A moment from the recent traditional wedding of popular fashion influencer Akin Faminu and his bride, Kiky Festus, has sparked a heated debate over Igbo culture and tradition.
The ceremony, which was held in Lagos, drew attention after the bride’s mother, an Igbo woman, took part in the Igba Nkwu (wine-carrying) ceremony by blessing and handing the ceremonial palm wine to her daughter, who then presented it to her groom.
Traditionally, the wine-carrying ritual is often performed by a male member of the bride’s family, such as her father, brother or uncle, who presents the wine to the bride to identify and locate her groom.
The decision to have the bride’s mother perform the role has generated mixed reactions online, with some describing it as a welcome adaptation of tradition, while others argued that it departed from established Igbo customs.
Arise TV presenter criticises the decision
Reacting to the viral moment, Arise TV presenter Chidiebere Nwobodo strongly criticised the decision, insisting that the role should traditionally be performed by a male member of the bride’s family.
“When it comes to Igbo culture, this is totally wrong. I am not going to lie to you. That particular custom, in terms of pouring wine for the bride to go search and locate her groom is meant for the man. If the father is late, they can pass it to the son or an Uncle, it is not for women, I know that it is cute. A lot of women all about women empowerment will like it but traditionally, this is totally wrong.” he said
Nwobodo argued that where there is no male relative available to perform the role, the family should consider skipping that part of the ceremony rather than changing the tradition.
Female colleague disagrees
However, his female colleague, Nicole Abebe, disagreed with his position, arguing that cultural practices should be adaptable to individual family circumstances.
She referenced a social media post questioning the authority of traditions passed down by deceased generations and said she would personally accept her mother performing the ritual if her father, brothers or male relatives were unavailable.
“Someone on social media out a post saying’ ‘Culture and tradition is peer pressure from de@d people, ’ and I agree. Who was present in my family? If my father wasn’t present in my family, lets say I don’t have any brothers or village uncles from anywhere, then my mother 100% is going to collect it”
The exchange has reignited discussions about the place of tradition in modern Nigerian weddings, particularly over whether long-established cultural practices should remain unchanged or be adapted to reflect individual family circumstances.