The Ògùn Traditional Wedding Checklist

Are you marrying into a family of ògùn indigenes and you're trying to get everything right. Ògùn people are one of the most delightful party-loving people, so all you have to do is throw a memorable one. But before the party, there's appeasing the family of the bride.

Here's a checklist of what to present to the bride and her family when visiting.

• Yoruba Traditional Cloth (Aso-Oke)

• Ankara

• Bitter kola (42 Orogbo)

• Yams (42 big tubers)

• Palm Oil (25 litres)

• Vegetable Oil (25 Litres)

• Honey (2 bottles)

• Kolanut (42 pieces)

• Cash

• Alligator pepper (42 pieces; Atare)

• Sugar cane

• Umbrella

• Travelling box

• Corn Cake (2 plates Aadun)

• Assorted Fruits (2 baskets)

• Rice (1 bag)

• Wristwatch 

• Goat

• Sugar

• Seaman Schnapps or any dry gin 

• Red wine (6 bottles)

Each of these items above has its symbolism. For example, the baskets of fruits represent a wish and a prayer for fruitfulness in the marriage. The groom and his family are also directly telling the bride and her family that as long as they're together, the marriage will be fruitful. 

During the engagement and traditional wedding, you may be privy to experience a good spokesperson who will tell what each symbol means since in some cases, the symbols can vary from ethnic groups in Ogun state.

For items below, the groom can bring as much as he can afford, the idea is to support the family making the plans:

• Salt (1 bag)

• Wine (6 bottles)

• Bottled water (10 packs)

• Pet drinks

• Malt 

• Juice 

These items are symbolic and all have reasons behind them being on the list. It sometimes is acceptable to replace items you can't come by with cash. The Brideprice is usually a customary 5,000 naira wrapped in an envelope. There are other commitments you'll have cash wise as the traditional engagement ensues.

Here are some;

Bride (Owo Iyawo) 

Chairperson (Owo Alaga)

Unveiling bride (Owo Isiju Iyawo)

Sibling reading letter (Owo Kika letter)

Breakthrough (Owo Isilekun)

Agreement (Owo Iya/baba Gbo)

Host (Owo omo ile) 

Your budget should be about  ₦2000 -  ₦5000 per item on the list.