PhysicsQED:

This is all about courtesy and politeness (something which a lot of people in this thread obviously have difficulty with) and people like you were making much of something that you guys think was a faux pas or gaffe, but which would just have been viewed at the time as politeness. I'm at a loss as to how so many people here can think that every encounter between an African and a European requires that the African has to puff out their chest, strut, and act standoffish - even when the European is just some delicate little lady smiling there with a handbag. It seems like a very immature view to take. I doubt that either of the two people shaking hands in that picture would have understood all these imaginary power dynamics you guys are reading into that handshake.

The other thing you seem to have missed is that Oba Akenzua II did not "bow" to Prince Phillip (British royalty) - not only because they are actually around the same height but because Philip isn't a lady so the convention of bowing when greeting a lady wouldn't even apply.

Anyway, Oba Akenzua II refused to go to Ibadan (the capital) to meet Queen Elizabeth II, so her tour was changed so that she would visit Benin and meet with the Oba there. I'm not sure how requiring from the tour organizers that she (the Queen) visit Oba Akenzua II in Benin rather than the Oba traveling to meet her wherever else she was going is belittling his kingship.

As for "African Aristocratic/Royal Tradition", is there some all inclusive "African Aristocratic Tradition" with set conventions that every African monarch or aristocrat adheres to? Because there is considerable variation in customs and tradition among African monarchs - for example this "entourage" stuff. What entourage are you talking about? Why should the Oba have had his whole "entourage" (whatever exactly you think that should have consisted of) there? And I don't see Queen Elizabeth's "entourage" in those photos, so I don't see what your point is.

PAGAN 9JA:
[size=16pt]HEY ST.UPIDS! YOU MONKEYS HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF COURT MATTERS!

WHEN A FEMALE MONARCH, i,e., A QUEEN, MEETS A MALE ROYAL COUNTERPART OR MEMBER OF NOBILITY IS THE MALES DUTY TO HALF-BOW BEFORE HER AS A SIGN OF GENTLEMANNESS AND COURTESY! EVEN IF THE KING OF SPAIN, OR HAPSBURG-AUSTRIA, ETC., MEETS A QUEEN, HE MUST BE THE 1ST TO SHOW SIGNS OF COURTESY!

AS FOR THE GLOVES, THAT IS THE CUSTOM OF MOST EUROPEAN ARISTOCRATS, JUST AS IT IS THE CUSTOM AMONG YORUBA OBAS, TO VEIL THEIR FACES, AND IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES OF WEST AFRICAN ROYALS, TO WEAR AIR FILTERS ON THEIR NOSE, etc.


AS FOR THE ATTIRE, IT IS SPLENDID AND IT WAS BRAVE OF THE OBA TO WEAR IT WITH FULL PRIDE AND DIGNITY IN FRON OF THE SUITED AND BOOTED BRITS.

AS FOR BOWING TO THE NIGERIAN PRESIDENT OR MEETING HIM OUTSIDE THE PALACE, THE PRESIDENT IS NOT A MEMBER OF ROYALTY (usually) AND HE IS A COMMONER ELECTED DEMOCRATICALLY TO SERVE THE PEOPLE, AND NOT A HEREDITARY MONARCH.[/size]

Texas.Cowgirl:


Be proud of her without thinking about her tribe.
Your tribalism is disgusting

olagamalin: Sense.less lot....What a Joke

speedyboi:

How can someone be this insecure?
No one has even said anything and you are already throwing your weight around with your tribalistic and bigotic rants...kai...smh. Some nairalanders need to visit yaba

Airforce1:

Which kind obata yarns be that? U think sey those girls go win with those local unafrican dancesteps?

Yo gotta be kidding me

Texas.Cowgirl:


Yet some Yorubas praise Achebe's works too.
Why taint this thread with your tribalistic subconscious?