Junior Rasmussen
Planning a Yoruba traditional wedding involves a lot of steps, from the family introduction to the groom's family dancing in to meet their in-laws. There's also the vibrant and colourful outfits, the Aso Oke fabric, and the Gbedu music. It's a fun and beautiful celebration with lots of activities, and it's important for the groom's friends and groomsmen to have cash on hand to support him.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Family introduction | Both extended families meet for the first time at the bride's family home |
| Groom's family entrance | Led by the parents of the groom and the elders, with songs from a live band or the Alaga Iduro's entourage |
| Entrance fee | Paid by the groom's family |
| Introduction of families | The Alaga Ijoko introduces the groom's family to the bride's family |
| Seating arrangement | Families are seated opposite each other |
| Bride's companions | Accompanied by her Asoebi ladies |
| Groom's companions | Close friends and groomsmen should have some cash handy to support the groom |
| Music | Gbedu (traditional Yoruba music) is essential |
| Guest attire | Vibrant and colourful outfits to compliment the Nigerian culture |
| Family attire | 'Aso-ebi' ('family clothes' in English) |
| Men's attire | 'Agbadas' or 'buba and sokoto' ('shirt and pants' in English) |
| Fabric | Aso Oke is a prominent fabric used in the bride and groom's attire |
What You'll Learn
Family introduction
The family introduction is a very important step when planning a Yoruba wedding. It is when both families meet each other for the first time. Following the engagement announcement, the bride's family will set a date for the families to meet, and the introduction takes place at the bride's family home. The introduction is not only for the immediate members of the bride and groom's families; both extended families are required to be there too.
On the day, the groom's family dance in to meet their in-laws, who are already seated. The entrance is usually led by the parents of the groom and the elders, with songs from a live band or the Alaga Iduro's entourage. The Alaga Iduro meets them at the gate or hall entrance in the company of the housewives and asks the groom's family the reason for their visit. They state their reason and pay an entrance fee before being granted entry. The Alaga Ijoko then introduces the groom's family to the bride's family. Pleasantries are exchanged and they are seated opposite each other.
The completion of the family introduction meeting jump-starts the wedding planning phase. It is important for the groom's close friends and groomsmen to have some cash handy to support the groom and avoid any last-minute rushes or awkward moments.
Families of the celebrants often wear "aso-ebi" (translated as "family clothes"), where the material is chosen by the couple's families and the recipient of the fabric works with any tailor to create a design of their choosing. Men typically wear "agbadas" or "buba and sokoto" (traditional Nigerian clothing styles).
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Wedding attire
The wedding attire for a traditional Yoruba wedding is vibrant and colourful. The families of the celebrants often wear 'aso-ebi' or 'family clothes' in English. The couple's families choose the fabric, and the recipient of the fabric works with a tailor to create a design of their choosing.
Men typically wear 'agbadas' or 'buba and sokoto' (shirt and trousers). The groom's family dance in to meet their in-laws, who are already seated. The entrance is usually led by the groom's parents and elders, with songs from a live band or the Alaga Iduro's entourage.
The bride is accompanied by her Asoebi ladies. The groom's close friends and groomsmen should have some cash handy to support the groom and avoid any last-minute rush.
Aso Oke is a prominent fabric in Nigerian Yoruba weddings, used to create various elements of the bride and groom's attire. Couples often have a second outfit to change into for the reception.
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Music
The Alaga Ijoko then introduces the groom's family to the bride's family, and pleasantries are exchanged. The two families are seated opposite each other.
After the activities before the bride is called into the ceremony, the couple may change into a second outfit, and the reception program starts fully. This is when the Gbedu (music) begins, and it's time to rock and roll!
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The groom's family's entrance
In a traditional Yoruba wedding, the groom's family will dance in to meet their in-laws (the bride's family), who are already seated. The entrance is usually led by the groom's parents and elders, accompanied by a live band or the Alaga Iduro's entourage. The Alaga Iduro meets the groom's family at the gate or hall entrance, in the company of the housewives, and asks them the reason for their visit. The groom's family must state their reason and pay an entrance fee before they are granted entry. The Alaga Ijoko then introduces the groom's family to the bride's family, pleasantries are exchanged, and they are seated opposite each other.
The groom's family should wear "aso-ebi", or "family clothes", with the material chosen by the couple's families. The recipient of the fabric can then work with any tailor to create a design of their choosing. Men typically wear "agbadas" or "buba and sokoto", which are traditional Nigerian clothing styles.
It is important for the groom's close friends and groomsmen to have cash handy to support the groom and avoid any last-minute rushes or awkward moments.
There is also no Yoruba traditional wedding without proper Gbedu (music).
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The bride's entrance
The groom's family will dance in to meet their in-laws (the bride's family), who are already seated. The entrance is usually led by the parents of the groom and the elders, with songs from a live band or the Alaga Iduro's entourage. The Alaga Iduro meets them at the gate or hall entrance in the company of the housewives and asks the groom's family the reason for their visit. They state their reason and pay an entrance fee, after which they are granted entry. The Alaga Ijoko then introduces the groom's family to the bride's family. Pleasantries are exchanged, and they are seated opposite each other.
The bride and groom's families often wear "aso-ebi" or "family clothes", where the material is chosen by the couple's families, and the recipient of the fabric works with a tailor to create a design of their choosing. The bride's outfit will often be made from Aso Oke, a prominent fabric in Nigerian Yoruba weddings.
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Frequently asked questions
The family introduction is the first step when planning a Yoruba traditional wedding. This is when both families meet each other for the first time. The bride's family will set a date for the families to meet and the introduction takes place at the bride's family home.
The groom's family have to dance in to meet the bride's family, who are already seated. The entrance is usually led by the parents of the groom and the elders, with songs from a live band or the Alaga Iduro's entourage. The Alaga Iduro meets them at the gate or hall entrance and asks the groom's family the reason for their visit. They state their reason and pay an entrance fee before being granted entry. The Alaga Ijoko then introduces the groom's family to the bride's family, pleasantries are exchanged, and they are seated opposite each other.
Guests should wear vibrant and colourful outfits to compliment the Nigerian culture. Families of the celebrants often wear "aso-ebi" (translated in English to "family clothes"), where the material is chosen by the couple's families and the recipient of the fabric works with a tailor to create a design of their choosing. Men typically wear "agbadas" or "buba and sokoto" (translated in English to "shirt and pants"), which are traditional Nigerian clothing styles.
There is no Yoruba traditional wedding without proper Gbedu (music). It is also important for the groom's close friends and groomsmen to have some cash handy to support the groom. Aso Oke is a prominent fabric in Nigerian Yoruba weddings, used to create various elements of the bride and groom’s attire.
