Greetings to everyone on the hive platform. This week’s topic is a topic I really love to talk about when given the chance and it is so nice of @amberkashif to bring up this topic this week.
1️⃣ Marriage is a universal tradition, yet its celebration reflects the unique values, customs, and traditions of each culture. What are the most significant traditions, customs, and practices that define wedding ceremonies in your culture? How do they embody your community's heritage and beliefs? 𝐀𝐍𝐃 / 𝐎𝐑 ~2️⃣ What is the most important thing that you are seeking to attain in 2025?
First, I would like to talk about marriage itself. I am from the Yoruba culture in West Africa, where marriage is a very important milestone in everyone’s life and also a significant event for the family. In my tribe, marriage in the olden days began with either a family expressing interest in someone and proposing to that family or by a man meeting a woman and later involving the family in the marriage rites.
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Some of the most significant traditions involve the traditional seeking of the bride. The intending groom’s family would pick a day, come along with gifts, and make their intentions known to the family of the intending bride. The eldest member of the groom’s family, usually the father, serves as the spokesman and communicates their intentions. The dialogue goes like this: “We have seen a beautiful flower in your garden, and we would love to pluck it with your permission.” To which the father of the intending bride would respond, “Which flower might that be?” The name of the intended bride would then be mentioned.
Negotiations about what the groom’s family would bring then start, and a wedding date is fixed. A formal traditional wedding is held with all the extended family and close family friends in attendance. Depending on the family, the main religious wedding—either a mosque wedding (Nikkah) or a church wedding ceremony—takes place two days after the traditional wedding.
Another significant tradition is the gifts presented to the bride herself and her family. The bride’s family would receive yam, salt, sugar, honey, palm oil, and kolanut. Each of these gifts has a traditional representation depicting how long, happy, and fruitful the marriage would be. The bride would receive a holy book, clothes, shoes, jewelry, and much more.
Moving on to my 2025 goals, I have said this time and time again: 2024 was a really tough year for me. I intend to have as many firsts as I can. I have already started on my quest; I went to the gym for the first time in my life this year, I tried the treadmill, and I lifted weights for the first time ever.
I also intend to learn new skills this year and truly put myself first in everything. I plan to be really kind to myself and love myself more this year—so help me God!