Hello my friends and welcome to my blog. I was a little busy last week due to my uncle's wedding.

Do you feel my chief vibes ?😅

I feel like sharing it here, perhaps others who are not Africans can be educated on how we Africans do our traditional marriage.

It is noteworthy, that before this big day my family has already paid the bride price.

And here is how it is done in my tradition:

Like I said before, I am from the Ibibio tribe in Nigeria. And just like every other culture in Nigeria, the Ibibio marriage rites, involve traditional and some modern elements that needs to observed.

Pre-Marriage Rites:

• Introduction (Nkong-udok): The word in bracket is my native language meaning "knocking of door".
  At this stage - this is when the groom's family visits the bride's family to introduce themselves and express their intention.

• Bride Price Negotiation (Ufanga list): At this stage, the groom's family negotiates the bride price (money or gifts item) that was given to them to pay. This is usually done at the bride's family compound with the bride's family.

Note: The first two process could take months to finish up depending on if the groom have enough money to fulfill all those demands.

Traditional Marriage Rites:

This is the main day, a very important one. And this was the stage my uncle did last week Saturday.

• Payment of Bride Price : This is the point were the groom and his family pays the agreed-upon bride price and gift to be given to the bride's family.

• Traditional Wedding Ceremony (Usoro Ndo): This stage is when the groom and the bride are joined together by elders of the community, family, friends and well wishers.

The bride's family would present the bride to the groom's family. This signifies unity and supports.

The bride's family would cook food and shared them with the groom's family and friends.
My uncle was at this stage last week Saturday.

Last week Saturday was a big day for I and my family, a memorable one. Our family gathered to celebrate a momentous event which was my uncle's traditional wedding!😊

It was an unforgettable day filled with laughter, tears of joy and joy itself, we only felt sad as my dad wasn't alive to witness this great day. My uncle lived with by dad even before I was born. His dad passed away when he was just very tender.

As I watched my uncle exchange vows with his beautiful bride with their traditional attire, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions at the spot.

This is 75% men's dream., that they get married someday to the person they love and cherish.

While watching the event, pride 😅, happiness, and even a hint of nostalgia washed over me.

My uncle, patiently waiting for his wife 🥰

Infact, seeing him begin this new chapter in his life was truly heartwarming. I wouldn't know how mine would be even though that's the least thing I'm worried about now.

The wedding ceremony was so stunning, with some vibrant traditional attire and decorations that showcased our African heritage or Ibibio people perse.

The atmosphere was so pleasant, with friends and family from all walks of life coming together to share in my uncle's love story.

What struck me most was the bride's radiant smile and my uncle's beaming happiness, oh you needed to see that 🥰

They both complement each other perfectly, I would say and their love was palpable throughout the day.

During the reception, we danced to some of our traditional music like the one below: