How Relevant Is A Traditional Wedding

In Africa, Nigeria, specifically, much importance is placed on traditional wedding. Before getting married in a church or a mosque, couples are always advised to have a traditional wedding first.

In some cases, people even celebrate the traditional wedding and forget about any other type of wedding. For them, so long as both families  give their consent, the dowry accepted and the rites performed, then a wedding has taken place and there is no need for any other ceremony. 

In fact celebrating a white wedding or any other one, is considered an unnecessary repetition.

However, some people argue that traditional wedding is not an authentic wedding. In the course of this article I spoke to a few people who said  traditional weddings are unnecessary, because religiously, it has no blessings attached to it!

I also met a lawyer who said, traditional weddings have no legal standing either. If this then is true, why the need for traditional wedding.

I think it is important to have a traditional wedding as an African and then any other one can follow. I believe tradition is important. 

Those in your village or home town and  your relatives should know that your family is giving out their child or receiving an in law. They should get to know you or their in laws, not everyone will attend your white wedding or Nikah.

Certain aspects of our culture, especially when it has to do with marriage  should not be discarded in the name of religion or civilisation.

Traditional weddings bind families, it unites people, it creates understanding, acceptance, respect and love and it is own way prevents divorce.

It gives room for the display of culture and tradition, which most times, is the pride of your people.

Having said that, I equally agree that Christian weddings, Customary or Islamic weddings are very important but they should not be done at the expense of a traditional wedding. A traditional wedding should take place before or after any of them.