The trays come in one after another: yams, fruits, kola nuts, honey, salt, drinks, fabrics and a suitcase. At a Yoruba traditional engagement, the presentation of items requested by the bride’s family is one of the most watched moments, followed closely by both families and often introduced with humour by the alaga, the master of ceremonies.
What eru iyawo means and what it includes
“Eru iyawo” roughly means the bride’s load or the items for the bride. It is the list of gifts the groom’s family brings to the engagement. Lists vary by family and region, but common items include tubers of yam, kola nuts and bitter kola, honey, salt, sugar, alligator pepper, palm oil, fruits, drinks, fabrics such as aso-oke and lace, jewellery, shoes and bags, and a Bible or Quran depending on the family’s faith.
Symbolism, owo ori and the suitcase
Many items carry symbolic meanings. Honey and sugar represent sweetness in marriage; salt represents flavour and preservation; kola nuts and bitter kola represent long life and endurance; yams and palm oil represent provision.
The bride price, sometimes called owo ori, is often modest and symbolic. Many families return it to the couple as a sign that they are not selling their daughter. A suitcase of clothes, shoes and accessories for the bride is common. Its contents vary with the groom’s budget.
Presentation, negotiation and costs
Items are often carried on decorated trays by young women from the groom’s side. The alaga ensures each item is presented and acknowledged, sometimes with jokes and song. A Bible or Quran signifies that the marriage will be guided by faith. The bride often picks it during the ceremony. Families sometimes negotiate items or quantities. Couples should discuss the list early and keep it reasonable.
The list, attire, food and entertainment can make engagements expensive. Planning and budgeting help.
Modern trends and the bride's dance
Some couples simplify the list or replace some items with cash. Many families now print the list neatly for the groom’s family. After the items are accepted, the bride often dances in with her friends, and the groom is called to prostrate before her family, a gesture of respect. Eru iyawo is a list of gifts, but it is also a statement of hopes for the marriage: sweetness, endurance, provision and faith, carried in on trays.
