Hello,

I am conducting some research on the Ika Akilika ceremony in Igbo land - specificlaly Nri land.

Can people familiar with the process describe it in detail.

Also very importantly, please advise if the groom's presence in the room where the Ika Akilika is performed is required or optional or taboo (i.e. groom must not be there).

Many thanks.

Any one with inforation to share concerning the question posed in this thread?!

Glad to hear from you!

NRI_PRIEST, ndaa gi?

He's busy na-achughari Maria.

ifyalways: He's busy na-achughari Maria.

Hahaha...Ify,nekwa abu m na ife adiro ya.
I will like to know what this tradition is all about. We may call it something else. And remember that of the ancient Nri traditions are going extict but I will ask my father for more details on it.

Hello,

I hope some one can share info on this. This ceremony is the actual bride price ceremony. In my initial post I spelt it incorrectly, it appears. It is Akirika [/i]not [i]Akilika. Though, it seems some dialects do spell it Akilika.

Can Nri Priest and other shw are familair iwth nri customs shed light on this. I am particulalr een to know if the groom's presence in the room where the Akirika is perfrmed is required, optional or taboo/forbidden.

Please do share your knowledge! Many thanks

MRAE: Hello,

I hope some one can share info on this. This ceremony is the actual bride price ceremony. In my initial post I spelt it incorrectly, it appears. It is Akirika [/i]not [i]Akilika. Though, it seems some dialects do spell it Akilika.

Can Nri Priest and other shw are familair iwth nri customs shed light on this. I am particulalr een to know if the groom's presence in the room where the Akirika is perfrmed is required, optional or taboo/forbidden.

Please do share your knowledge! Many thanks

Now I know exactly what you are talking about; its a segment during the "ibu ego" nwanyi. Not "igba nkwu". Its usually done with an object like broom stick or some kind of little sticks. The groom is usually present but do not have a say during the practice. Infact,the groom doesn't have to be there,but if he is,then he will just be an observer.

Now that's even more confusing, biko, what really do they do? What does the ceremony signify? Is it still in vouge?

Ify nwa mma...kedu maka nwoke Aro?
Ify,the practice signifies the actual "dowries" paying. These is usually done by the oldest men and "ndi nze na ozo"from both families. The groom could be present but he is there as an observer.He could also stay outside if he chooses but he doesn't even have to be present..As forthe bride,she must not be there and no woman is allowed. During these course the bride price is bargained and a price reached. They usually do these in a very quiet and hidden place and you will never hear what the elders are saying because they whisper and speak in riddles.Children are chased away from the vicinity. They will usually use some kind of special sticks for the bargaining and sometimes it takes hours,depending on how much the bride is valued. One time a traditional wedding was taking place at my house when I was very young and I saw bunch of red hat chiefs from my family and the grooms stood up,walked away from our house to our neighbors,go inside a room and closed the door behind them. They were there for several hours and it made me and my younger brother to walk through some hedges to go eavedrop.We listened,heard voices but couldn't hear what they were saying.Later asked my mother and she says "fa jee ikpo onu nwanyi".

Odenigbo! Thanks for sharing your insights with us.

Question: You've made it clear that the groom can be present as an observer but his presence is not required. However, would it be proper for the groom to be explicitly banned from the room where the Akirika ceremony is taking place?

Thanks.

Odenigbo Aroli: Ify nwa mma...kedu maka nwoke Aro?
Ify,the practice signifies the actual "dowries" paying. These is usually done by the oldest men and "ndi nze na ozo"from both families. The groom could be present but he is there as an observer.He could also stay outside if he chooses but he doesn't even have to be present..As forthe bride,she must not be there and no woman is allowed. During these course the bride price is bargained and a price reached. They usually do these in a very quiet and hidden place and you will never hear what the elders are saying because they whisper and speak in riddles.Children are chased away from the vicinity. They will usually use some kind of special sticks for the bargaining and sometimes it takes hours,depending on how much the bride is valued. One time a traditional wedding was taking place at my house when I was very young and I saw bunch of red hat chiefs from my family and the grooms stood up,walked away from our house to our neighbors,go inside a room and closed the door behind them. They were there for several hours and it made me and my younger brother to walk through some hedges to go eavedrop.We listened,heard voices but couldn't hear what they were saying.Later asked my mother and she says "fa jee ikpo onu nwanyi".

Odenigbo! Thanks for sharing your insights with us.

Question: You've made it clear that the groom can be present as an observer but his presence is not required. However, would it be proper for the groom to be explicitly banned from the room where the Akirika ceremony is taking place?

Nairalanders other than Odenigbo are free to answer if they are familiar with the ceremony.

Thanks.