What Akwa Ibom brides wear on their traditional wedding day
This article will be focused on the beautiful pieces Akwa Ibom brides wear and their cultural significance.
The Akwa Ibom bride has two quite unique looks to choose from
or she could adorn one outfit after another.
The very first of one usually worn by an Akwa Ibom bride is popularly
known as the Ofod Ukod Anwang or the mkpin depending on what part of Akwa Ibom you are from.
This attire consist of a knee- length skirt wrapped around the
waist (most times with ruffles or pleats at the tip of the skirt) and a half beaded blouse that covers only half of the torso. This attire will not be complete without the accessories worn around the hand and legs. This fluffy accessories worn around the hand and leg is known as Ekpa ku kwa.
Most times, it is the Mkpin attire that the brides wears for her first outing with her bride’s maids.
The second look is called Onyonyo, and it is usually a stunning flowing gown often adorned with lace and beads/jewels. The dress is also frequently worn with coral beads around the neck as an accessory.
Both outfits would not be complete without the impressive hairstyle, which often consists of an updo at the top and flowing or braided long hair at the back decorated with plenty of brass combs and hairpins. A woman with such a hairstyle looks (and probably feels) like a queen on her big day. To add to this almost regal attire, women also carry golden staffs that are usually adorned with ruffled fabrics. Tell me what is not to love about this attire?
What Akwa Ibom groom wear on his traditional wedding day
Traditional Akwa Ibom groom does not appear any less appealing than their bride as they are also colourfully adorned in their traditional Akwa Ibom regalia. So, while attending any wedding in Akwa Ibom, be sure to be treated to one of the most colouful events ever.
Men in Akwa Ibom State do not look any less fascinating than women do. Their looks are also always interesting, as they consist of different elements that make them special.
Let’s move from the head down and look at all of these pieces in more detail.
The head is usually covered with a cap. Their caps are beautifully adorned with shinning beads just like the shoes.
From the neck, you can find a long piece of cloth tied around the neck called Okpomkpomon. It is worn like a long scarf and tied several times in knots or with other fabric. The colour of the cloth usually matches either the outfit of the bride or the wrapper around the hips. Some men choose to go for coral beads instead of the Okpomkpomon.
Still around the torso, some men decide to embellish the attire by wearing a best which has same beaded design as the caps they wear.
The torso in this traditional outfit is often covered with a long white chieftain shirt. It can end there, or the man might choose to wear a black beaded vest that often has the same ornamental designs as the native cap.
From the hip down to the heel is usually covered with a traditional wrapper called Usobo. It is a long piece of shiny cloth that reaches the ankles. This cloth is wrapped around the waist and tied at the hip.
