Yet Another Ceremony

That last one about the coronation reminded me of a story I forgot to blog. It was to attend an (and lets be clear on this) anniversary of a coronation. Some king felt like celebrating himself so threw a party in his own honour (or something like that). He was fron a small village. So small that when we drove down the road afterwards a couple of hundred metres i was told we were in a different village.

I arrived for a church service attended by heaps of other kingly men. Like i said. Small village so plenty of others nearby. They all came with personalised numberplate cars and police escorts. The church service was full of flattery and some amusing money dropping. Three choirs sang in a row and whilst that happened nearly everyone in the church got up and danced past a money bowl about 5 times each to drop money. I did notice one finely dressed fellow giving an usher some big notes and getting change so it could look like he was dropping lots of money in the bowl.

Then to the reception in the kings compound. I ate amala at this one which was not bad. The entertainment was good with one dancing troup or another going the whole time i was there. Then the most intriguing was a local magician/illusionist. Though he was a little amateur. Among other things he pretended to cut off his tongue and stick it back on. Was, like i said amateurish but he really did cut himself with a blade. The whole "tongue" thing was the amateurish bit. Then he saw me and made a cap "appear" on my head (really from under his cloak) but it was all in good fun.

At this particular event i prostrated for the first time. I don't think i've discussed it fully but Nigerians are bit on respect for elders. So girls have to kneel and boys prostrate to elders (particularly to rulers like our oba here). Prostrating involves doing something a bit like a push up where you lay your whole body on the ground in front of the older person/dignitary. I think it was amusing anyway.

What i found hard was trying to say his title and the name of his village. His village is Ororuwo. And remember in yoruba there are two ways of saying "o" so some are like the "oa" in soak and some are like "o" in hot. But the real tongue twister part comes from his title. Because he is from this village he is called, wait for it....

The Olororuwo of Ororuwo. Try saying that three times quickly.

It was only the other day i came across one almost as good. THe man in the office next to me. And the same deal with his name. There being two ways to say the letter e sound.

Mr Oyeleye from Eleyele

Weekend Madness

Ok my weekend was not mad. But i do have some interesting stories. I am seriously the most busy trainee in the world with all the events/ceremonies/parties around here. Such a hard life isn't it?

Without notice I was invited to a coronation ceremony for a king (oba)/traditional ruler of a village not far from Ife where my organisation has done some stuff in past. All the rulers (or most) have their own unique title so the one i went to was for the Baale of Wanikin.



Missed any formalities but i don't think there was much apart from a church service. Then onward to the feasting. All these Nigerian ceremonies are great. Any old person it can seem can rock up (as long as they wear native dress) and get themselves a free feed and a good time. I ate pounded yam and loads of beef.

Most amusing was when i saw some kid wearing a QANTAS t shirt. Now for those who don't know qantas is Australia's international airline and somewhat of an aussie icon (and my dad works for them!). So i was bemused why some little kid in some random tiny village in Nigeria was wearing a qantas shirt. How he got it i don't know. Maybe its global branding gone mad. He was embarrased that i was staring at him. But i got his photo in the end!

Then just after eating, we went to the birthday party of a well known society woman. By that i mean she was well connected. Just after i arrived the deputy governor of the state arrived (with armed escort) to party on down. I then ate, again, a whole meal even though i wasn't hungry but the food was put in front of me so what could i do?

I really laughed at one thing there though. Remember this party was full of (mostly) rich women in rich clothes with nice cars. Yet when the time came to hand out the usual gifts (they always do at these events, see my post on weddings) these rich gals were fighting and grabbing and yelling to get 50 cent rubber sandals and cheap plastic wallets. Seriously amusing. But a nice time to be sure.

The next day i again was involved in a film. This time a uni student production. It was a bit of comedy skit. Just try to picture me in dark shades strutting to mission impossible music facing off against my arch enemy. We run to get hold of the last CD available at the university. Then i ramble in aussie accent about how cool it is. He rambles in pidgin about how cool it is. Then i round off with a DEMTEL style promo of how much i love this comedy CD. Twas good fun.