Discontinuities, Continuities and Emerging Patterns in Wedding Activities among the Yoruba People of Southwestern Nigeria.

The article examines discontinuities, continuities, and emerging patterns in wedding activities among the Yoruba people of Ibadan, southwestern Nigeria, as a lens to understand social change. Using ethnographic methods including participant observation and in-depth interviews, the study finds that while many traditional wedding elements persist—such as the bridal load (eru-iyawo) and bride price—significant changes have occurred in mate selection, venue choice, ceremonial roles, and symbolic practices, reflecting influences of urbanization, modernization, globalization, and technology. Emerging trends include professional event planning, thematic decorations, elaborate cakes, and the commodification of wedding services, often driven by social media exposure and economic motivations. The findings highlight weddings as dynamic cultural practices that blend tradition and innovation, illustrating broader processes of cultural hybridity and social development in contemporary African societies.