In order to reduce the rate of promiscuity in girls, a virgin girl ceremony was organized and held in Ogu town, Rivers state.
This ceremony is known as Iria, a Wakirike tradition that requires teenage daughters to get certified as virgins before they are given out in marriage.
This tradition has been in existence for a long time. The elders ensure the girls are presented in ways that do not violate the demands of the tradition. Their clothes, hair style and skin appearance are thoroughly screened by the elders before the ceremony.
Parents are expected to make their teenage daughters participate in this ceremony before she can be married off to a man. The girls who are certified to be real virgins will be given gifts and blessed by the chiefs during the ceremony.
The girls who do well and are certified as true virgins are presented with the certificate of virginity which is signed under the authority of the Amanyanabo-in-Council of Ogu.
This ceremony is known as Iria, a Wakirike tradition that requires teenage daughters to get certified as virgins before they are given out in marriage.
This tradition has been in existence for a long time. The elders ensure the girls are presented in ways that do not violate the demands of the tradition. Their clothes, hair style and skin appearance are thoroughly screened by the elders before the ceremony.
Parents are expected to make their teenage daughters participate in this ceremony before she can be married off to a man. The girls who are certified to be real virgins will be given gifts and blessed by the chiefs during the ceremony.
The girls who do well and are certified as true virgins are presented with the certificate of virginity which is signed under the authority of the Amanyanabo-in-Council of Ogu.
