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2022

Abstract

ted for over <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Yoruba_people#:~:text=The%20historical%20Yoruba%20develop%20in,in%20the%204th%2D7th%20Centuries.">2000 years</a> and deeply in some parts of <a href="https://artsandculture.google.com/story/ibejis-and-black-childhood-museu-afro-brasil/OQXhHsDANj_bKA?hl=en#:~:text=The%20Yorubas%20arrived%20in%20Brazil,field%20of%20religion%20and%20worldviews.">Brazil</a>.With not less than 400 demigods, the Yoruba tradition exists with several internal religions that comprise those gestures.Here are more fun facts.<ul><li>Women kneel, with both knees touching the floor, when greeting older people.</li><li>Men prostrate or lay flat on the floor when greeting older people.</li><li>Many families have personal shrines and gods they worship for guidance or blessings.</li><li>It is known that Orí (one's head/destiny) is the most sufficient deity.</li><li>Ifá divination system and the worship of Orishas or demigods… hence the name "fa" in my ancestral/last name Fatunla.</li></ul><figure id="b0c7"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*4PGymHJ7VAB4F8w8CWIkIQ.png"><figcaption>A cultural board made by the author</figcaption></figure><h2 id="503d">I've been lying down to greet since I was a child!</h2>I've been lying down to greet since I was a kid. Am I tired?.. No!I love the wanderlust it puts foreigners when they see it. But am I not tired of the other things now?Aside from the religions and their popularity in West Africa, the Yoruba tradition is unique in its strong emphasis on respect for elders and ancestors. This is evident not only in greetings but also in daily life.It is with this that I find my frustration. The unexpected gestures…<ul><li>Suppose an older individual comes into a room with all the chairs taken. The youngest in the room must automatically get up and let them sit.</li><li>Wh

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en spoken to by an older individual, you are not to look directly into their eye.</li><li>Never collect or give something out with your left hand. It is a sign of disrespect.</li><li>When elders are speaking, you shouldn't give any comments. You should talk only when spoken to.</li><li>Never misconstrue vowel sounds, E and O, as they show respect when talking. To an older person, Enipe (you said) — To an agemate or younger person, Onipe (you said).</li></ul>Elders are highly respected in the Yoruba tradition. If someone as much as seniors you with just a day, they deserve all of these gestures.As exciting and unique as it is, some adults take advantage of the gestures and traditions to frustrate and bully younger individuals.There are a lot more, and they can be an overwhelming burden.<ul><li>It has an advantage on mental health and well-being — you'll usually find me saying Mrs. <a href="undefined">Michele Maize</a> or Mr. <a href="undefined">Shameem Anwar</a> all the time instead of just tagging them by their names.</li><li>It also has a poignant limitation and disadvantage—it's made me become wired to tarry for so long to fight or ask for my rights.</li></ul><h1 id="9546">Concluding Part</h1>When it comes to traditions, everyone has their own unique set of beliefs and practices.Some may be rooted in religion, while others may have been passed down from generation to generation within a family.What's your tradition?What bothers you the most about it?Want to be notified whenever I publish a new article? <a href="https://fatunlasamuel.medium.com/subscribe?source=post_page-----f86c26c1207e--------------------------------">Click here</a>. And if you enjoyed this article, show your appreciation by giving it lots of claps. This story will be updated and republished with more information.</article></body>

TRADITION | GESTURES | YORUBA

The One True Tradition that Expects Subconscious Gestures

I'm proud, but I also feel it's just too much.

Yes, I'm handsome. I know I am. I'm like a king in his regalia.

With pride rising like lava above a mountain and a heart pumping for continuity in grace. I'm African. I'm Nigerian. I'm Yoruba.

This is not about me. It's about the one true tradition that expects subconscious gestures.

And what matters now is that, sometimes, the weight of tradition can be unbearable.

My best friend on Medium is Indian. My Medium mum is originally from Trinidad & Tobago with a lineage of multiple ethnicities. My Medium aunty is British. I've got friends who are Caucasian and many others from various races.

And they would all agree that tradition can sometimes be overwhelming. I do agree, too, and here is my rationale.

Freda Savahl wants to know more about the Yoruba greeting.

Recently, I went into an abyss of emotions and thoughts to exercise my mind. I gently relived the beautiful and horrible moments of my childhood.

Therein, I stated how I lay on the floor to greet a caucasian man, as usual with every elderly individual. This caught the attention of my medium friend... Freda Savahl, and she asked that I write more about my tradition.

The Yoruba greeting is standard to the Yoruba tradition. A fun fact is that the Yoruba tradition has existed for over 2000 years and deeply in some parts of Brazil.

With not less than 400 demigods, the Yoruba tradition exists with several internal religions that comprise those gestures.

Here are more fun facts.

Women kneel, with both knees touching the floor, when greeting older people.
Men prostrate or lay flat on the floor when greeting older people.
Many families have personal shrines and gods they worship for guidance or blessings.
It is known that Orí (one's head/destiny) is the most sufficient deity.
Ifá divination system and the worship of Orishas or demigods… hence the name "fa" in my ancestral/last name Fatunla.

I've been lying down to greet since I was a child!

I've been lying down to greet since I was a kid. Am I tired?.. No!

I love the wanderlust it puts foreigners when they see it. But am I not tired of the other things now?

Aside from the religions and their popularity in West Africa, the Yoruba tradition is unique in its strong emphasis on respect for elders and ancestors. This is evident not only in greetings but also in daily life.

It is with this that I find my frustration. The unexpected gestures…

Suppose an older individual comes into a room with all the chairs taken. The youngest in the room must automatically get up and let them sit.
When spoken to by an older individual, you are not to look directly into their eye.
Never collect or give something out with your left hand. It is a sign of disrespect.
When elders are speaking, you shouldn't give any comments. You should talk only when spoken to.
Never misconstrue vowel sounds, E and O, as they show respect when talking. To an older person, Enipe (you said) — To an agemate or younger person, Onipe (you said).

Elders are highly respected in the Yoruba tradition. If someone as much as seniors you with just a day, they deserve all of these gestures.

As exciting and unique as it is, some adults take advantage of the gestures and traditions to frustrate and bully younger individuals.

There are a lot more, and they can be an overwhelming burden.

It has an advantage on mental health and well-being — you'll usually find me saying Mrs. Michele Maize or Mr. Shameem Anwar all the time instead of just tagging them by their names.
It also has a poignant limitation and disadvantage—it's made me become wired to tarry for so long to fight or ask for my rights.

Concluding Part

When it comes to traditions, everyone has their own unique set of beliefs and practices.

Some may be rooted in religion, while others may have been passed down from generation to generation within a family.

What's your tradition?

What bothers you the most about it?

Want to be notified whenever I publish a new article? Click here. And if you enjoyed this article, show your appreciation by giving it lots of claps. This story will be updated and republished with more information.