In a bid to address the increasing challenges faced by young men and women in finding suitable life partners, the traditional ruler of the Tiv nation, His Imperial Majesty, Professor James Ayatse, has issued a groundbreaking directive aimed at reducing the financial burden associated with traditional marriage ceremonies.
The announcement, which limits the total expenses surrounding bride prices among Tiv parents to N100,000 or less, has been met with widespread acclaim.
The prevailing economic hardships in the country have contributed to the growing number of unmarried individuals desperately seeking life partners. The inability to secure well-paying jobs, coupled with societal pressures to conform to extravagant marriage customs, has rendered marriages unattainable for many young graduates.
However, investigations conducted in Benue State have revealed a departure from the traditional practice of demanding exorbitant bride prices, particularly for highly educated brides. The exorbitant financial demands placed on prospective grooms and their families have been identified as a major deterrent to marriage, thereby prolonging the single status of many eligible individuals.
The recent directive by the Tor Tiv to limit bride prices to N100,000 or less has been hailed as a significant step towards restoring the Tiv people’s cultural heritage and encouraging marriage within the community. The pronouncement has elicited joy and widespread support, as it is believed to provide an opportunity for individuals from all walks of life to embark on the sacred journey of matrimony.
Mrs. Tina Emmanuel, a middle-aged lady, expressed her delight with the directive, emphasizing its potential to revive the Tiv tradition of modest bride prices. She stated, “This is a welcome development. Previously, even within my own family in Tarka LGA, eligible grooms were expected to pay as much as N500,000 or N300,000 as bride price, in addition to other costly traditional requirements. I’m pleased that we are returning to our roots, where traditional marriages were celebrated with fewer expenses.”
While embracing the directive, Mrs. Emmanuel urged the Tiv traditional council to ensure strict enforcement, expressing concerns that affluent individuals might disregard the prescribed limits.
Retired Comptroller of Prison, Iorbee Ihagh, and President General of Mzough U Tiv Worldwide, lauded the Tor Tiv’s directive as a welcome development. Ihagh, who exemplified this progressive approach during his daughter’s wedding by accepting a modest bride price of N5,000.00, emphasized the importance of leading by example. He lamented the intrusion of borrowed customs into Tiv marriage practices, which had resulted in elaborate ceremonies with thousands of attendees, contrary to the simplicity of traditional Tiv weddings.
Joseph Anawah, a community leader and former aide to former governor Gabriel Suswam, welcomed the Tor Tiv’s announcement while highlighting the Tiv tradition of “elopement” as an alternative marital practice. Anawah acknowledged that the current trend of extravagant traditional marriages deviated from the original customs of the Tiv people. He recalled that in the past, marriages were sealed with a simple exchange of cowries or a nominal sum, such as his mother’s marriage, which cost just two pounds.
Freddie Adamgbe, the Special Assistant to the Tor Tiv on Media and ICT, revealed that the directive was a response to the concerns raised by young individuals within the Tiv community regarding the escalating costs associated with traditional marriage ceremonies. The decision to cap expenses at N100,000.00 was reached following consultations with the INJITAMEN, the Supreme Council of the Tiv nation, comprising traditional rulers, stakeholders, and elders.
The Tor Tiv’s directive to reduce bride prices has sparked optimism and enthusiasm among the Tiv community, as it represents a significant step towards preserving their cultural heritage while alleviating the financial burden faced by many young individuals seeking to embark on the sacred institution of marriage.
