Having been born and brought up in Nigeria, I’ve witnessed more than twenty traditional marriages across all the tribes from north, middle-belt, east, and south.
Nigerian groom traditional attire comes in various fabrics, sewing patterns, and uniqueness depending on the ethnic group, religion, and individual class.
However, Nigerian traditional weddings have a few things in common which are strong cultural presentation, and quality cooked food such as Pounded Yam, Jollof Rice, and more.
Let further ahead as I elaborate deeply on Nigerian groom’s traditional attires from Igbo, Tiv, Yoruba as well as Hausa and how to incorporate them in style for any wedding or occasion.
Tiv
Clothing is a vital part of every culture and the Tiv groom is no exception; his outfit is a colorful and culturally charged piece that portrays the heritage of the Tiv people of Nigeria.
The characteristic piece of this outfit is a black and white striped fabric called the ‘A’nger’, which is styled as a chic shawl or tunic. This pattern represents the togetherness and the socio-cultural character of the Tiv people.
Indeed, the groom usually wears a cap akin to the A’nger called Iboor to complete the royal appearance.
In their final touch, the groom wears neck beads and bead-wire on the wrist given that Tiv has well-ornated pieces of jewelry.
It can therefore be concluded that the grooming and dressing of the Tiv groom includes more than stylish dressing; it symbolizes pride and honor of the Tiv people on the wedding day.
Gbagyi
As for the groom’s outfit, the traditional Gbagyi attire combines vibrant and formal wear to express the unblemished culture of the Gbagyi people in central Nigeria.
Traditionally, the groom wears a flowing garment called ‘Babariga’ or ‘Agbada,’ which is commonly made from fine and brightly-colored yards with rich embroidery works.
This gown is normally worn with trousers of the same style that matches the gown and accompanied by a cap which may be the traditional “Okpu” cap or any fashionable one.
The attire is accompanied by beaded ornaments that are indicators of the affluent, and often a tipped or crafted metallic staff shows readiness by the groom to lead.
The color and cut of the outfit are selected to match the proper importance of the occasion, while white or cream remains a representation of purity or a fresh start.
All in all, it was seen that the dress used for the groom of Gbagyi origin and style is not simply an expression of cultural identity but it is also an external portrayal of the marriage that is being made.
Edo
The Edo groom’s outfit is colorful and elaborate and shows the rich cultural heritage of the Edo Kingdom; presenting it as a magnificent kingdom.
As for the groom, the traditional costume is a royal suit that includes, white or cream fabric called a “wrapper” tied around the waist majestically.
Worn with this is a lavishly worked shirt dubbed etibo and a velvet or damask cloth thrown over the shirt’s shoulders, which is synonymous with nobility.
An important component of the dress code is coral beads worn around the neck, wrist, and at times on the ankle is the sign of a royal background.
The groom also wears a beaded cap and alongside these, the two hold some degree of majesty. A furled horse hair fly whisk or beaded walking stick is ever a good addition to the dress making the look more majestic.
These clothes are an embodiment of individuality as well as a cultural bond that engages the guests and is an artful expression of the culture of the Edo people, therefore, the wedding ceremony appears as colorful and culturally charged.
Ikwerre
Grooms of the Ikwerre ethnic group that are domiciled in Rivers State, Nigeria, have articulate and exquisite traditional attire.
The traditional wear for a groom of Ikwerre origin includes a brightly tailored shirt referred to as the etibo which can be worn with trousers or a wrapper.
Such clothes are usually made of fine fabrics like damask, lace, or other quality fabric such as silk or good quality cotton to show the status of the groom and the propriety of the event.
This outfit is completed by the traditional headgear – a fez or cap with ornate patterns/decorations.
The color choice is crucial here, big shades of deep red, royal blue, and gold dominate the groom’s dress code to represent the wealth and power of the Ikwerre people.
Ijaw
This dressing code of the Ijaw groom symbolizes colorful and appealingly classy as it paints the generic picture of the Ijaw people of Nigeria.
Usually, the groom wears George, which is a flowery fabric, wrapped around the belly, and a long shirt or gown called buba.
Sometimes, they are accompanied by a modern bowler hat or a felt hat which gives the gown a more noble look. The groom is draped in bracelets and beads telling on his social class as being wealthy.
Salar accessories his outfit with a walking stick which is synonymous with authority and dignity and embroidered shoes.
The fabric used to make the groom’s outfit neatly stitched in traditional Ijaw styles is not only a symbol of a fine artisan but also of an individual who embraces cultural beliefs and customs and takes pride in his or her history.
Fabrics and Textiles Used in Groom’s Attire
Grooms wear formal and quality fabric and textiles to give the body the right and professional appeal.
These include the traditional wear for the groom whereby Nigeria comes with its nice fabrics and beautiful textures.
Some of the local fabrics include aso-oke, which is a hand-woven fabric from the Yoruba people typically worn during occasions such as weddings and important ceremonies.
Other fabrics preferred for this type of dress are brocade, damask, and guinea brocade because of their classy appearance with their beautiful designs and sheen.
Lace has also turned out to be popular for modern grooms, especially the Swiss and Austrian samples.
These fabrics are usually cut and sewn into beautiful and graceful agbada (fitted gowns), kaftan, or wedding aso-ebi wear with amazing embroidery or beadwork to make a beautiful and culturally required wedding dress.
Maintaining and Preserving Traditional Wedding Attire
In many cultures, traditional wedding dresses are worth emphasizing as they reflect the culture and history of people’s generations.
The process of maintaining these garments aims at preventing factors such as light, humidity, and pests from reaching the garments.
They shall be cleaned by a specialist, folded correctly, and stored using acid-free materials to ensure that their longevity is retained.
Further, recording the history and purpose of the garment helps to perpetuate the culture behind them in the future.
In this way, families and communities will be able to protect these valuable assets to pass down from generation to generation of families and cultural families.
Conclusion
Finally, the traditional wear of the Nigerian groom is a unique and colorful necessity among the Nigerian folk dancing bedecked in the splendid variety of ethnic clothes, customs, and traditions.
From the Yoruba Agbada to the Igbo Isiagu adorned with red cap, or indeed the grand Babban Riga of the Hausa-Fulani, as well as the A’nger of the Tiv; each apparel implies a history of prideful lineage, benevolent culture, and self-identity.
These are not mere apparels but a sign of superiority, dignified status, as well as feeling and appreciation for Nigerian and African traditions.
Through following these traditions, the Nigerian grooms ensure that they retain their cultural practices while at the same time cementing the strength of the diverse and beautiful Nigerian nation.
FAQ
What do Igbo grooms wear?
The Igbo grooms wear an Isiagu custom mostly with the head of a Lion, styled with a knitted hat of a combination of red, black, and white colors.
Yoruba Groom traditional attire
Most Yoruba grooms love putting on Ade ori okin caps and Danshiki or Sapara of blue, black, and orange colors.
Nigerian wedding attire for bride and groom
The attires worn by Nigerian brides and grooms in weddings are usually very colorful, with several details, and hold cultural value. Here’s an overview of traditional wedding attire for both bride and groom in Nigeria:
For the Bride:
Aso-Oke: Saris silks – A cloth that is hand woven and is frequently used in the making of elaborate gowns or wrapper sets.
Gele: A filet that can be rather large and which is gorgeous and folded in a very decorative manner.
Iro and Buba: A type of gown (iro) that is used in conjunction with a blouse-like garment (buba), and is made from lace, silk, or any other fine fabric.
Beaded accessories: Colors beads necklaces, Bracelets, and sometimes anklets.
For the Groom:
Agbada: A loose garment with youth bulging on the left side and wide sleeves reaching the ankles worn over trousers.
Dashiki: An embroidered pullover shirt of bright colors with similar color trousers.
Fila: Classic headwear that perfectly matches the image of the author of the text.
Aso-Oke: As for the groom, he might also put on clothes from this fabric as does the bride or his attendant.