It was a day of joy on Thursday, November 30, 2023, when the princely affair between Princess Sandra Timiyan from the Timiyan Royal family of Torububou quarter in Obotobo 1 community, Ogulagha Kingdom, and Mr. Harrison Panama from Olomoro Town in Isoko South, was cemented in a traditional marriage setting at the Udu area of Delta State.

The day is not only to be remembered, more specifically by the handsome groom, Mr. Panama, as a very important day in which he got married, but also as one in which he became part of a royal family by marriage, having fulfilled all requirements pertaining to the payment of the dowry of his beautiful bride.

As has become the tradition in the south, on arrival at the home of their suitor, the groom and his family were welcomed by the bride's family with drinks, water, kola nuts (symbolism for life), and cash, while the former also followed suit, before both families proceeded indoors to begin the business of the day—payment of the dowry.

Before the beautiful bride showed up on the conclusion of the payment of her dowry, the groom was given counsel on the identity of the bride as a princess to be so treated.

The height of the moment came in the traditional marriage when the beautiful princely bride, known as 'Ayoro' (an Ijaw term for a new wife), was escorted by a group of women into the arms of his groom, followed by prayers of blessings from an elder in the Timiyan Royal family, Capt. Mark Timiyan.

Like a winner of a trophy, the groom and his new princely bride cum wife, on their emergence outdoors, were appreciated by guests in attendance who had been invited and were patiently waiting for the celebration to begin. Thereafter, the newly married couple proceeded to their decorated stand to cut their traditional marriage cake and then guests were entertained with foods, drinks and music.

"Marriage is an honourable part of humanity ordained by God," said an uncle of the bride, Chief George Timiyan (JP), in whose residence the ceremony held. "I urge the newly married couple to remain in love and do things together as one. That is the essence of marriage, they're no longer two persons but are now one person," he added.

A renowned member of the Ogulagha Traditional Council, Chief Prefugha Karawei (JP), said the atmosphere of joy that is witnessed in marriage is such that should continue in the lives of the couple as he charged them to live everyday of their lives like it was the first day of their marriage.

Another chieftain and woman leader of Ogulagha Kingdom Urban Women popularly known as Agbonu Women, Chief (Mrs.) Ebikebina Benidiwei JP, said it is an honourable thing for a suitor to come seek for the hand of a woman and as such they, particularly the Agbonu women, are happy.

She counseled the bride to always "listen to her husband, and most importantly she should be obedient" while to the groom she said "take care of your wife; not every side talk from an outsider should be followed". She also added that both couple have a responsibility to listen to each other so that "they will be excellent husband and wife tomorrow."

What does it take to marry a Princess? Or put differently, what does it take to marry the daughter of a king? Or yet, what does it take to become a part of royalty? While I leave readers to reflect on these questions that are but one, I refer to Shonna Slayton, author of several fairytale novels, who, from Lessons from Grimm: How to Marry a Princess, wrote, "In a fairy tale, if you want to marry a princess, you’ve got a lot of work ahead of you. You will be asked to demonstrate great strength, wisdom, and the ability to get along with others. Also, patience, long-suffering, and above all else, courage."

Well, if there is one other thing that is more powerful than those traits mentioned, it is LOVE. Looking at the handsome and beautiful couple as they hobnob together in their decorated stand in the venue, that four-lettered word but powerful feeling seem to take lead in their union. Congratulations to Mr. and Princess Harrison Panama.

View more photos on Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02DcrvxPUT98x4ZjU3EsMAYGVkfWRfSasjYHH5HmjmfbKagQTeZDugpdnQ7b1R4Z48l&id=100041939655507&mibextid=Nif5oz

#penglobalsocial #marriage