Here Comes Our Bride!: An African Wedding Story Book

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.