The Efik tribe of Calabar has a rich cultural heritage just like most Nigerian tribes. Apart from the mouth-watering delicacies, the Efiks have more in their culture that explodes the mind and leaves you intrigued. One of the aspects that portray this beautiful culture is the unique traditional marriage rites. The Calabar traditional wedding list is very important for the commencement of their traditional wedding.
When a man in love with an Efik lady wishes to take the relationship to the next level, he, first of all, informs his family who will join him in writing a letter to the family of the girl, stating their intention. This letter is accompanied by several bottles of drinks known as “mmin ukop iko”.
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Calabar Traditional Wedding List
- Knocking drinks: This is demanded after the groom and his family enter the bride’s house. It includes A Brigadier Brandy, a bottle of the star, and 2 minerals.
- Prayer drinks for blessing the couples: It includes an IMG dry Gin, two malts, 2 bottles of Star, and 2 bottles of mineral.
- Drinks for Intention Declaration: For the couple to declare his intention, he’s expected to present the following; A Brandy drink, 3 bottles of Star, 2 bottles of big Stout, 4 Gold malt, and 2 minerals.
- Introduction Drinks include; Malts, minerals, a big bottle of 1501, an MG dry Gin drink, 2 Champdor red wine, 6 bottles of Star, 4 bottles of Gulder, 6 bottles of Big stout, and also with N30,000 cash.
- Appreciation drinks: Drinks like a St. Remy, an MG Dry Gin,6 Star drinks, 4 Gulder, and Stout, mineral/ malts, a Brigadier brand, 2 Champdor red wine with N10,000 cash.
In preparation for marriage, the prospective bride is sent to the fattening room. The girl is usually cared for by elderly women of her clan but not necessarily her mother. The fattening room aims at teaching the girl how to prepare special delicacies, how to be good in bed, and basically how to raise a happy family.
The girl often acquires an admirable waistline, a fresh and robust look, and smooth skin as a result of traditional massage and skin therapy. She also acquires skills like calabash making and special dance steps which she will display on the day of her marriage.
On the day of the proper ceremony which takes place at the bride’s family house, the groom and his family will be seated with the bride’s father and his kinsmen in a sitting room while other guests seat outside, the announcer or moderator known as “mma ofiori ndo” (female) “ette ofiori ndo” (male) will announce each item to be presented to the hearing of the guests seated outside. One of the major items to be presented is a box “ekebe” which contains different kinds of clothing, accessories, shoes to show how the groom will take care of the wife he is to be given.
The bride price “okuk ndo” is paid, “ufop iso eka eyen” is paid to the bride’s mother, “ufop iso ete eyen” is paid to the bride’s father, the groom also pays “okpono ndidi” to loosen the ties on his bride’s feet and arms to officially claim her.
When the ofiori ndo calls for drinks to be presented to the bride’s family, two well-adorned maidens emerge with a brass tray containing the drinks (known as akpankpang) balanced on their heads for presentation. The akpangkpang an expensive commodity is very rare these days because not every family can afford it. Royal families who own it put it up for hire to those in need.
After meeting all the formalities, the groom who is usually dressed in a white singlet, a wrapper (nsobo), beaded shoes, and a cap is ready to make his entrance to the arena where guests are seated, his friends’ troop in with him holding a beautiful ceremonial umbrella over his head while dancing to the beautiful traditional drums and songs.
