By Vivian Nnabuihe
Any man dreaming to marry a babe from Imo State should be ready to spend a handsome amount of money on marriage rites.
The reason is that the bride price there is still about the highest in Nigeria.
Although some parents may soften their stance in some circumstances, especially where they are rich, a lot of people still insist on getting what they believe are traditionally due to them over their daughters.
A major feature of the bride price system in Imo is that it is broken into some components, which often makes the list long and scary to many. There are requirements to be fulfilled towards the bride’s mother, while there are those to be fulfilled to other segments of the family and community.
Some of the elders who spoke to this phenomenal.com.ng, through this writer, who is a native of Imo, said that the system involved some cultural politics.
One of them said, “In many cases, the father and mother of the bride-to-be may not be stiff in their demands. They can gleefully reduce the amounts required, but you find out that it is relatives and other associates that are insistent. So, even where the parents choose to ignore some elements of the bride price or reduce them, the other people won’t shift
Interestingly, Imo State people are known for a high quest for education. Ironically, this is what influences the marriage requirements of their educated ladies. While it all depends on each family to decide, the situation can be so critical that some ladies now defy their parents by moving on with their lovers where the men cannot afford the required bride prices.
Besides, whether Imo State or not, what we know is that marital requirement in the eastern part of Nigeria is on the high side when compared with other tribes with varying cultures.
Here is a list the girl’s parent presents to the suitor
The traditional marriage list for the family
1. Ego maternity- N1000 (money for her maternity, that is when the bride-to-be was born)
2. Ego body cream, Lux soap and a big towel
3. Ego ogo cherem – N50,000 (money for waiting for the In-laws’ coming)
4. 20 tubers of yam
5. 20 sizable snails
6. Okporoko (stock fish, one big tray)
Ibu or Ngwa Efere Nwanyi (Load for Bride’s Mother)
1. Forty tubers of yam
2. A tin of red oil (palm oil)
3. Two dried thighs of a goat (Ukwu and Ewu)
4. Morning rose powder
5. 25 bottles of pomade
6. Ten packets of sugar
7. Ovaltine – 2 big-size tins
8. Bar soap – 1 carton
9. Tablet soap – 1 carton
10. Tin milk – carton
11. Twenty-four loaves of bread
12. A bag of rice
13. A bag of tin tomatoes
14. Five to ten pieces of okporoko( stock fish)
15. Two pieces of Hollandis wrapper
16. 25 litres of kerosene
17. 2 bags of salt
18. Six crates of soft drink
19. 40 bulbs of sizable onions
20. Ego ala abo – N10, 000
21. Ego nfotu ite – N1,000 ( money for ‘bringing down the pot’)
22. Two big basins
23. Two family-size umbrellas
24. George material – 2 pieces
25. One rubber of groundnut oil (25 litres)
26. Blouse material – 2 pieces
27. Two head ties of high quality
28. A wristwatch
29. Two pairs of shoes
30. A big box
31. A lamp
32. A hand bag (one or more pieces)
33. One or more pieces of Nigerian wax
34. Gold necklace and earring.
List for first daughters in the family (Umuada)
1. 2 bottles of Seaman’s schnapps
2. 8 packets of Benson and Hedges
3. 8 heads of tobacco with potash
4. 1 goat for Umunna (the kindred)
5. 2 crates of minerals
6. 1 carton of Maltina
7. 2 cartons of Star beer
8. 1 carton of Guinness – small stout
9. Gallons of palm wine or cash equivalent
10. 2 bottles of ground snuff
11. Lump sum (Ogbe Ego) N2,000
12. 8 kola nuts or the monetary equivalent
For men (the kindred)
1. 32 kola nuts or the cost price
2. 30 gallons of palm wine or the cost price
3. 3 crates of minerals
4. 2 cartons of Guinness – small stout
5. 2 cartons of Maltina
6. 10 crates of Star beer
7. Two rolls of Benson and Hedges
8. 32 heads of tobacco with potash
9. 4 bottles of Seaman’s Schnapps
10. Ego Mpatu Anya (Jealousy money, N1,200)
11. Ego Mkpotu (Noise money, N1,400)
12. Ikpo Onu Aku Nwany (Bride price, negotiable
The writer, Vivian Nnabuihe, is a youth corps member from Imo State
