Ojo Igbeyawo: The Yoruba Traditional Wedding List

He who finds a wife finds a good thing and there is nothing more beautiful and amazing like finding the one that makes your heartbeat. A Yoruba traditional wedding is a glamourous affair filled with lots of pump and excitement as the man officially comes to seek the hand of a beautiful flower in the home of the bride.

Every culture has its own requirement before a union is blessed and approved and the Yoruba wedding is not any different as a list is handed to the groom ahead of the joyous occasion. The list contains all the requirements he needs to fulfill and bring before the bride is given to him by the family.

The items on the Yoruba Traditional wedding list will differ based on what part of Yorubaland the bride’s family is from and your family may decide to ask for more or fewer items. The groom’s family can also ask for the list to be reduced if they cannot afford to provide every item on the list.
Read also: 12 Immaculate Fashionable Asoebi Styles For A Wedding Event

Yoruba Engagement List (Eru Iyawo List)

42 Bitter kolas (Orogbo)
42 Tubers of yam (Isu)
42 Kola nuts (Obi abata)
42 Chilli/Alligator Peppers (Atare)
42 pieces of dried Fish (Eja Osan)
1 Dish of peppered corn  meal (Aadun)

1 Pack of Sugar
2 Baskets of Fruit
2 Decanters filled with honey
4 Crates of canned or bottled soft drinks
4 Crates malt soft drinks
4 Cartons of bottled water
2 Bottles of non-alcoholic wine
2 Cartons of fruit juice

1 Bag of salt
1 Bag of rice
1 Umbrella
1 Goat
1 Keg of palm wine
1 Keg of groundnut oil

A big suitcase containing clothes, shoes, and handbags including aso-oke fabric, 2 sets of lace with gele and 2 sets of Ankara
1 Wristwatch, Earrings, and Chains
Biscuits and Sweets
Engagement rings for bride and groom
Bible(for Christians)
Quran, praying mat, praying kettle, rosary, white hijab, veil, and tasbir (for Muslim weddings)

Asides from the materials listed above Money is also paid to the family of the bride and this money is given to certain members of the family for their role in raising the bride. Bride Price is presented during the ceremony but eventually returned by the bride’s family who states that they are not selling their daughter.

Here is the amount of Money
Owo Ori (The Bride Price) – Varies
Owo Ijoko Agba (Money for the elder’s consent) – N,1000
Owo Baba Gbo (Money for the bride’s father’s consent) – N,1000
Owo Iya Gbo (Money for the bride’s mother’s consent) – N1,000
Owo Ikanlekun(Door knocking fee) – N1000

Owo Isiju Iyawo (Fee for unveiling the bride) – N1,000
Owo Aeroplane (Bride transportation fee) – N1,000
Owo Iyawo Ile (Money for the Housewives) -N500
Owo Omo Ile (Money for the Children of the household) – N500

Owo letter Kika (Letter reading fee)-N500
Owo Telephone (Fee to call the bride out) – N500
Owo Isigba (Engagement gifts unveiling fee) – N500
Owo Alaga Ijoko (Master of Ceremonies fee) – N500

The money is collected at different points during the Yoruba traditional wedding ceremony, while the gift items are arranged at the venue before the ceremony starts. Gifts are usually packaged in baskets or boxes, which are coordinated to match the wedding colour scheme.

Photo Credit: Getty