In certain Nigerian traditions, particularly among the Edo and Esan peoples, the bride sits on the lap of her new father-in-law or the groom as part of the marriage ceremony.
This symbolic act, typically repeated a set number of times (such as seven or eleven), represents the bride’s official transition from her own family into the groom’s household and marks the completion of the union.
The groom’s strong embrace at the end of the ritual signifies his full acceptance and dedication to her.