Hi I am new here and require some insight into Nigerian/Urohobo tribe culture.

My wife is Nigerian born in England, i am West indian also born in London. I have met with my wife's family who are very nice people, but there is something i do not understand. When i greet my wifes grandfather, he is polite, but refuses to shake my hand, indeed he pulled his hand out of mine, when i tried to extend mine. Other than that he is cordial.
My wife says it's nothing personal, and that he shakes no-ones hand as he is a chief, but i am ALMOST positive that i have seen him shake other peoples hand.

Maybe i am just being silly, but genuinely need some advice, on this matter.

Thanks in advance

Is it that he disapproves or something? I truly hope not,

Also see

Official Urhobo Thread
https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-58386.0.html

Urhobo Owofibo (oil Soup) Aka Owo Soup
https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-174266.0.html

B.Billion:

Hi I am new here and require some insight into Nigerian/Urohobo tribe culture.

My wife is Nigerian born in England, i am West indian also born in London. I have met with my wife's family who are very nice people, but there is something i do not understand. When i greet my wifes grandfather, he is polite, but refuses to shake my hand, indeed he pulled his hand out of mine, when i tried to extend mine. Other than that he is cordial.
My wife says it's nothing personal, and that he shakes no-ones hand as he is a chief, but i am ALMOST positive that i have seen him shake other peoples hand.

Maybe i am just being silly, but genuinely need some advice, on this matter.

Thanks in advance

An urhobo chief may not shake hands with a young man, unless it was in a business setting where he cannot run away from it.

he may really like you or he likes you so much that he is afraid you might take advantage of it, hence his attitude.
well, keep trying

Thanks so much. it puts my mind at ease some what! Thanks again.

dgreatrock:

An urhobo chief may not shake hands with a young man, unless it was in a business setting where he cannot run away from it.

he may really like you or he likes you so much that[b] he is afraid you might take advantage of it[/b], hence his attitude.
well, keep trying

Take advantage of his hand? Is he going to use it scratch his back or his a$$?

I believe everybody has their traditions but I can't see why he won't shake his in-law's hand considering he is not even Nigerian, thus lack any malicious intentions.

mr. billion, i don't know about the Urhobo people but i know that with my own people, it is almost an abomination for a young man to stretch out his hand to shake an old man. That kind of stuff doesn't fly in yorubaland AT ALLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!

Poster, you didn't say which tribe your wife is from.

If it's Yoruba, the response above is probably the best explanation.

well if he mentioned Urhobo?

lol. yorubas will say ikoja aye

Nigerians and some useless culture.
what's the big deal about a handshake?
The same Nigerians will have no problems treating women and children like trash and frown at a common handshake?
A universal sign of friendship.
We need help.

**osisi:

Nigerians and some useless culture.
what's the big deal about a handshake?
The same Nigerians will have no problems treating women and children like trash and frown at a common handshake?
A universal sign of friendship.
We need help.

In the UK it is not. It is normal to shake hands here in a biz meeting.

FBS:

well if he mentioned Urhobo?

I believe the orig subject title was modified to include "Urhobo"