CULTURE IS A WAY OF LIFE// PROUDLY YORUBA

My culture speak a volume about my way of life and my beliefs, thus, in this week #queercoin community contest, the question on culture is very relatable.

Cultures - What is characteristic of your culture, your country or your region? What has your culture teach you about yourself? What part of your culture do you think is important for the world to know about?

Culture is a way of life. Different people, community, nations, countries all have different lifestyles that they believe in. Thus, ideas and customs varies with people from different society. For instance, in Nigeria we wear more of native wears made in our own traditional materials called the Ankara or lace, while in the western world they wear more of English styles although it is also adopted here.

As a yoruba lady in this part of Nigeria, I am so proud of my culture as it is one of the 3major tribes in the country. We have Ibo, Hausa and Yoruba. The yoruba culture has a lot of cultural norms that it is inexhaustible. In this culture, there are several beliefs in many areas which includes marriage, naming ceremony, burials, coronation of kings, festivals and so many more.
Characteristics of the yoruba culture

• RESPECT: The yoruba are very respectful of their culture, elders and to everyone in general. It is a belief that a woman must go on her two knees (ikunle) to greet an elderly person while the man must prostrate (dobale) on the floor as a sign of respect. This has been passed on from our forefathers and it is very much still practiced.

• MODE OF DRESSING : common mode of dressing is a traditional wear made from traditional fabrics, sewn into various trendy styles and worn to occasions, workplace, church and so on. We have the buba and wrapper for women, buba and soro for men, gowns skirts and blouses etc.

A typical yoruba man

source

• NAMING CEREMONIES : ONE other significant characteristics of yoruba culture is that, when a child is born, the child is named on the eight day after birth. Again, in naming the child, the circumstances surrounding the birth of the child is used to name that child. For instance, a child born on Sunday is called "ABOSEDE" meaning she was born on the first day of the week. Also the name "ADE" mean crown, that means the child is from a royal home.

• MARRIAGE CEREMONY : In yoruba culture, it is pertinent for the bride price of a lady be paid in the traditional way, called the traditional engagement. Here, the list is provided to the man's family and several items are bought and presented to the brides family. They first do an introduction then the engagement where the bride price is paid.

• TABOOS: THERE are lots of taboos in the culture and one of them includes not getting married to one's sibling in anyway. Watching movies like game of thrones where cousins marry each other, it is forbidden and has grave consequences over here.

• WEAVING: THE yorubas are well known for their weaving and knitting skills, these products have been exported to foreign countries for their quality and good craftsmanship.

WHAT MY CULTURE TEACHES
My culture has inculcated me with a respectful character. Even a two year old child would go down on her knees to greet an elder. Somehow in the world generally, being respectful and responsible have always brought Goodluck one way or another. In view, this is one character admire, if not you would look like an outcast in occasions. It also does not support laziness in whatever Form, most people if educated get jobs and if not there are various areas to work in, to earn a decent living like farming, weaving, craftman and so on.

What part of your culture do you think is important for the world to know about?

I think that would be the food aspect. The Yorubas are known for a special delicacy which is pounded yam or plantain flour called amala. These can be eaten with different soups but most peculiar to them is vegetables soup called efo riro, okro soup called Obe Ola asepo and black soup. This delicacy is served in most parties and occasions these days. It would be nice for the world to try this🙂