A Yoruba Girl and Her Swallow

Have you ever resisted something as a child only to grow up and it’s become a part of you that you cherish so deeply?

How about watching a real Yoruba girl eat her swallows with her hands washed - something she does with such calm pride and like a ritual she needs to respect?

I remember those times when I was forced to eat swallows. I lived with my grandparents at a younger age, and my favourites at that time were white rice and stew. It’s still one of my best meals I cannot do without. I can eat rice six days a week while I rest from it the seventh day for something else, but it’s now reduced though. At least I eat rice twice or thrice a week now.

There is something deeply cultural about how a Yoruba girl eats swallow. It’s more than just food, but one eaten with all sincerity and love for her culture. The way she eats traditionally without being ashamed because, to her, it’s a way of priding in her tribe and who she really is.

I have seen girls who try to go the foreign way even with swallows, especially the Yoruba girls who want to form and act internationally, using a fork to eat swallows, making them forget who they truly are. Perhaps it’s for the show or paparazzi.

But to me, wherever I may be; either inside or in public and when I need to eat swallows, I prefer using my hand instead of a spoon or fork.

This is because when I eat with my hands, I feel it more - it’s not just the food but the tradition I’m trying to uphold, the beauty of my tribe and my identity. I don’t need to pretend who I’m not.

I also believe that it’s a form of respect when people see me embracing my culture and tribe and being proud of who I am and what I represent.

When it comes to eating swallows, the first thing is to wash my hands. This isn’t out of mere habit but with intention. Then I would sit comfortably taking away whatever may serve as a distraction while I tear a little portion of my swallows - be it amala, semo or pounded yam (these are my favourites).

The feeling that comes with dipping my hands into the morsel and then into the bowl of soup (egusi, efo riro, ewedu, ogbono, etc.) sitting peacefully beside the plate of the swallow as I allow it to soak up the rich flavours. I don’t need to rush. It’s all about calmness, steady eating and deep respect for the food and the hands that prepared it. It’s heavenly and nourishing.

Do you know eating your meal is also a form of art? It’s the way you eat with respect that matters. I didn’t understand this as a child until I grew up to love swallows. It was funny and frustrating but looking back now, I smile because of what I’d miss then.

Being a Yoruba girl isn’t only about the language we speak or the clothes we wear but it’s also in the way we eat our food with intentionality. Our respect and love for what has become part of us - our image and culture.

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_{The image is mine}