Igbo Culture

ages are an important part of almost every culture. One of these cultures is the Igbo, who reside in the southeastern parts of Nigeria. The Igbo like many African cultures experienced the wrath of colonialism causing a drastic change in their cultural rituals and beliefs. In the novel “Things fall apart” by Chinua Achebe, the Igbo clan and their culture starts falling apart as interactions with colonists began and many start adapting the new ways of the Christians. The novel touches on Igbo marriages in the pre-colonial era. In the Igbo culture, marriages are an important bond between not only the bride and the groom but their families as well. Weddings often consist of a long planning process. During the ceremonies, many people play active

The parents of both the bride and the groom with the help of their family would pick the right suitor for their children. The two families would set up a meeting where the groom and his family would visit the bride's family. Where the groom's father will state their intentions. This meeting took place in the bride’s father’s obi, and the potential bride is presented to the groom's family. They discuss things such as the bride price, ranging anywhere from cowries to goats. While discussing the bride price they often considered the “purity” of the bride as an essential. The female is presented to the groom's family, dressed in her best clothing, with black patterns made from Uli and cam wood rubbed on her skin (Achebe 71). If everything goes well during the first meeting they will schedule another meeting. In the meantime, both sides will try to find out more information about the other side such as their social status and their moral standing within the community. At the second meeting, they make the official decision and set up the actual wedding. There are other events such as the uri and the isa-ifi. According to Achebe, The uri is where the grooms price pays the bride price and presents the bride immediate and extended family with gifts such as kola nuts and palm wine. This was known as the women's ceremony because it focused mainly on the bride and her mother. The bride's mother had the important job of cooking food for everyone