How the Yorubas fund their flamboyant Lifestyle

Bridal party ‘squad goals’ Photograph: Tolu Oniru

As a teacher, I once attended a burial Ceremony of the father in-law of one of my colleagues. That day, was a veritable opportunity to learn a useful lesson about Yoruba culture. As an Igbo man, I thought my being on the same level as the chief host was a guarantee of preferential treatment.

Lo and behold, I did get a special treatment of a life time. Seated where I was, my colleague was not within sight but I was duly invited like other colleagues of mine, Juniors and Seniors.

My colleague's wife did not know me and like the case of the wedding guest, in the Bible without a wedding attire, I was not thrown out by my colleague's wife, but she made sure I regretted not turning up in more than shirtsleeves.

The Yorubas have a saying that no matter how expensive a shirt is, it is still a work attire. Tired of being ignored and my colleague not within sight, I had to respectfully join the bystanders in watching events till I called it a day.

My junior colleagues, who earned far less than my self were gaily dressed and found company among gaily dressed people like themselves. I stood out like a sore thumb and that was the last I made such a mistake.

The Yorubas have a flamboyant lifestyle but they are not extravagant. This is difficult to believe, but it is the truth. An Igbo man who throws a party, is ready to go it alone but among the Yorubas, even the super rich inclusive, this is a rarity. It is so because, the different groups to which the celebrant belongs, are duty bound to offer their support not only in cash but in food too.

That is why, it is so easy for different foods to be served to different persons. At the burial ceremony of a man or woman with several children, do not be surprised to see people seated in the same hall wearing different attires and eating different sets of food.

In some cases, the different children cater to their guests exclusively. In some other cases, there are common meals but still some cocktails and snacks are exclusive.

The colourful attires are the contributory support to the celebrants. Guests are expected to buy them at a premium. The difference is their financial support to the celebrant.

These favours are returned at other occasions and on and on it goes. To the uninitiated, the belief is that the Yorubas have so much money to throw about. Linking the flamboyance to corruption is most absurd as corruption is a lingua franca of every Nigerian save but a few but not according to ethnicity.