Opinions needed...

[Clockwatcher]

Originally Posted by virgoluv

i think it was originally a yoruba thing(correct me if i am wrong) becos aso-ebi is a yoruba word, but everyone does it now.

Not a Yoruba thing. In Ivory Coast, we had a country Aso-Ebi for the turn of the millenium. See everyone wearing the same material on Jan 1.

[Vivrantism]

Originally Posted by Ariya

I think it's a beautiful thing to see your immediate and extended family wearing the same colors and patterns on a special occasion like that. The concept is not that foreign to most people. Anybody who's been to a black-tie event or any other event with a formal dress code should be okay with it. Again, bastardizing the idea by over-charging for materials etc. is not a good enough reason to do away with it completely. Some families want to bankrupt the groom by charging a crazy brideprice, but that doesn't mean prudent in-laws shouldn't get their yams etc.

I think it's a beautiful thing (when done right), but I certainly don't think it's a CORE part of a wedding. The marriage is the core part of the wedding. Just like the birth of Jesus is a CORE part of Christmas...not the gift-giving.

[Ariya]

Originally Posted by Vivrantism

I think it's a beautiful thing (when done right), but I certainly don't think it's a CORE part of a wedding. The marriage is the core part of the wedding. Just like the birth of Jesus is a CORE part of Christmas...not the gift-giving.

Potato/potah-toe, IMO. Is wearing a white dress and standing in front of your family in a church a core part of a wedding? No, if you don't mind a civil ceremony in the town hall. I get your point if you don't think aso-ebi is essential (at least for Yoruba weddings and other traditions that emphasize the idea), but I'd say that there are no absolutely essential celebrations related to a wedding. If we went that route, marriages would be nothing other than signing a legal document in front of one witness. I think a wedding ideally should be more than a contract agreement.