There are a few things I find interesting about Yoruba culture and that includes the Custom of greetings.
There is a parlance that says "ikini lasha wa" which means greetings is part of our culture. As I am typing this, a stranger just greeted me and I was obliged to respond after a second thought.

Some people would even get offended is you pass by them and don't offer your greetings? Sometimes, greetings even extend into a mini rapport. Where the greeter enquires about every other thing like your work " ise nko", your home " ile nko", your night " aku ana" etcetera.
Which I don't have a problem with but my concern is why would a complete stranger also greet you?

Your thoughts on this are much welcome.

leave yorubas alone dear.

tpia1: leave yorubas alone dear.

This is not a tribalist discussion because i am also from the tribe.
I am only trying to understand this cultural phenomenon.

then ask people from your hometown.

^^^Which one come be your own nau? I only want reasonable contributions and if you have none, please kindly let it pass.

@OP, do you mean strangers on the street walking up to greet you or what?

If i go into a new city, a new hood, i greet anyone and everyone.
I think unlike some tribes that their greeting ends @ the "how are you stage", Yorubas would ask after your kids/spouse/health/business/last night etc . Its a good thing,IMO

ifyalways: @OP, do you mean strangers on the street walking up to greet you or what?

If i go into a new city, a new hood, i greet anyone and everyone.
I think unlike some tribes that their greeting ends @ the "how are you stage", Yorubas would ask after your kids/spouse/health/business/last night etc . Its a good thing,IMO

Honestly, i'm not saying it's a bad thing, but when a complete stranger passes by you and greets you, that is what i find odd.

If your instinct is telling you something's wrong, then it probably is.

Dont assume its culture.

Maybe in some parts that's what they do, but nobody knows the specifics.

In these days of cell phone communication and whatnot, who knows what's going on.

Or are you denzel and people are admiring your beauty?

Greeting is a big part of Yoruba lifestyle....and culture too.Its a moral standard..
...and well,for strangers,its very discretionary....!

slimyem: Greeting is a big part of Yoruba lifestyle....and culture too.Its a moral standard..
...and well,for strangers,its very discretionary....!

Thank you!

tpia1: Or are you denzel and people are admiring your beauty?

Well! That's not left for me to judge.

Yes ,greeting strangers is great part of Yoruba culture.........

Yoruba can surely use ''greetings'' stranger to inquire who such stranger is,where he/she comes from and motive in the environment without such fellow(stranger) felling insulted !!

E.g

e nle ooo, epe le faaa,

gbogbo ile nko, se alafia ni awon omo wa,

abi eyin ni tisa tuntun ni ilu wa yi....

Ahahaha, ise wo ni tiyin ?

E kabo,na to use prayer finish the rest for the person all within smiles blowing within white africano teeth!!!!

The essence of the prayer na 4 d stranger to feel loved and welcomed!!!!!

^^^You be Ijebu man?

Greeting can be so tiring ojare. A two minute walk down the street could require you to greet about a dozen people. Sometimes I walk down without greeting anyfrigginbody . na by force? Some people will be staring at you expecting you to greet them. At times strangers greet me and I mumble a reply tho I'd prefer if I'm not greeted in the first place. Don't greet me I no go greet you, man no go vex.

Brand_new: ^^^You be Ijebu man?

hmmm

dominique: Greeting can be so tiring ojare. A two minute walk down the street could require you to greet about a dozen people. Sometimes I walk down without greeting anyfrigginbody . na by force? Some people will be staring at you expecting you to greet them. At times strangers greet me and I mumble a reply tho I'd prefer if I'm not greeted in the first place. Don't greet me I no go greet you, man no go vex.

I sometimes feel that way but Yoruba people will term it as pride whereas you just want to go easy and peacefully without any interruptions. So these days I make sure I bow well enough to make it obvious anytime an older acquaintance comes my way.

You dont sound yoruba.

ifyalways: @OP, do you mean strangers on the street walking up to greet you or what?

If i go into a new city, a new hood, i greet anyone and everyone.
I think unlike some tribes that their greeting ends @ the "how are you stage", Yorubas would ask after your kids/spouse/health/business/last night etc . Its a good thing,IMO

Yorubas only greet Yorubas,except if they know you before hand. The Igbo are taught to greet their elders,regardless of race nor tribe.

Odenigbo Aroli:

Yorubas only greet Yorubas,except if they know you before hand. The Igbo are taught to greet their elders,regardless of race nor tribe.

Yorubas Hausas Binsi Urogbos weren't taught about greeting abi? Must everything turn into a tribal war?

Odenigbo Aroli:

Yorubas only greet Yorubas,except if they know you before hand. The Igbo are taught to greet their elders,regardless of race nor tribe.

That's not true.

tpia1: You dont sound yoruba.

Truly I am.

dominique:

Yorubas Hausas Binsi Urogbos weren't taught about greeting abi? Must everything turn into a tribal war?

mind you,I never mentioned Hausa,Bini nor Uhrobo...I have live with Hausa,Igbo,Uhrobo,Yoruba and Bini and I know what Iam talking about.

Brand_new:

Truly I am.

i doubt it.

Odenigbo Aroli:

Yorubas only greet Yorubas,except if they know you before hand. The Igbo are taught to greet their elders,regardless of race nor tribe.

You are wrong sir.

tpia1:

i doubt it.

What proof do you need?




This subject matter is still disturbing to me because I'm just an easy going person and I detest unnecessary attention. So why do some people take it very personal when you just go on your own jeje without no qualms. They easily interprete it as you being a snub. Wtf!

You wouldnt be asking such questions if you were familiar with yoruba culture, or if you knew any yorubas at all, talkless claim to be one.

Shows you're not, thats why everything is strange to you.

@Tipia you don come again o!
Abi na you go tell me my tribe again?

Anyways " owo epo laiye ba ni la won kin ba ni la teje."
Oya go find a translator for that popular Yoruba saying.

Copy and paste.

tpia@:
Copy and paste.

I've given up so believe what ypu want. Back to topic though.
I still find it hard to cope. I'm afraid some if not many will think I'm a snob but I'm just trying to mind my own business jejeli.

just keep minding your business, or whats your problem?

you can also move elsewhere, its not by force.

tpia@:
just keep minding your business, or whats your problem?

you can also move elsewhere, its not by force.

Do I have to move out of Yorubaland just to live the way I deem fit?
Because it seems to me that this greeting thing is a cultural issue.

who cares or even notices you?

seems you're either idle or have some issues that need to be addressed.

are you lonely?

i mean, this may come across a bit strong but the whining/narcissism is getting too much.

Oh dear! When i'm about to declare that i found an answer to my nagging question.