Igbo (Nigeria) Wedding, Bronx, NY, 1990

Entirely enveloped in raffia, a nmawu or "masquerade," representing ancestors on a brief mission among the living, enlivens the reception. Although he represents female spirits, behind the mask is a tall male dancer.

Katrina Thomas's notes: An Igbo couple in Nigeria are considered husband and wife when the bride's dowry is paid. Odera, a seven-year resident of the United States, now known as Ben, returned to Africa to find the high school student he had fallen in love with there and paid $200, her bride price. A year later he brought her to the States to be legally married in City Hall. Another year passes until the couple can afford a Presbyterian church wedding with bridesmaids wearing rose color satin and ushers in black tuxedos. It is followed immediately by a feast for friends, which includes pouring libations to their ancestors and a ritual of breaking kola nuts. Pieces of kola nut are passed to guests who eat them with hot peanut sauce.