The numerous tribes in Akwa Ibom have a very rich and flamboyant culture. Marriage ceremonies in Akwa Ibom is known to be a very rich and colourful event, a perfect reflection of her culture.
This article focuses on how traditional marriage is conducted amongst the Annang tribe.
The traditional marriage process among the Annang ethnic group is in four phases namely:
- The pre- introduction phase traditionally called the Nkonk udok.
- The introduction phase traditionally known as Edidiong Ufok.
- The marriage ceremony proper also known as Usoro Ndo.
- The post-marriage phase traditionally known as Usio uyong.
Nkonk udok
This is translated to mean knocking of door.
The requirement for this phase by bride’s family is one bottle of any choice wine.
During Nkonk Udok, the bride-to-be openly accepts to marry the groom-to-be. When this happens, the wine brought by the groom is accepted by the bride’s family and questions on his personal life would be asked by the bride-to-be’s family.
This phase ends with the groom-to-be, being instructed to return on a scheduled date for the introduction list.
Edidiong Ufok
At this time, the groom-to-be comes with his immediate and some extended family members to get to know the bride-to-be’s family. This signifies progress in the marriage process. The highlight of this phase is the socialization and interaction by both families to know themselves better.
The requirements for this phase of the marriage process are:
One goat
2 bottles dry gin
2 crates of beer
3 crates of minerals
2 crates of malt
10,000 Naira for the mother and 20,000 Naira for the father.
Thereafter, the man is asked to return another day for the marriage list proper. After the man receives the marriage list, he’s given a timeframe to get the things on the list and return on a day traditionally called Uno Mkpo, with the items. After that, both parties agree on a date for the marriage.
Usoro Ndo
This is the day the couple will legally be declared Husband and Wife. It is usually characterized with diverse activities. This process commences with the arrival of the groom; who will be taxed by different groups before he is allowed into the bride’s compound.
Famous local delicacies will be displayed on a table, to entice the guests and visitors. Before the food is served to the public, one of the cooks will explain how the food was prepared, the ingredients used and so on. Thereafter, the groom’s family would first be served, before the public.
Marriage ceremonies in Annang are always flamboyant, captivating, rich and glamorous. Different cultural display would take the center stage ranging from cultural dances, songs by the natives, and current dance steps will be exhibited by the masquerades.
Next, the bride would be brought in by the women, to meet her husband. This will be a little bit dramatic as different women would be brought in for the groom to choose, which are usually old women. If the groom-to-be rejects all the women brought, he would be asked to pay some certain amount of money before he can see his bride.
After the groom pays the agreed amount to see his wife, the bride would be brought in and there will be a nuptial dance.
Usio Uyong
This is the last process of the marital journey. The bride-to-be is gifted with enough household things, especially traditional items like wooden chairs, spoons, stirring sticks etc.
The bride is then sent forth to her husband’s house with a younger one in tow or just herself.
Now, what’s an Akwa Ibom traditional marriage without good food? Some of the sumptous dishes commonly served at Annang traditional marriages include: Afia Efere (White Soup), Ekpang Nkukwo, Edikang Ikong, Ukodo (Yam Pepper Soup), and Palm Wine.
These dishes help make Annang marriages an unforgettable experience.
