User:Spoken truth15

Nigerian Animal tail wedding accessory

Nzà or also known as Irukere is one of the most popular accessories used in African weddings. It is made out of a animal tail (mainly horses) and in different culture it can be used to symbolize different things.

It is made up of white or black Strands of hair that are attached to a stick and are all held together by a plain leather or rubber handle but sometimes it could be decorated with beads or rhinestones.

Igbos

The Igbo people call it Nzà and it is used to show that someone is Royalty or is a chief. They have been using Ńzà before the 10th century to show that they were an important person in the kingdom.

Before it used to be only the men that used it but after the Igbo women also started using it to show that they were also an important figure in the village. Now you could see Igbo people using it at their wedding, funerals or dances.

Yorubas

The Yoruba people call it Irukere and they believe that one of the Yoruba deities used the Irukere when travelling and it was used as a tool to save people and it has since been used by Yoruba kings and chiefs.

Many other ethnic groups in Africa also use it for the same reason. However, there has been some debates about who are the original creators of this accessory.

Although it might seems like the Yoruba ethnic group created this beautiful accessory it was actually the Igbo's. They made this accessory so popular in west Africa that a lot of ethnic group started using it at their weddings and special occasions.

References https://ng.opera.news/ng/en/lifestyle/amp/0af031db3d937597328486ff56500107

https://everyevery.ng/nigerian-traditional-accessory-irukere/amp/