Shocking: A Village where weddings takes place only at Night

 This is not because there are tourist attractions in the community, but because of the unbelievable events that happen there in the midnight; wedding ceremonies. 

According to Leadership findings, Tsokwoiji also known as Rafinshinaka, is a beehive of activities from evening until midnight, when the real solemnization takes place.
 
During a recent visit, it was gathered that people of all ages were seen engaging in different activities ahead of the flamboyant ceremony of one of their prominent sons, and visitors did not start trooping in until about 6pm and after exchanging pleasantries, the people walk into the venue in preparation for the big event which does not always start before 11pm.

In fact, children who would have expectedly gone to bed at that time of the day often stay awake to enjoy the ambience of the night as well as varieties of food such as pounded yam, ‘tuwo chinkafa’, rice meal and ‘kunu zaki’, a sweet drink made out of guinea corn. The village is not so populated (300 people maximum), and is without social amenities such as good roads, electricity supply, health care facilities and pipe borne water, but for this age-long tradition, relatives from neighbouring villages like Kpaha, Lokoyidna, Kpaha, Gwogwobiri and Angwan Rimi come to grace the occasion.

Suleiman Ayoko, the Mai Angwa (the village head) of Tsokwoloji explained that it has been their custom even in the time of their forefathers. According to him: “A lot of people will think we perform one diabolic ritual or the other on hearing about the time we do our marriage ceremonies. Our fathers have been practicing this as they felt this is the ideal time when such a union should be conducted.

“You may think people will not attend it the wedding because it is at midnight, but sometimes it will amaze you that they will turn up in their large numbers. To us, this is the best time for holding an activity or even meetings. “It may surprise you to know that some of our village meetings with the various leaders are held at this period in order to take important decisions.

At this time all the children are asleep and everywhere is quite. We therefore seize the opportunity of the serene environment to conduct our meetings.” Sadly, the people of this community depend on sachet water, dirty boreholes as well as well water during such great ceremonies because they cannot boast of potable water.

The village head added: “Other areas have benefitted from government water scheme but we have been neglected and uncared for in this area. Our only source of water is well water and the borehole which do not bring out water during the dry season.

All these waters are not even pure at all because it has colour and odour.” Speaking also on the issue, Buhari Ndako, a resident and a farmer, lamented the absence of good roads and adequate electric power supply. “Some of our guest who attended the wedding could not drive on it because it is very bad.

Also, farmers find it very difficult to convey their farm products to Suleja market because of the condition of the road and also because commercial vehicles are hesitant to ply the road due to its bad state. We really look up to the chairman to construct a tarred road,” he said.

The groom of the wedding occasion which was attended, Abdulkareem Ibrahim, explained how they had to spend more than they envisaged to run their generator for the marriage ceremonies because of lack of power supply. He said: “I have spent so much to buy fuel in order to be able to use generator.

If electricity is available, it would have been better. A good health care facility is also needed for the residents to access good health care. “I have been in Rafinshinaka for almost 15 years now. I came here when I was very young; things have still not changed except for the few new buildings.

During election period, politicians come in their droves promising heaven and earth to alleviate our sufferings, but when they assume power, they will eventually forget us. “We have even given some of our daughter’s hand to them in marriage. 

Let them live up to their promises by helping us with health care facilities, we will really be grateful. So far, we like the peacefulness and togetherness of the community.”