CHAPTER 27: THE BRIDE PRICE PAYMENT.

CHAPTER 27: THE BRIDE PRICE PAYMENT.

2 weeks after Orkumaga's father (Mr. Martins) had visited Susan's parents, he called his father in the village and told him about their plans to go and pay for their son's girlfriend's dowries and from there, Mr. Martins' father asked him the date he had planned to go and pay for her hand in marriage and he (Mr. Martins) said to him that it will be at the of the month. Me Martins' father immediately informed his brothers of the plans to travel and pay for his grand son's girlfriend's dowries and they all agreed.

When they all agreed, he (Mr. Martins' father) him again and asked the village's name and he told him Omogwuma in Imo state. His father said to him that they will follow from Benue state and go there to wait for them as they are far from the state and he agreed. After he finished discussing with his friend, Mr. Martins again called Susan's parents and informed them of their readiness to go and pay for their daughter's dowries and from there, Mr. Emeka ( Susan's father) immediately ask him the date they wanted to go for the payment Month has already ended and without wasting time, Mr Martins told him that they will going during the weekend which is Friday.

As he chose Friday, Mr. Emaka also agreed with him and from there they finished the discussion. Mr. Emeka then called his village people and told them of their plans so they wrote the list of the things for him to prepare before going and sent to him. When he received the message of the list, he forwarded it to Mr. Martins.

As Mr. Martins saw the message, he showed it to his wife Dooter and his son Orkumaga and from there, they bought all that was written and from there, they all set to travel to Susan's village. On Thursday Susan and his parents travelled to the village to prepare for Orkumaga and his people as they were about to go the following day.

Orkumaga's Father also called his father again and sent him money to buy some of the things that were listed and also bought some of the things himself.

After they bought everything, they set to travel to the village.

On Friday early in the morning Mr. Martins, his mother, Orkumaga and Dooter all travelled to the village and before they arrived the village, Mr. Martins' father was already there with some of the people from Benue state and from there they all greeted each other as they welcomed them.

The following day at exactly 10 Am, they all assembled in the hut and immediately the eldest man of family welcomed Orkumaga and his people and they also greeted each other.

After greetings, the eldest man again asked Orkumaga's people where they are from and immediately the eldest man from Orkumaga's people answered and clarified to him that they are Tiv people from Benue state. Haven known that his in-laws are from another tribe with a different culture and traditions, the eldest man said to the eldest man from Orkumaga's people that they were about to do something with Igbos and again asked them if they were aware that Igbos have their own culture and traditions and they all agreed in chorus.

After they agreed, the eldest man continues...

He said to them that according to Igbo tradition, it is required of them to give him a bottle of hot drink and also money to the person holding the list of the bride price as he is their secretary.

When he finished what he wanted to say, a bottle of got drinks was brought out and handed to him by Orkumaga's people and again N2000 was also given to the secretary who was holding the list of the things they were to pay or provide.

After giving the secretary his money, he stood up and shared the copies of the list to all of them and in the list, the next was the payment of the things for Susan's father Mr. Emeka and immediately they brought out the things that were listed. The things were...

•Walking stick.

•Traditional cap.

•Native dress that has been sewn.

•Pair of shoes.

•N N30,000 cash.

After they finished paying for Susan's father, it was turn for her mother Mrs. Lily so they called the list of the things out for them to bring and they instantly went to the car and brought all that were listed on the list. The things were....

•1big basin

•1 big covered basin

•1george wrapper

•2 abada (ordinary wrapper popularly called hollandis)

•3 blouses which have been sewn

•A set of earrings and necklace

•Wrist watch

•Handbag

•3 big head ties

•pair of shoes

•20 tubers of yam

•2 big stock fishes

•1 bag of rice

•1 bag of salt

•carton of tin tomatoes

•20 liters of tin groundnut oil

•N2,000 to N5,000 cash.

After settling the list for the father and mother, next on the list was payment to the Umunna (Men) . Their list also contained

•Head of tobacco

•A roll of cigarette

•Potash

•20 gallons of palm wine

•4 cartons of beer

•4 cartons of maltina

•6 bottles of Hot drink

•Goat

•N10,000 cash.

And after the Umunna the next were the

Umuada (women)

The women's group is not left out. They have their own list which must be fulfilled. The list contained..

20 tubers of yam

1 tin of 20 liters kerosene

1 bag of salt

1 carton of bar soap

1 carton of Lux soap

4 big containers of talcum powder

N10,000 cash.

After paying all that were required by the Igbo tradition, The next was the bride price then The eldest man said that for the bribe price, it's not done outside and immediately told Mr. Emeka and his other brothers to go in with Orkumaga's people and agree on what so ever the amount they want and they immediately went inside the room. As they entered, Mr. Emeka said to them that he's not selling his daughter to them and from there he asked them to give him 50.000 naira and immediately it was paid.

After Orkumaga's people had paid the bride price, they came out and sat down.

The eldest man again stood up and thanked them for paying all that were asked. He whispered to some of the elders and while he was about calling Susan give to Orkumaga, food was brought out for them to eat.

After they finished eating, the eldest man again called Susan and Orkumaga to come close and they moved to where he was sitting. The eldest man now held their hands and joined them together with blessings.

While he was blessing them as they became husband and wife, both parents couldn't control the joy in them. The eldest man commanded Susan to hug her husband and again advised her to always be humble and submissive to her him.

Immediately Orkumaga and Susan were joined as husband and wife, they left the village to the city.