...Omonoba...
Our people say:
Yoruba: Òtítọ́ ní ńtú ẹrù ìkà palẹ̀.
Eng: It is truth that unpacks the load of the wicked for all to see. - Yoruba proverb
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Happy belated to two very special bloggers - Myne Whitman and Neefemi. I pray for the best for you; may God bless you always.
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After I had grown up in pure love and peace, I moved to an environment that was very different because of the unnecessary animosity left, right and center. So, when I saw this video, I was hurt. (Thank you, SSD for sharing). It is not the first of such and will not be the last. Sha, I posted it on Facebook and then mentioned that I would blog about it so here we go:
I am still trying to make out whether I am just totally blind towards the need for animosity based solely on tribe - in that case thank God for blindness - or I have just learned well what my mother taught me. I am partly of the Bini kingdom and partly of the Yoruba kingdom (and kindly squeeze in River State somewhere there, since I grew up in that state which I love) and so I have witnessed first hand silly people saying silly things about my heritage. You know, many people have made up in their minds that I am 'diluted' in some way and when I think about these people, I think about pure, undiluted ignorance. And it hurts me that our generation is still very much battling with tribal identities; 'you are Yoruba and therefore filthy, you are Igbo and therefore money-hungry and stingy, you are Hausa and therefore wife-hungry,' etc. Maybe much more subtly than in ages past, but I'm not here to argue whether we are still facing these issues because that's a finished math equation.
Then, I saw this video, three days ago and I was speechless for a while. I wish the interviewer had asked them the following question: 'what do you not like about your own tribe?'. It would not have made their responses any less annoying but I would have liked to hear them. I hardly understand the point of the video. I would like to made a rough guess that those three people are of course supposed to represent their individual tribes and another rough guess that majority of their perceptions are from Nollywood movies, talk-talk and / or what society has helped to teach them. I think this because I heard the same stale stereotypes repeatedly and I was at least hoping to hear something different whether negative or postitive. If you have had friends from a different tribe, that should be enough to dispel shallow conclusions. And it sucks big time because all that I have ever been taught is to love a person for who they are and not flat out judge them before getting to know them just because they are from a certain tribe. I do not even slightly hope to change the whole world because I know not everyone is thinking along the same lines as me but I do hope to let people know that it hurts me. It hurts me when I am called 'diluted' indirectly and otherwise and this has made me much stronger than I would have ever been. If I may, let me write to those who care to read that there is a tendency to think one's tribe is the best. (Forgive me I just laughed at this one. Story for another day) But if you were asked the question. 'what do you dislike about your tribe?', would you have something to say? If yes, would you simply dote on what you feel is expected of you; what the stereotype is?
Think about it.
My friends and I make jokes all the time but ejo, let us separate comedy from reality. In case you get the chance to do such an interview, please be sure that your topic/issue is relevant to the targeted audience. I have slightly broken this wall in order to share because it's terribly ignorant; this video and many prevailing perceptions.
Sadly, if we took a camera around, many responses will be like those in the video.
I rest my case in peace.
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Actually I absolutely loved that video. I think it was a great video in every aspect and more like it are needed. I was planning to do a post about the video and why I like it.
ReplyDeleteIf any more of those videos are needed, then they are to expose the terrible perceptions that Nigerians have amongst each other.
ReplyDeleteOr else, the stereotypes are killing me.
I have not watched it but gotten the whole gist from you...which border on tribalism right?
ReplyDeleteDoes it still exist?...YES!
why if yes?...I DUNNO!
Have i been at the receiving end of it?...YES! so many times!
Nakedsha, i see it everyday in actions & words.I am an EDO married to a YORUBA, & i tell you there is BIAS! I had to face reality when i have had unpleasant experiences....IS IT GOOD?...of course not! What i would like to change about my tribe [we are called the minority remember? *smiles}..is; THE -PASTURE- IS GREENER -OVER -THERE -attitude P.H.D syndrome.
p.s..hey! you've not being active like before...wats up?....take care
Havent seen the video so i really cant say....
ReplyDeleteBut i do get you...
Even in Ghana, tribal stereotypes are the norm. Its meant to be part and parcel of our lives but sometimes it maxes out the annoyance meter. Even I face it. All we can do is to live it out I guess, or it would be another headache to cure.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to be back though. And thanks for shedding more light on this.
I saw the video on Nigerian Curiosity but I think SSD nailed it on her commentary, which you've also mentioned here. A lot of people do think like this. What I would have preferred is that the focused on what they liked and involved more people. We dont need the negativity.
ReplyDeleteHope you're good dear. Thanks for the shout out.
Thank you so much darling, i appreciate it
ReplyDeleteLearnt a long time ago to not even talk about this, people will believe what they want to believe, a lot of these things are passed down from generation to generation
I actually liked the video. If anything, I think it gets us to look at ourselves and the perceptions we have of others.
ReplyDeleteI was here..
ReplyDeleteThank you my people for reading.
ReplyDeleteYou know, being in the NYSC program right now has put me in direct confrontation with a lot of the stereotypes I once clutched.
ReplyDeleteIt's a lack of exposure (stemming from a well of insecurities) that leads us to assume and/or say that our heritage is the best! No such scale exists - and everyone has something to contribute to the cohesive beauty.
I rest my fingers...............
@ Imisi....very true
ReplyDelete