Esan Traditional Marriage List

As at the time I came up with this article I am not married, I was looking for the standard rites of a typical Esan Wedding.

I was prompted to ask for the list if I am to marry.

Guess what?😀

I got the Esan Traditional Marriage List.

This writing is just to give a clue on how Esan bride list look like. 

It might vary considerably, depending on IDU (settlement/quarters), Egbele (family), social status of both families and other factors.

Here is the list;

1 Umbrella 

1 suitcase filled with clothes (box of wrappers) 

2 bottles of hot drinks (schnapps) 

1 crate of malt drinks 

1 plate of kolanuts 

1 bag of salt 

25 liters of palm oil for the bride’s mother 

1 jar of palm wine 

1 carton of wine for sundry use (the groom should hold this) 

3 crates of malt for women of the lineage 

6 carton of beer for men of the lineage (broken down into 2 cartons of small Guinness stout; 2 cartons of Star beer; 2 cartons of Gulder beer) 

28 tubers of yam arrange in groups of seven 

14 tubers of yam for the eldest man in the lineage 

N1,500 cash for the dowry 

N5,000 cash for the bride’s mother 

N3,000 cash for the bride’s father 

N9,000 cash for the men in the bride’s lineage and 

N6,000 cash for the women bride’s lineage

When choosing a date for the traditional marriage.

 You may like to avoid (Eki-ole) market days. 

Because it's forbidden to pay bride price, introduction and traditional marriage on market days.

Source - Stella Anokam.