What Culture Means to Me as a Yoruba Girl

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I still remember the first time I truly understood what culture meant.I was about 10 years old, and my grandmother had taken me to our village in Osun State for the Osun Osogbo festival.The joy in The atmosphere was noticeable as it was filled with music, colours, dancers, and people dressed in traditional clothes.At first, I was confused ,why were people dancing in the sun?Why were women carrying calabashes on their heads, singing old songs?But by the time the sun set that day, I understood something deep: culture is not just what we do, it is who we are.Culture, to me, is more than just the way we greet, dress or cook.It is the way we think, the values we hold, and the stories we pass from one generation to another.

As a Yoruba girl from Nigeria, greeting is very important in our culture.We kneel or bend slightly when greeting elders, not because we are forced to, but because it shows respect and respect is a big part of who we are.We also love food.One of our cultural foods is Amala with ewedu and gbegiri.I used to hate it when I was small, but now I find joy in eating it, especially during family gatherings.It is a sign of unity and celebrations as it brings us together.​

Traditional events is also another beautiful part of the culture that I love.Some of the traditional events includes ceremonies to festivals like Ojude Oba or Egungun, these events help us stay connected to our roots.

Though I love my Yoruba culture, I also admire some cultures from other places.For example, I really like how some Northern tribes in Nigeria dress in beautiful flowing gowns and turbans.​ The Indian culture is alos another culture that i admire,especially their dance and wedding ceremonies.Their colourful clothes and music are something I would love to experience one day.In the end, I believe culture is not just about where we come from, but also about what we learn and choose to carry with us.Our identified being shaped by it,it also gives us a sense of belonging.​

​ Even as we grow and mix with other cultures, it is important not to forget where we started from.