Once upon a weekend in September, the last week of the month to be precise, there was an event in attended that made the month memorable. It was the traditional marriage of my friend's sister. September was a month I attended the most weddings and this was how my day went in general.
It was a sanitation day and I did my best to ensure that everywhere was clean and tidy before going out to study the bible with one of my students who waited in his home for my arrival. After my daily activities, I responded to the invitation before going to the market to purchase food items for the house.
You needed to see the way marketers were looking at me as if I was a comedian or it was unlikely of a guy to enter the market. Some of them felt they could play prices with me not knowing I'm worse than a woman in terms of purchase in the market. Generally, the prices of things in Nigeria has skyrocketed to the extent that people are conscious of how they spend and what they spend on.
Purchasing Foodstuffs in the market |
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As the man of the house in the absence of my sister and mother, I planned on cooking soup for my brother and father. So I did my purchases on Melon Soup. Thankfully, the melon was already there and I didn't have to purchase it. All I did was get it grounded and this was at a considerable rate. I priced as if it were my mother doing the marketing.
| Item | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Grounded Melon | 400 naira - 1.3 steems | 3 Cups |
| Waterleaf | 300 naira - 1 steem | 3 rounds |
| Stock fish | 600 naira - 2 steems | 1 |
| Periwinkle | 300 naira - 1 steem | 1 peak Tin |
| Miscellaneous | 1200 naira - 4.1 steems | NA |
Total = 2800 naira - 9.7 steems |
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After making these purchases, I left the market in preparation for the traditional marriage, slated to hold by 3pm Nigerian time. On my way home, I saw @alli001 who walked me down to a point before changing lanes. He was heading towards the marriage axis or venue with his friends which is some kilometres away from my house.
I left them to prepare at home for the wedding. This was going to be my third time, attending the traditional marriage of someone close to me. With my native attire, I decided to appear as an Ibibio man that I am. The problem or difficulty I had was tying the wrapper well. Since it was a stone throw from my house, I had to Trek down to the venue.
On getting there, I met friends and brothers I knew from a distance. Was so surprised seeing most of them there. My main aim was to add light to the wedding and fill it with awe with mobile photography. I was the alternate photographer that day and also came to dance and eat. In my culture, the groom always prepare with his people in a house different from the house the bride the would be.
The very essence of this is for the bride and groom to be brought forward to meet other. As an acting photographer, I started with the groom's side. He was happy to me turn up for his marriage. I took pictures of him in his native attire. After this, I took to refilling my stomach with foods and drinks so I'll have the strength to do my job probably.
Unfortunately, I was stopped from eating. I given only drinks to drink while food was to be after the event. I wasn't myself but still had to do what I was told to do. The event started with the call on the groom's relative to take bring the man that wants to marry the daughter of another family. Since my job was to video and snap, I took it seriously though I knew the couple.
The groom danced in his contour with his men protecting his movements and guiding his steps. The groom was brought to the venue and presented to the audience to confirm if this man or he may have been switched. The affirmative unison showed that he was the one and no other person. He was then tested to fitness before taken to his ready-made palace to sit and wait for his bride to be to show up.
I headed to where the bride was dressed and then gave her a clean capture before she was finally taken out to meet her darling husband. The wife was beautifully dressed with her fashion designer by her side. She got captured with her siblings by me. The songs played were for her to dance gracefully to meet her husband. Her husband was so happy to see his wife dressed in such beauty. I was also shocked because I couldn't recognize her again.
My aim was to stick to my job as always. I did what I knew how to do best while the couples did their job. I met my friends who also came out in their attire and took pictures with them. It was almost getting late in the evening and I haven't eaten. I still forged ahead with my work when the order of photography was called upon. I did justice to this though I won't share all photographs to avoid making this post lengthy.
After taking pictures with my mobile, I took to showing the audience that I was available and haven't eaten in case food is exhausted. I displayed this frustration by dancing hard to the point that every eyes were on me. It was then some people acknowledged my presence and called me in to eat specially, commending me for the photography job well done. This is a video of my dance.
After eating to my satisfaction, I left home a happy man that I've actually accomplished something that day, I've showcased my skills using my mobile in case of any hire. That was how my day ended. So hectic.