The Engine tribe is found in Mom Division in the North West Region of Cameroon. I have been fascinated by the way marriage is celebrated in my tribe and have always admired the way the ceremony is done. Over the years there has been a lot of modification or some changes however the concept remains the same. When a boy is of age, usually from 21 years old, he is considered ready to start a family. The pressure of getting married comes from the family in most cases the mother.
It is honorable to a family to have their child marry. In the past, it was usually the parent's who will find a lady for the boy but it is not like that anymore. The process begins when the family finds a suita
...ble girl for their son. The father of the boy will pay an impromptu visit to the girl's compound to see her father to inform him that he has seen something in his household that is of interest to him. "l have seen a hen in your yard that I would like to get for my strong rooster" If he has more than one daughter he will try to inquire which one is it.
If he is okay with the background of the requesting family he will concur. If not he will Just tell him that the Hen" is reserved for someone else. If they agree then the boys father will return home to prepare for an official visit. This is what we call "knock door ceremony' or an engagement ceremony. On the arranged date, the family of the boy will bring
a Rooster, a goat and at least 20 litters of Raffia Palm wine, with cola nuts, a large pot of plantain cooked in palm oil with smoke fish or meat .
The family elder, the boy and his parent's, and key family members, would carry the things as they head to the house of the girl. When they arrive, they are greeted by the other family who have also gathered key family embers in the house waiting for their guests. They will be received, and drinks will be served as welcome. During the drinking when everyone is seated then the elder of the boys family will rise and call the room to order. He will then officially make his announcement why they are there.
And they will present their drink and the hen in the center of the room. At this time the father of the girl will call her into the room, and tell her what is going on. In most cases this is usually the first time she will find out if her mother has not hinted her in the back. The father will ask her if she is okay with their request. If she accepts, wine will be poured into a horn cup; this is usually the cup that the elder keeps for the family.
She will take it and pass it on to father who will drink from it and everyone will rejoice. The girl's father will take the floor and talk to the other family. My daughter has accepted your son, so now we can eat and drink what you have brought. Dancing eating and drinking will ends the engagement
ceremony. The family will return home and start planning for the real traditional wedding that will include everyone from families, friends and neighbors.
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