One cultural tradition from my country that I truly love is respect for elders. As a Yoruba woman, greeting is not just a quick “Hi” while walking past someone with your phone in your hand. Oh no! We take greeting seriously. 😂
Traditionally, a girl kneels to greet an elder, while a boy prostrates. Growing up, if someone was old enough to be your parent and you greeted them too casually, that greeting might need to be repeated—with the proper “special effects.” 😂
I know times are changing, and not everyone practices these customs exactly the same way anymore, but I still love what they represent: humility, respect, and appreciation for those who came before us.
Another part of Yoruba culture I treasure is our sense of communal living. Grandparents, parents, children, aunties, uncles, cousins—sometimes everybody is connected and involved in everybody’s life. Privacy may occasionally be on vacation, but you will rarely feel completely alone! 😂
There is something beautiful about children growing up surrounded by different generations. Wisdom is passed down, stories are shared, food is shared, responsibilities are shared—and yes, sometimes your business is shared too, whether you volunteered the information or not. 😂
As modern life becomes more individualistic, I hope we keep preserving the beautiful parts of our culture: honoring our elders, staying connected to family, and remembering that community matters.
Because at the end of the day, culture is not only about what we wear or the food we eat. It is also about how we treat one another.
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