Cole: Yorubas: How they shape the world (2)

THE English education system is changing – now it is possible to work and go to school. The model of working and going to school was perfected in the U.S.  Many of our fellow countrymen who, every Christmas parade themselves as Americans (with Green Cards) are from this category. New York, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. were dominated by Yoruba cab drivers. Other ethnic groups of Nigerians are joining this group, as well as Sierra Leoneans, Liberians, Ethiopians and Somalis.

   Yorubas’ cultural, religious, musical influence is worldwide: Talking drums and percussion in black music in the U.S. (Ojo Ladipo theatre), and in the Caribbean. The Yoruba Language and Religion dominate the Brazilian spiritual life: the Yoruba pantheon of gods is the Brazilian pantheon of gods too, resulting in the syncretic absorption with Catholicism of many Yoruba forms of worship and prayer.  In Bahia, many Brazilians speak Yoruba and worship Shango (spelt Xhango), Yemoja, Osupa, Ogun, Ifa, etc. In Sierra Leone, the Creoles nearly all have Yoruba names – (although occasionally there are such names as Obi, Okoro, etc.).  This is also true of Liberia.  The Saros are an important element of the Lagos Yoruba Society; just like the Brazilians who have names like Campos Da Rocha, Da Silva, Pinheiro are of Brazilians descent, etc. The Paynes, Cokers, Coles, Davids, etc., are Saros of Yoruba extraction. The influence of the returning Brazilians slaves in Yoruba land is well known: There are many Portuguese words in Yoruba, and also in the Itsekiri, Benin, and Ijaw Languages. For example, Alubosa, that is, onion, and Akana are Brazilian words.  A variety of foods eaten by Lagosians around Easter, like fri join, are Brazilian.

   While on this, the Ibos also have their religion and language perpetuated in Haiti. When the present writer went there in 1965, he saw the voodoo dancers perform Ibo dances and sing Ibo songs which, of course, they did not understand. The Ibos similarly deeply penetrated the slave trading Ijaws of Bonny, Okrika, and Kalabari land, such that most people spoke Ibo or had Ibo names: My mother was suckled by an Ibo woman who called her Ezinwanyi; whilst Chief Young Jack was Oke Mgbudu, etc.

    Lagos Yorubas have the phenomenon known as Sisi Eko or Mama Eko: wealthy Lagos market women – usually selling fabrics. When the textile mills were working in Nigeria, these women made special designs which the mills made for them, like lace, prints, etc. These women designed their own specialty styles, which were unique to them.  Some of the materials were named after then.  They paid cash to the textile millers before one ounce of cotton was committed.  The result was that Nigeria had the most vibrant textile industries.  In Ereko Market, the women sit on large boxes usually full of money, and only got up to put in or take out money from there.  At parties, the Sisi Ekos or Mama Ekos were on the prowl, looking for young handsome married men. When such a hunk had been located, the Sisi Eko or Mama Eko would seek out the young man’s wife and plead with her that she wants to use her husband for a little while, and would return him later healthier and richer. The Mama Eko or Sisi Eko would be responsible for all the aso ebis of her paramour and his wife, and even their children.  There seems to be no bitterness in the arrangement. The young paramour would escort his Sisi Eko or Mama Eko everywhere. Everybody gets what he or she wants. This custom is similar to what the English call having a toy boy. But in the English case, the wife of the toy boy is not usually a party to the arrangement.  However, this is quite different from the situation in some other societies, like those in Melanesia, where one woman is married to several men. So, if a man goes to see his wife, and there is a man’s slipper outside, he would beat a retreat and wait for another day.

 Music and Parties 

Effervescent, vivacious, an almost hedonistic Commitment to pleasure, enjoyment, Yorubas make no apology for enjoyment and are open about it. At a Yoruba party, there is a sing-along ability – everybody seems to know the words, and the party goers are in full and fine voice, as they belt out song after song.

   Women and girls, including our daughters, see parties as a time to show off.  Musicians will call out or sing out the name of each celebrant and celebrity, when he or she has the floor. Such celebrant or celebrity then sprays a lot of money, preferably, newly minted notes, in a simple and enjoyable way. The non-celebrants thereby indirectly contribute towards cost of the party, and to show affection or closeness to the celebrant. Also the floor is given to other show offs.  Even so, a good guest comes with a cheque or cash in an envelope to the party.

   Parties are also opportunities to find a marriageable partner, when one’s parents have been unable to secure a spouse. 

    The Entertainment Industry is quintessentially Yoruba.  They were the first to put up canopies, the use of which has now become country wide. Lagos has over thirty (30) Event/Entertainment Centers, some of which are owned by non-Yorubas; whilst the majority is Yoruba owned.

    The Yorubas’ love of entertainment has also stimulated other Industries in the areas of clothing, (like damask, aso oke, Ankara, woudin, and head ties, etc.), hair, cosmetics, etc. The Yoruba Party Catering Philosophy is different from that of other cultures: Thus, among the Yorubas, each member of the family, who can, creates a spending point – brother, sister, etc. These parties encourage the Catering Industry as a whole. Sometimes with different headgears or even aso ebi; so guests know who is their host or hostess.

     Each member of the family has different attire. They have separate kitchens and food stalls, different musicians – depending on how big the occasion is. Here I am referring to a really big party, with sibling from a polygamous marriage.

    The clothes are of many designs, some of which are unique for the occasion.  Matching jewelry, shoes, handbags, and specialist head ties – some of which (like head ties) are so specialized that it is named after a celebrity, e.g., Sagoe head tie. Style consciousness, including the use of colour in attires; promotion of elegance are all hallmarks of Yoruba culture. 

    The Yorubas introduced “political “parties. I duff my hats to Yoruba musicians: There is no song, in any language, which is popular that they won’t sing – from Victor Olaiya’s Anyigana, and Bakwodaya, and Rex Lawson’s Berebote, Asewo, etc. James Brown’s king of soul – it’s a man’s world, P square – Igwe, and Chop my Money, African Beauty Queen by 2 Face, Victor Uwaifo’s Jolomi, etc.

    If you are throwing a party, one of the secrets of having a successful party is when the revelers sing along with the band or music playing.  For a party, you provide catering, wine, beer and other drinks, and music.  Over a hundred people do this weekly in Lagos. Yorubas have a mini carnival every weekend – The beauty of the Yoruba Language from the mouth of an expert – the cadences, the lyrics, are legendary.  

    The Orikis, which to the uninitiated, sound like a different language, depict the historical antecedents, particularly their ancestry, and achievements of the respective families; and the average Yoruba man and woman are keenly aware of their history, and they follow the orikis of their families. These Orikis many times correct facts, and their interpretations do help to clear misunderstandings, as well as erase misrepresentations about people and their families.  Sometimes mischievous praise singers, in reciting the Orikis, would say something less complimentary about a person’s ancestor, especially if the member of the families is parsimonious to the singer.

• To be continued tomorrow.

• Ambassador Cole (OFR) is a Consultant to The Guardian Editorial Board.