The Nigerian culture is so rich and so diverse. Every tribe and culture is uniquely different and beautiful.
The Efik traditional attire like the brides, is so distinct from that of other Nigerian cultures. Some people might even mistake an Igbo bride for an Edo bride because of their outfits and beaded accessories worn. But with Efik brides and even the groom, you’re sure to spot the tribe.
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There are two main native wedding wears common to the Efik Brides. These are Ofod Ukod Anwang and Onyonyo.
Ofong Ukod Anwang is a colourful two-piece attire consisting of a large skirt that drops down from the waist down to the knee and a blouse that covers only the bust. The stomach and shoulder area are then covered with beaded body adornment.
The other Efik traditional attire for Brides is the “Onyonyo”. A Victorian-style dress or ball gown made from lace fabric and worn majorly by brides at their traditional wedding ceremonies.
The Onyonyo outfit spells regality in every sense of the word. The prestigious outfit is greatly inspired by Mary Slessor, the famed young Scottish missionary prominent for her works in infanticide especially stopping the killing of twins in the Calabar region of Nigeria in the 1800s.
The Onyonyo is a long flowing gown, styled in different ways from the brides’ preferences to the designers’ artistic minds. It is usually worn with sophisticated accessories, the bride’s braided hair divided in five sections, the front, the sides, the obvious centre called “Etinghe” and the back, held together with golden combs.
The back is styled such that each piece of comb is aligned as the braids flow down. The length of the back section is determined by the bride’s position in the family, the first daughter “Adiaha” always has the longest back section braids embedded in combs, all the way to the buttocks.
The bride holds a long staff, with ruffles at the top and is adorned with beads or other complementary jewelries. In some cases they have a designed velvet scarf thrown over the shoulder, which could match the designs on the bride’s purse. The brides featured in this post totally dazzled in this monumental mode of dressing.
Photo Credit: Getty
