- Ruby Ojiakor’s recent engagement has started a conversation about cultural customs and how proposals should be done.
- In a video, her partner, Moc Madu, was shown kneeling to propose while wearing the traditional Igbo red cap.
- The announcement of their engagement brought joy and celebration, but it also sparked discussions about how the proposal was done.
Nigerian actress Ruby Ojiakor’s recent engagement has started a conversation about cultural customs and how proposals should be done.
In a video, her partner, Moc Madu, was shown kneeling to propose while wearing the traditional Igbo red cap.
The announcement of their engagement brought joy and celebration, but it also sparked discussions about how the proposal was done.
An X user, @gaiuschibueze, raised concerns about whether it is suitable for an Igbo man, especially one in a red cap, to kneel while proposing.
He wrote:
“Is it proper for an Igbo man with a red cap to kneel down to propose to a lady?”
See below:
The red cap represents respect and authority in Igbo culture, and some believe that kneeling could be viewed as disrespectful.
On the other hand, some view this act as a romantic gesture, showing love and commitment, no matter the cultural background.
Read some comments below:
One @Treazyblaq: “Actually, formal proposals are Western tradition. In Igbo culture, a man does not kneel to ask for a woman’s hand in marriage. The act of kneeling is simply to present a ring. Traditionally, Igbo men do not propose in that manner. To answer your question, if you are a traditional Igbo man, you don’t have to propose with a ring. You can skip that entirely and go straight to her family to begin marriage proceedings, provided she is Igbo as well. However, if you’re marrying a foreigner, you should propose in a way that aligns with her cultural expectations. Being an Ogbuefi or not does not change this.”
@callme_Stanle: “really are we going to be talking about this kind of thing in 2025? I have a question who made these rules? What were their reasons? Were you there when the rules were made? Let’s say our ancestors or whom ever we claim to know made them,so we are going to keep living our lives on the dictates of some archaic rules that were made by some primitive people to suite their life style then. Why must our lives keep being directed by these people even in their graves. Why the unnecessary rules can’t we all break out , live our lives and be happy. These rules were made by human and can also be changed by human. Life is evolving we can’t keep being stuck up by people we don’t even know or met. Every culture and religion you think you know were nurtured and cultured into you. You don’t even know if any were true you just believed because who ever raised you said so. Let’s allow people be and do what makes them happy as long as no crime is committed and nobody is hurt.”
@EmekaPisle: “So my dear brother. The red cap has been bastardized in so many ways? How many persons wearing red caps are actually titled men?This should be the first question. So whatever anyone wants to do is ok o.”
@MappingReveals: “Remove the cap knee down, propose, when you stand up wear your cap back. The yam will not spoil!”
