Ikpanri is one of the most adorable traditions done in Igbo land precisely in Olikwu in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria. During this traditional exercise, a bride is meant to be gifted with lots of beautiful items from the husband which would be taken to her new home. During this ceremony, all items are showcased in her father’s house.
Even though this rite is not a must, it shows a sign of respect and love from the groom to his adorable bride. This is why most parents would want their daughters to be celibate and preserved before marriage.
This rite, brings honour to the bride for keeping herself from unwanted pregnancy until marriage. Most people who could afford this always do with lots of drinks and refreshments while sampling all the items before their kinsmen.
On November 29th, 2019, I was amongst the luckiest brides in my village who was honoured by my husband Mr Ogueri Ikenna (Eliyke Green) through this traditional rite in Olikwu village in Awgu LGA of Enugu State, Nigeria. My amazing husband brought almost all the items I could need in my lifetime, which include, varieties of wrappers, shoes, handbags, travelling boxes, pieces of jewellery, innerwear, make-up kits, toiletries, clothing’s, goat, tubers of yam etc. It was a phenomenal and amazing thing that had ever happened to me since it had always been my dream to be honoured this way.
Nevertheless, people feel that some men do not make any efforts to showering their wives with gifts after the wedding, which is why they were asked to buy those items. Some see it as a lavishing rite, others see it as the worst tradition ever, few tagged it ‘man buying wife, while some say it’s a modern-day slave trade. But in our culture, it’s a sign of respect accorded to a bride by her groom.
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