It was the fifteen day in the month of December 2023, where the second grand child in the family would be joined in holy matrimony with her betrothed. We eagerly anticipated the day as it was the first wedding among the grandchildren and Lots of preparation were put in place to make it a success.
After the traditional marriage which took place on a Thursday, here comes the big day. We went to the church first and then straight to the reception where we took beautiful photos that reminds us of how colorful the day was. But of course thats not the whole interesting part .
According to the jukun people of taraba state, that's where our inlaws came from. After the wedding day, the bride will ensure she's at her inlaws house as early as possible to perform the traditional rite's. I think I will get confused or even bite my tongue trying to pronounce the name of the ritual so let's continue. Please oh! It's not that type of ritual where they sacrifice goats and rams, It's just a harmless normal traditional rite's where the new bride prepare her first meal for her entire husband household, after the cooking she closes her face with her wrapper and her mouth is opened I mean opening her mouth with money.🤣 She's not to speak or greet anybody in the house the moment she stepped inside the compound and if you want her to respond to you, you give her money.
Now back to where I stopped, the bride is supposed to invite her friends and sisters to come assist her not with the cooking but with some of the house chores and for sure I was there. When we reached, the first thing we did was to sweep the family compound gathering each dirt in batches without packing it. Each dirt represent money i.e any amount of money must be dropped on the dirt before packing it. The money made from the dirt is mainly for her friends and sisters and I got my share of the money. 💰 We didn't wash the dirty dishes because by the time we arrived they helped us do that.
For the cooking aspect we thought the bride would choose any preferred food of her choice to cook but no😏 she has to prepare their traditional meal which is corn flour also known as tuwo and I don't know the name of the soup but it's a combination of dried okra soup and dried fish red oil stew. What a combination right? I know.😁
Fast-forward to the cooking she prepared her fire locally and the cooking started it was a whole lot of interesting episodes. after the cooking we ate and I must say she over did her best.✅
That's not all oh! The groom also settled us monetary as a token of appreciation for coming to help his bride out. Before leaving the house that day, I gathered enough money and guess what I used it for? I bought my last year Christmas shoe with it at least anytime I wear it I remember that beautiful day. After all the work I rested a bit and came back home. But it didn't end there my aunties still sent some share of their money to me for going to help out since they are not permitted to do anything but watch how their daughter cooked.
Before leaving the house that day I left with a thousand naira but returned back home with thousands of naira.😁
I wish another lady from the family will marry a jukun man for us to enjoy all those benefits.
So my cousin's wedding/ traditional rite's was a memorable day for me of which I won't forget.
All Images used are mine.
Write up was inspired by @hivenaija community weekly contest wk62 memory you would love to experience again and why.
Thank you for your time, peace 🕊️