The Epic Traditional Marriage of Obinna and Chinny Oji!

By Obinna Odenigbo Obinna Oji and Chinny Oji (nee Nwankwo) As many of you know, Nigeria is the largest and most diverse Black Country on the face of the earth. It is home over two hundred ethnic tribes and almost three hundred languages and cultures. This matchless colorful variety- or diversity if you will- is reflected in Nigeria’s miscellaneous and colorful wedding traditions. And despite the varying modus operandi employed in weddings from tribe to tribe, one wedding tradition that can be said to cut across all Nigerian cultures is ‘family’. A typical wedding- be it in Anambra, Abia, Adamawa or Akwa-Ibom is not only the bringing together of two people as a single family, but the combining of two families or even the mixture of two tribes into one family unit. One of such unique unifying ceremonies took place recently in South-eastern Nigeria- precisely in the ageless town of Awa, of Orumba North Local Government Area in Anambra State. The couple whose names appear at the topic of this photo album- mirrors the aforementioned values and despite their forays in education, Christendom and civilization, they willingly abide by the unwritten Nigerian code of having a traditional wedding- right before the ‘White Wedding’. It is the wife who knows her husband Chinyere and Obinna continue a rite observed by their parents, grandparents and forefathers-one that dates back to pre-colonial and indeed, prehistoric times. The most thrilling moment of the ceremony was highlighted when the bride, Chinyere Nwankwo carried a cup of wine in search of her groom who had long gone to mingle in the crowd. Chinny freestyling in her traditional attire The already electrifying mood reached fever-pitch when pretty Chinyere eventually located the exultant Obinna Oji to the triumphant glee of the onlookers. More traditional wedding flicks Cruise Nigeria was there to mark this special event, which saw a host of dignitaries in attendance- notably the State Governor of Enugu State who made the trip in person to celebrate with his nephew and niece-in-law. Enjoy the event Chinny looking fab in her traditional wedding attire More flicks Bride looking fly More wedding flicks More wedding flicks Right before the wedding Gov Sullivan Chime enjoying the occassion Mother of Groom (left) More flicks More wedding flicks More traditional wedding shots We wish the Oji family a lasting union, while we enjoin everyone out there enjoying this album- to adhere to the age-long African proverb which says, "Don't tear down a fence until you know why it was put up". I'm sure that reminds you of the overused 'asunder' line from the holy scriptures... in any case, you get the message. If you want your event- traditional wedding, White wedding, Court wedding, birthday parties, naming ceremonies, house dedication et cetera- covered by Cruise Nigeria, kindly contact yours sincerely by sending an email to obinna@cruisenigeria.com or if your are on BBM, here's  the PIN to add- 21D3AF34 Bless you!