HAUSA TRADITONAL MARRIAGE (AWURE)
Nigeria is a blessed country with different diversity in
culture, one of the amazing cultural practice is the traditional marriage of
the hausa tribe.The Hausas are the most
populated tribe in Nigeria found in the northern parts of Nigeria and other
parts of West Africa. What makes their wedding traditions unique is the fact
that their wedding is not as expensive as many other tribes in Nigeria. Which
in turn makes it easy for young lovers to be married successfully.
The Hausa traditional marriage is inspired by the Islamic and
Sharia laws being the fact that they are mostly Muslims.
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| Kudin Gasuwa |
When a man sees a lady he
likes, he will approach her with his intentions for her, then they schedule their
meeting periods which is usually done in the compound of the girl’s house. They
observe each other characters, likes and dislikes, and to also know if they are
compatible with each other’s behavior. It is also very common in Hausa tribe
for cousins to marry each other they call it “Auren dangi”.
DIVISION OF WEDDING RESPONSIBILITIES
One special thing about hausa tradition system of marriage is
the division of marriage process responsibilities. This responsibilities
division takes place between the groom and the bride family.
The Groom is responsible for providing the house they are going
live in, the sadaki (dauri), kayan lefe (clothes, boxes and other cosmetics
items), Na gani ina so (Declaring his intention), Kudin Gasuwa (formal
introduction and marriage date fixing), and Kudin Hidimomin Biki (Wedding day
programme expenses).
The Bride family is responsible for providing the Kayan dayki
(Furniture of the house: Cushing Chair, Bedroom furniture), Kitchen equipment and
some basic food stuff).
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| Kayan Lefe |
COMPONENTS OF HAUSA
TRADITION MARRIAGE
(1) Na gani ina so
(2) Kai Kudin Gasuwa
(3) Kayan Lefe
(4) Kayan Dayki
(5) Sadaki
(6) Hidimomin Bikin Aure (Wedding Day)
Ø NA
GANI INA SO
When they are finally ready to settle down together, the man
will come to formally introduce himself to the girl’s parents which is commonly
known as “Na gani ina so” and then make his intension known to the girl’s
parents and also ask for their permission to court their daughter. The family
of the lady will then conduct an investigation on the man to know his
background and his religious believes. He is allowed to meet the girl only if
they are pleased with the results. The two prospect couple are not allowed to
spent too much time together nor have any physical contact before the marriage.
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| Amariya |
Ø KAI
KUDIN GAISUWA
Once the girl accepts the marriage proposal, the groom can now proceed
to the next step by sending his parents and relatives to formally seek for the
girl’s hand in marriage. This process is
called “Gaisuwa”. The most common method of seeking a girl’s hand in marriage
is by presenting some gifts and money, and the family of the groom to-be make
their intention clear during this visit. If the family of the girl accepts
those gifts, that means they have agreed to give out their daughter's hand in
marriage to the groom’s family.
The bargain for
bride’s dowry price begins right there and also the wedding date is also fixed. The process of fixing the
wedding date is called "Sa rana". The both families then begin
preparing for the wedding.
Islamic teaching
teaches that less amount paid as bride dowry price produces the most blessed
marriage. This is also
encouraged to make marriage easy and more affordable.
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| Na gani ina so |
Ø KAYAN LEFE
The lefe is the Hausa traditional wedding rite that asks the
groom to present some beautiful and expensive items for his bride. It is
usually presented by the groom’s female relatives, in some cases the groom
provide the money for the lefe to the bride to prevent some issues of
differences in taste. All the relatives of the bride are present when the lefe
is being presented. Upon arrival, the bride’s family provide some refreshments
like food and drinks to the guests. The lefe is usually presented in boxes
which they call “Akwati”. Items included
in kayan lefe for an average man includes: a set of
boxes( 5 or 6 pieces).One big box (worth 100,000 and above), minimum
of 15 wrappers, 5 pieces of lace, abayas, guinea brocade, set
of head veils, Jewelry, underwear, night gowns, cosmetics, shoes and bags and
other materials.
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| Kayan Lefe |
Ø SADAKI
The term sadaki refers to dowry which the groom offers to the
bride. It is considered as one of the most sacred rites. Islam teaches that a
lesser sadaki paid produces a more blessed marriage. The money being paid as
bride price is being announced to the hearing of everyone present. The bride
price could be money paid in cash, installment, or it could be labor for the
bride. The bride, a divorced woman or a widow ususually decide what she wants
for her bride price.
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| Kudin Sadaki |
Ø THE
WEDDING DAY
The wedding day is also called the wedding fatiha. The wedding
fatiha is usually organized in the mosque with only males present. The bride
and the groom family will be present in the mosque together with the imam that
will join the two couple according to the Islamic right. In most cases the
Groom and the Bride will have representatives from both families called the
waliyyi. The groom is also allowed to receive his wife himself in some cases if
the group is matured enough to do so. While the bride must have a
representative in all case.
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| Kayan Daiki |
Women are not expected to be seen in the mosque where wedding
Fatiha takes place rather they are to be with the bride celebrating her last
day as a single and also prepare her for the married life.The bride sit in the
midst of her best female friends, relax and decorate her lovely fingers and
feet with henna (Lalle), and her friends also decorate theirs too. The bride in
Hausa is called "Amarya” and the groom is called "Ango”
Finally at the wedding reception (Walima), food and drinks are
being served to the guests, some entertainments and preaching also takes place.
Kai Amarya (Escorting the bride to her groom’s house)
After the wedding, the bride friends and family members
accompanied the bride to her husband's home to be well welcomed by the groom's
family. They chant songs on their way and carry all the bride's belongings with
them.
The above is the full procedure of hause marriage system.
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| Amariya da Angwo |