In a candid Facebook Live session, Mercy Yusuf offered a rare and insightful look into the marriage customs of the Mada people, a unique ethnic group in central Nigeria.
She revealed a culture steeped in tradition yet marked by flexibility, where dowry practices vary from family to family but remain symbolic and respectful.
“The Mada community have not unified dowry for all its clans,” Yusuf explained.
“Different families have their templates.”
Despite this lack of standardization, there are core elements that are considered compulsory when a man seeks to marry a Mada woman.
These include:
- Goats: Having specific gender combinations depending on the clan
- Soft drinks, especially Maltina
- Gifts for the bride’s mother, such as a mat and a bucket, and
- Dowry
Mercy made emphasis on the importance of specificity, particularly when it comes to the malt drink. “Not Beta Malt, or Malta Guinness, but Maltina,” she said, indicating how even brand choice carries cultural weight.
The Requirement of Goats
Goats are central to the dowry, but the requirements are far from arbitrary. Some clans demand two female goats and one male; others may request three males and one female.
“If a man brings otherwise, they will not accept,” Yusuf noted.
Even the age of the goats matters – young ones may be rejected if deemed unsuitable.
Considerable Dowry Amounts
While other items may be specific, the financial expectations are often flexible.
“The Mada people are very considerate and would not impose what goes beyond a man,” Yusuf said.
Dowry amounts can range from ₦20,000 to ₦100,000, depending on the family. In some cases, the bride herself determines the amount her suitor is expected to pay.
“Some brides decide the price,” Yusuf revealed.
On Wrappers, Boxes, and Others
Beyond livestock and money, the groom is expected to provide clothing for the bride, usually wrappers and other garments, packed in boxes ahead of the wedding. However, Yusuf noted that,
“Some ladies may cover up for the man, stating that they will be bought after marriage.”
Interestingly, the bride also plays a role in furnishing the new home. She is responsible for providing cushions, kitchen utensils, and other household basics.
Yusuf further touched on historical practices, noting that older generations of Mada people used to present beans to the bride’s mother. However, it is now a tradition primarily observed by the neighboring Eggon community.
