An owambe is a Yoruba party on the grand scale: a wedding, an engagement, a big birthday or a memorial, with a live band, hundreds of guests, matching outfits and food until late. If you live in Lagos, you will be invited.
Aso ebi
Aso ebi is the fabric the celebrants choose for their family and friends to wear, so that each group dresses alike. Being asked to buy it is an honour, and the fabric is bought from the family, not chosen by you. You then take it to a tailor to be sewn in a style of your choosing — which takes time, so do not leave it late.
You do not have to buy aso ebi to attend, but wearing it places you with the family and usually gets you better seating and the souvenir.
What to bring
A gift or an envelope of cash for the couple or the celebrant, given discreetly or at the gift table. Many couples publish account details or a registry; follow their lead.
Spraying money, and the law
At owambes, guests “spray” the celebrants as they dance, pressing notes onto their foreheads or letting them fall. It is a deep-rooted custom.
It is also, with naira notes, an offence. The Central Bank of Nigeria Act makes spraying, dancing on, or otherwise abusing naira notes punishable, and the EFCC has prosecuted well-known people for it. The usual compromise is for the money to be collected and handed over, rather than thrown and trampled: many parties now have staff to gather it, and some guests spray with printed souvenir notes or transfer the money instead.
Timing
The invitation says one time; the party starts later. The ceremony, the food, the band and the dancing run for hours. Plan your way home before you leave, and go with friends.
Who you will meet
Owambes are where Lagos networks. Families, colleagues and old classmates meet, and introductions lead to jobs, deals and marriages. Greet the elders first.
Yoruba and Pidgin Getting married in Nigeria Festivals in Lagos