Edo State, South-South Nigeria, is the home of history, culture and tradition. As you well know, culture is the totality of a people’s way of life, including language, mode of dressing, and so on.
When it comes to cultural attire, the Edo people of Nigeria maintain a unique way of dressing. Coral bead accessories are a true passion for Edo women and men. This extends to marriage customs.
Marriage in Edo State is usually very colorful. Edo men and women are required to use the cultural attire on their traditional wedding day. They are accompanied by asoebi girls and little groom and bride who dance along with the couple as they come out.
Red (Ododo)
One prominent thing you will notice about Edo traditional marriage attire is the colour red (ododo). You may have been wondering why Edo brides wear red clothing and coral beads during their traditional wedding. Wonder no more. The red flannel cloth (Ododo) is the traditional colour of the Edo-speaking people. It represents Edo culture, tradition, royalty and nobility. It was introduced into the then Benin Empire during the reign of Oba Ewuare the Great (about 1440AD-1473AD).
The colour red holds uttermost significance to the fashion, lifestyle, culture and tradition of Edo people alongside coral beads.
Edo beads
Coral beads worn by Edo men and women of Nigeria are symbolic of power, prestige, wealth, royalty and beauty. They are worn mostly during Edo traditional weddings and cultural events. Historically, beads featured prominently in Edo royal symbolism, but the richest beads were made from red corals, not from glass or stone. The striking red coral beads were used for everything from royal veils to full length royal cassocks. They were held to contain power to transform things, to effect outcome.
An Edo bride wears the Edo wedding attire for her traditional wedding. The rich and regal outfit consists mostly of beaded coral attires. She also has her hair made into a unique hairstyle known as ‘Eto-Okuku’. Coral beads are then sewn into the hair which form a crown on her head known as ‘Okuku’.
Edo brides tie beautiful red wrappers or red gowns made from different fabrics including velvet, lace and George. Over the wrapper tied at their chest, some Edo brides wear the Ewu-Ivie, a beaded cape or blouse. They also adorn their necks with coral beads.
To complete the regal traditional Edo wedding look, brides bedeck their necks and hands with beads known as ‘Ivie-uru’ and ‘Ivie-obo’, wear beaded earrings and carry a handbag made out of coral beads as well.
Though the traditional bridal attire is mainly for brides, it has over time crept into modern fashion trends and is now used by celebrities for mostly birthday photoshoot. Nollywood actresses Mercy Johnson Okojie, Linda Osifo, Mercy Aigbe, Nancy Isime and many others have been sighted at different times rocking the outfits. From their headpiece to the traditional beads adorning their wrists and necks, the beautiful women understood the assignment and they delivered.
The men are not left out
When it comes to cultural attire, Edo men don’t joke. They happily wear white shirt and a white or red skirt below it.
The attire is usually accompanied by a cap. The caps are often called headdress and are made either of a mesh of coral beads or of fabric.
It is also popular for the men to choose a carved beaded walking stick that makes a groom look like a true gentleman.
