Yoruba Traditional Wedding: Eru Iyawo
Photo Courtesy – Wrap It by Ile Oko Ya
Hello friends and welcome back to OmaStyle Bride! In this post, we are talking about Yoruba traditional weddings. When planning any Nigerian traditional wedding, one of the most talked-about topic is the Bride’s List. How long is it going to be and what will be included? A lot goes into this process, before and on the wedding day. So let’s talk about the Eru Iyawo in Yoruba culture.
The Bride’s List or Engagement List is called Eru Iyawo in Yoruba culture. The list is a traditional requirement and an important part of the traditional wedding process in the Yoruba land. It’s a list given to the groom and his family weeks before the traditional wedding day of items they need to bring for the wedding ceremony. To get the real 411 on Yoruba traditional wedding and Eru Iyawo List, I reached out to some of my Yoruba friends to learn more.
Boyfriend (AKA Future Groom) - Ask For Permission
Before the groom proposes to his girlfriend, the groom must meet and inform his future in-laws of his intention to marry their daughter and get their blessing. After receiving their blessing, then the groom is free and encouraged to propose marriage to his girlfriend. If she says yes, together as an engaged couple, the couple will announce their engagement to their respective families, and that sets the stage for their full family introduction.
Family Introduction
The family introduction is a very important step when planning a Yoruba wedding. It’s when both family members will meet each other for the first time. Following the engagement announcement to the families, the bride’s family will set a date for the families to meet, and the introduction takes place at the bride’s family home.
Also, the introduction is not only for the immediate members of the bride and groom’s families. Both extended family members are required to be there as well and all will meet each other for the first time too. The completion of the family introduction meeting jump-starts the wedding planning phase.
Back in the day, the family introduction is a small ceremony held in the bride’s family home. But today, all that has changed. While some families still practice it, as it used to be; it has become a mini traditional wedding ceremony and the couple wears beautiful matching outfits.
Getting The Eru Iyawo List
The Eru Iyawo List comes from the eldest member of the bride’s family. The bride’s father, if he’s not the eldest in his family line, he will reach out to his eldest brother or uncle for the Eru Iyawo List, which is then given to the groom and his family.
The list contains items the groom and his family must present to the bride’s family and community members on the wedding day along with some cash in an envelope to be used for various activities during the wedding ceremony.
Also, in regards to the Eru Iyawo List, the bride does not have say or contribution on the items requested on the list. However, the bride and the groom’s families can discuss the list and finalize what the groom and his family brings on the wedding day.
Furthermore, depending on your Yoruba community within the Yoruba land, the Eru Iyawo List might differ a little to include more or less items. The below items are the majority of what is found on the list to give you an idea of what the Eru Iyawo List is made up of.
Why The Eru Iyawo List
The Eru Iyawo is a traditional requirement that has been practiced for generations and passed down to the next generation. It’s a very important practice for the groom and his family to bring the items agreed upon for the bride’s family. It’s a show of appreciation for having raised a daughter that is set to be married to the groom.
The groom and his family must buy and package the Eru Iyawo items for the ceremony. The packaging of the Eru Iyawo is a big deal in today’s Yoruba weddings and as such, the presentation must look good.
Eru Iyawo Bride’s/Engagement Items
- Bride Price (Amount between N1,000 to N5,000 for most Yoruba families. According to my Yoruba friends, this amount is symbolic and usually returned to the groom after the wedding).
- Proposal Letter
- Travelling Suitcase
- Jewelry
- Brand New Outfits
- Alligator Pepper
- Salt
- Tubers of Yam
- Honey
- Bible (for the Christians)
- Quran and praying materials (for the Muslims)
- Fresh Fruits
- Bitter Kola nuts
- Basket of Fruits
- Engagement rings
- Water
- Umbrella
- Pack of Sugar
- Dish Fish
- Other monetary amounts will be required for the groom to provide. (My Yoruba friends, please check with your parents and elders for more about other monetary requirements).
Check out these beautiful and elegantly packaged Eru Iyawo gift presentations at actually Yoruba traditional wedding ceremonies. Photo courtesy by Wrap It by Ile Oko Ya.
Thus, Yoruba traditional wedding is very beautiful and fun. A lot of activities takes place before the bride is called the into the ceremony accompanied by her Asoebi ladies.
During those activities, it’s very important for the groom’s close friends and groomsmen to have some cash handy to support the groom. This is to avoid any last minute rush looking for change or worst, awkward moments.
With this in mind, grooms let your guys know about this part of the ceremony ahead of time so they don’t leave you hanging in shame. LOL.
I wish you all the best with your wedding plans. Happy planning…Cheers!
Vendors:
Wrap It by Ile Oko Ya @wrapit_ * Love & Harmony Events @lh_events
