Special Meanings of 7 Yoruba Traditional Wedding Gifts You Should Know

Special Meanings of 7 Yoruba Traditional Wedding Gifts You Should Know

If you know the Yoruba culture very well, then you know that almost everything Yorubas do has a meaning. And they take major events, like weddings or the birth of a child, very seriously. You only need to take a look at Yoruba names to understand. Every child is named based on the circumstances of her birth or events surrounding her birth. Children can be named after their grandparents or given long standing family names. Either way, with the Yoruba culture, everything means something.

That’s why the bridal gifts for a Yoruba traditional wedding ceremony are chosen very specifically because they mean something. These gifts are collectively called “Eru Iyawo” and the list varies with each family and locality. However, most lists share some items in common. Here are seven of them and what they mean for the new marriage:

Bible/Quran

This is brought to show that the couple needs God in their union. The bride is asked to choose the gift which is most important to her and she’s expected to pick this one.

Sugar and Honey

This is to show that the marriage will be sweet.

Bitter Kola (Orogbo)

Used to pray that the couple will grow old together.

Salt

Salt is never expected to finish in a home so this is meant to signify abundance.

Aadun (A snack made from corn flour, palm oil and spices)

A symbol that there will be joy in the new marriage.

42 Tubers of yam (Isu) and 42 pieces of dried Fish (Eja Osan)

To show that the husband is able to cater for a large family.

Baskets of fruits

This is a symbol of fruitfulness to show that the couple will have many children.

Is there any special wedding tradition in your area? Share with us below.