Here Comes Our Bride!: An African Wedding Story

by Ifeoma Onyefulu (Illustrator)

The stunning sights and sounds of a Nigerian wedding are vividly brought to life in Ifeoma Onyefulu's new picture book. The different traditions and customs of this African wedding are explored and explained through the eyes of one young spectator. We see the preparations made by the whole community in anticipation of the traditional African ceremony and second religious ceremony.

Genres: Africa, Picture Books, Nigeria

32 pages, Hardcover

First published June 29, 2004

Reviews

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whenever I find a book written by Ifeoma Onyefulu, I add it to my library! This book won the Children's Africana Award for Best Book Young Children in 2005. First published in Great Britain and subsequently published in the US in 2008, the informational book with photographs taken by the author, tells the story of a Nigerian wedding. Young children can see the joy of this occasion and compare this wedding with one that they are familiar with in their own countries. The pictures compliment the text to help children understand that even though they may look a bit different, weddings take place all over the world! The author's African Ceremonies series is one that should be in every classroom!

[Ch_ebonysmith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book about a traditional Nigerian wedding. A young boy, Ekinadose, eager awaits his opportunity to go a wedding all of friends have been to weddings and he just can't wait. He finally gets his chance when his Uncle Osaere marries his Aunt Efosa (in Nigerian culture you call your elders Aunt and Uncle out of respect).
The wedding starts with his Uncle's family coming to try to impress their potential in laws. They make him sound very good they say he was a "good doctor from a good family...". Next, they have to get all the items from a list generated by the bride's family. The list is important because each item has some type of special meaning or purpose. Also, it shows if the man can provide for his new bride.
Next, after the items are brought to the family, the bride is presented to groom. "An old man" rings a bell and draws lines on the floor with a piece of chalk. He says some words like a prayer. He pours some schnapps on the floor for the ancestors to drink and he passes the chalk and schnapps to the bride and groom. They draw on the floor to make a wish for the future and they are married.The second wedding takes place later in a church, mosque, or registry office.
It is important for children to see the diversity of the world. There are many types of weddings that children can learn about. American children need to have their horizons broaden. The world is a big place and it is important to bring as much diversity in the class as possible. A wedding is a very special moment in life and children should know different types o wedding traditions.
Because of the simplicity, it can be for younger readers; however because of its content older readers can read it to learn about the traditional Nigerian wedding.

[Elizabeth]

It's interesting learning about these Nigerian wedding traditions, some of which are so different from what I'm used to and even feel a little off-putting but are clearly rooted in good reasons. Also, the bride on the cover is so beautiful.