Okrika is a tribe in Rivers state, Nigeria. The Okrika people like to display their culture, especially during traditional weddings.
Traditionally, the Okrika people are fishers, traders, and salt makers.
Here, we will introduce you to the culture of Okrika in their traditional wedding.
The 1st stage of the traditional ceremony is to fulfill the conditions in the family’s list.
The requirements range from drinks, money to foodstuff items, items for the parents of the bride, items for the community etc.
Every single item on this list must be brought forward or monetized before anything can go on.
According to the Okrika tradition, when a man “Iya’s” a woman, he’s now fully a part of her family and vice versa.
Read also: Inside Cynthia And Jide’s Luxurious Igbo Traditional Wedding
The Agbani
This is another very important element of the Okurukaka ceremony. The raffia (which is the Okuru) alongside foodstuff items are presented from the groom by women in the bride’s family. They will walk round the community with these items on their heads then bring it before the family to inspect.
The Okuru
Advice for the couple and prayers for the Okuru before it is tied on the bride.
Before the Okuru is tied, the tradition is that the Bride & Groom must change into white singlet and wrapper and walk bare feet.
The family head who is to tie the Okuru has to ask the crowd and families of both parties several times that he is tying the Okuru because of how delicate and significant the act is.
When the Okuru is tied, this singular act emphasizes the unbreakable bond of marriage and cements the marital union by the tying (or kaka-ing) of the Raffia (Okuru). Hence, Okuru-Kaka.
The raffia is symbolic of the import of the union as being unbreakable. This is why once the raffia is tied, the marriage can no longer be dissolved.
After the Okuru has been tied, every thing belonging to the man belongs to the woman and everything belonging to the woman belongs to the man.
This is also called Iya Marriage.
Immediately the Okuru is tied, the Bride & Groom have to walk bare feet round the community till they get to the groom’s family house to remove it.
The couple is prayed for and the Okuru is loosened in the groom’s family house.
This act signifies that the bride is now rooted and is part & parcel of the groom’s family. No leave, no transfer 😂😂
According to Okrika tradition, the Okuru will be taken off and replaced with Njiri.
Trending video of the day;
Photo credit: Getty
