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In recent years, Lagos weddings have become spectacles, in scope, in scale, in animation and in sheer grandeur. Despite Nigeria’s economic instability, the wedding industry, especially in the country’s economic hub, continues to flourish, revealing a complex ecosystem driven by social expectations, cultural pride and rising consumerism.
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Take professional gele stylists for example; people who make a living solely off tying our traditional headgear into the most beautifully complicated of structures. Content creators, separate from the main videography team, are now staples too, documenting moments specifically for Instagram and TikTok. Additionally, a typical Yoruba wedding engagement has two compères: an Alágà Ìdúró to represent the groom’s family and an Alágà Ìjòkó to represent the bride’s.
Take professional gele stylists for example; people who make a living solely off tying our traditional headgear into the most beautifully complicated of structures. Content creators, separate from the main videography team, are now staples too, documenting moments specifically for Instagram and TikTok. Additionally, a typical Yoruba wedding engagement has two compères: an Alágà Ìdúró to represent the groom’s family and an Alágà Ìjòkó to represent the bride’s.
With over 300 ethnic groups in the country, it is hard to define a single Nigerian wedding culture; however, Nigerian weddings generally follow the same pattern. Our weddings commemorate the union of two families, rather than just two individuals, and such a monumental union can hardly be fulfilled in one day. The process typically starts with the introduction ceremony, during which the groom, along with his family, visits the bride’s family to express his intentions of marriage. What follows is the traditional wedding where various traditional rites that officially mark the joining are performed. The groom and his family also present a bounty of gifts to his bride’s family in appreciation of them giving away their daughter’s hand in marriage. Gifts, often symbolic, range from jewellery, fabrics, food items and livestock to palm wine.
With over 300 ethnic groups in the country, it is hard to define a single Nigerian wedding culture; however, Nigerian weddings generally follow the same pattern. Our weddings commemorate the union of two families, rather than just two individuals, and such a monumental union can hardly be fulfilled in one day. The process typically starts with the introduction ceremony, during which the groom, along with his family, visits the bride’s family to express his intentions of marriage. What follows is the traditional wedding where various traditional rites that officially mark the joining are performed. The groom and his family also present a bounty of gifts to his bride’s family in appreciation of them giving away their daughter’s hand in marriage. Gifts, often symbolic, range from jewellery, fabrics, food items and livestock to palm wine.
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About the Author
is a writer and self-proclaimed polymath, who’s passionate about telling authentic African stories and making complex concepts plain. Her writing portfolio spans everything from news articles to prize-winning short stories, and two fiction books which have sold hundreds of copies combined.
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