prayers were done. Pictures were taken, then she sat also with the bride family, she moved to sit with her husband. They both cut the cake and she did her first assignment as the wife. She fed her husband and likewise, the husband did his, giving her some cash as the first house allowance. We were treated to some sumptuous meals ranging from fried rice to jollof rice and yam flour with bean soup filled with different kind of assorted meat.
The program ended for the day and we all retired to our hotel rooms. The next day was for Thanksgiving at the bride's place and it would good as food was also served to keep the body going.
We left Badagry at about 1pm on Sunday and arrived abit early due to less traffic. It was a wonderful experience for me and I would love to have more.