Went home to celebrate my dear sister Introduction Marriage

My weekend was a very special one because it was the marriage introduction of my dear sister. It was a day we had all been waiting for and preparing for. In our culture and tradition, marriage is not something you just rush into. There are steps and processes that must be followed properly before any man can be allowed to marry a woman. One of the most important steps is the marriage introduction. That is where everything begins, and it is also where the families of the bride and groom come together to officially start the marriage journey.

According to our tradition, during the marriage introduction, the man who wants to marry must come with his people and do the proper thing. The first thing is the payment of the bride price. This is very important. Without it, nothing else can happen. Apart from the bride price, there are also other prices that must be paid. There is the mother’s price, the father’s price, and sometimes even the uncles’ price too. All these must be settled. They are a sign of respect and appreciation to the bride’s family.

Another important part of the introduction is the items that the groom’s family must bring. These items are always listed ahead of time and given to the groom so he can prepare. Some of the items include traditional foodstuffs like yam, palm oil, big beans, and others. There are also drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. In addition to that, there may be clothing materials, wrappers, and even some money in envelopes for different members of the bride’s family. All these must be complete. If one thing is missing, it can bring a serious problem, and the introduction might not hold.

Thank God, my sister’s introduction was very successful. Everything that was needed was brought. The bride price was paid in full. The mother's, father’s, and uncles' prices were all settled. None of the listed items was incomplete or missing. Everything was complete and that made everyone happy and satisfied. The families on both sides were satisfied.
The introduction ceremony itself went smoothly. There was no argument or delay. Everything was done in peace. There were elders from both families present, and they spoke well and prayed for the couple. It was a beautiful moment seeing how both families came together in unity to support this new journey of love between my dear sister and her fiancé. My sister was very happy and I could see the joy on her face throughout the day just smiling and smiling.

After the formal part of the introduction, it was time to eat and celebrate. There was more than enough food and drinks for everyone. We had rice, swallow, meat, fish, and different types of soups and the drinks. Everyone ate to their satisfaction.

But to be honest, must of these processes are to much. Even the uncles that don't know of you grew up and turn into the woman you are now, will come and start demanding for their own portion of items. Well that's the tradition and culture of most tribes here.

I love what I saw that day, that's was the first time I'm officially invited to join in a marriage introduction. It shows how marriage is not just between two people but between two families. The way everything was handled peacefully make sense.

Now that the marriage introduction is done, what is left is the traditional wedding and probably the white wedding. We are all looking forward to it, and we hope it will happen before the end of the year. Plans are already put in place and soon begin for the next stage. I know it will also be a wonderful event.

So, that was how my weekend went. It was full of activities, celebration, and happiness. I am very happy for my sister, and I pray her marriage will be blessed with love, peace, and success.