Various traditional cultural rituals and practices are carried out by the Igbo people. A fair amount see large similarities, among many differences, in comparison to the mainstream cultural practices our modern society is still doing today. There are a few specific examples where both similarities and differences can be seen.
Traditional marriage (Igbankwu) is certainly a great example. Marriage in Igboland is not just an affair between the future husband and wife, but also involves the parents, the extended family and villages. There is a large progression of events leading up to the eventual ceremony. First the groom asks his potential partner to marry him. If it's a yes, the groom will visit the bride’s residence accompanied by his father. The groom’s father will introduce himself and his son and explain the purpose of his visit. The bride’s father welcomes the guests, invites his daughter to come and asks her if she knows the groom. Her confirmation shows that she agrees. Then the bride’s price settlement (Ika-Akalika) starts with the groom accompanied by his father and elders visiting the bride’s compound on another evening. They bring wine and kola nuts with them, which are presented to the bride’s father. After they have been served with a meal, the bride’s price is being negotiated between the fathers. In most cases there is only a symbolic price to be paid for the bride, but in addition, other prerequisites, such as kola nuts, goats, chicken and wine, are listed as well. Usually it takes more than one evening before the final bride’s price is settled, offering guests from both sides a glamorous feast. Once the price is settled, the wedding day is planned. It would normally turn out to be a joyful ceremony with singing and traditional dancing. On the day, the bride goes around selling boilt eggs to the guests, in order to prove to both families she has the potential and the capability to open a shop and make money. Then, the father of the bride fills a wooden cup (Iko) with palm wine and passes it to her daughter, whilst groom finds a place among the guests. Only after she has found the groom, offered the cup to him and he sipped the wine, is the couple is married traditionally. This is in much contrast to modern day celebrations. Today, church wedding follows traditional marriage . During this ceremony, the bride’s train, made up of the bride followed by her single female friends, enters the church dancing on the music, while the guests bless the bride’s train by throwing money over the bride and her entourage. The groom receives the bride at the altar for the final church blessing by the priest. This is often followed by a reception, which, in terms of celebration, is a similarity between the two cultures.
An Egwugwu Ceremony is a judgment ceremony in which the town is called to the "Egwugwu house" to settle a dispute between two families/parties by waiting for the gong to sound. The elders of the village sit in the front rows of stools with a row of nine seats in front of them. The plaintiff and the defendant gather in two groups in front of the crowd. When the gong is heard, the nine "spirits" (representing the nine founders of each village) come out of the hut, each wearing a mask. The leader Egwugwu, named Evil Forest, addresses both groups and receives their sides of the conflict. Then, the nine Egwugwu spirits consult in the hut and then come out and give the verdict to the crowd. This is how many family disputes are solved amongst the Ibo people. This ceremony is similar to our present day court trials, as the Egwugwu, or the judge, is analyzing the crime or dispute being focused on, determining the guilty party, and setting consequences that the guilty will have to give in to.
Funerals are an example as well. If someone of the Ibo village has passed, then a funeral will be held for that person. Traditional funerals of the Igbo people are very much different to present day funerals, as Ibo funerals are centred around the idea of celebration and honour towards the one who has passed, instead of mourning over their passing. During the funeral ancient drums of death are beaten and even guns and canons are shot off. Many of the attendees wear smoked raffia skirts and have their bodies painted with charcoal. Occasionally, a godly egwugwu may pay a visit to honour the deceased. At the end of it all the spirit of the departed is asked to move on peacefully. This ceremony is similar to present day funerals in some ways as well, in that they both deal with the putting to rest of a deceased individual. Even though Igbo funeral ceremonies are much more energetic and positive, they are both meant to give us closure and to make sure that it is acknowledged that those who pass are in a better place.
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