My Culture, My Sense of Belonging

Culture is my heritage, my identity, and my roots. It is not merely a way of life, as defined in textbooks; rather, it transcends customs, traditions, values, and practices of a society. Culture could mean anything aside from the usual way of living, it goes beyond greetings, meals, and cultural activities. It gives a sense of belonging to our identities. Culture is who you are!

In my country, Nigeria, we are blessed with different cultures and languages and that makes us unique. Recently, we had a cultural day on Sunday in my church. Come and see different attire representing different cultures. It was a colourful Sunday for Edo people, the Urhobos, the Ijaws, the Rivers, the Yorubas, the Hausas, the Efiks, and so on in their unique attires; it was a colourful Sunday. I was happy to see culture differently, and it gladdens my heart to have an identity.

My daughter in Yoruba attire😍

As a Yoruba from the western part of Nigeria, I am proud of our culture, which is rich in proverbs and wise sayings that convey important life lessons and values. We trace our roots to the Oduduwa lineage, the founder of Yoruba land. Our celebrations are vibrant, with festivals such as the Egungun festival, which honors our ancestors; the Osun festival; the Sango festival, dedicated to the god of thunder; and the Ogun festival, honoring the god of iron, among others.

Respect is a cornerstone of Yoruba culture, passed down through generations. For instance, girls kneel and boys prostrate to greet, a gesture of respect at any time of day. Our greetings are distinct: "e kaaro ma/sir" (good morning), "eku ise ma/sir" (well done), "eku abo sir/ma" (welcome back), and "o daro ma/sir" (good night) are just a few examples.

Our traditional attire is unique, with women wearing Iro and Buba and men in Agbada or dansiki, a style now embraced by various tribes. Yoruba clothing ranges from Sayan, Alari, Adire to Aso Oke/Ofi, Teru, and Owu Dun. We take pride in our fashion, adorning ourselves with beautiful accessories like beads, neckbeads,stebeads, and bracelets.

Teaching our children to resonate with our culture. See them in their different cultural attire 😍

Our special delicacies are a treasure to savor. Dishes like Iyan and Efo Riro, Egusi and Eba, and Amala with Gbegiri and Ewedu, often enjoyed with assorted meats, are cherished across tribes. We favor fresh fish from our seas and oceans, which are top-notch for our meals. Have I told you, we love parties? Yes, we are having fun because talking about entertainment, we are not last. It is a moment we cherish.

Spirituality is integral to being Yoruba; religion holds great importance, whether one identifies as a Christian, Muslim, or traditionalist. Our language and modes of communication are exceptional, encompassing various forms such as talking drums, drawings, body diagrams, whistles, and Aroko(a piece of cloth tied together to convey messages; if the piece of cloth is white, it means peace while red means war).

Beyond my Yoruba heritage, I have an appreciation for Hausa culture. Their respectfulness and humility resonate with me. Like the Yoruba, greetings are vital in Hausa life; expressions such as "ina kwana" (good morning), "yaya yara" (how are the children?), and "sai de safe" (see you tomorrow) reflect their compassionate nature. I find learning their language fascinating, it's sweet and engaging. The uniqueness of Hausa weddings, where the bride furnishes the home before the wedding takes place, contrasts with other tribes, creating a sense of humor for me. The idea of three or four wives cohabitating in one apartment showcases their high level of hospitality and community spirit. Their attire is also simple yet distinctive. Their main meal, Tuwo,nfa an,d mazara a nd mia kuka. I love eating this special snack called Manza😋

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Looking beyond Nigeria, Indian culture captivates me as well, perhaps the influence of watching too much Zeeworld🤥 I admire their tradition of living in large households where children and their spouses cohabitate under one roof, sharing meals from a communal kitchen. I would like to practice their food, greetings, festival, and display. I would like to see them beyond the television screen.

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This sense of togetherness is truly beautiful. Embrace your culture!

Here is my entry to the #scifimultiverse comunnity contest on the topic: CULTURE

Images1&2 are mine
Images3&4 are sourced.