For the first time in my entire life so far, I spent about three weeks in Warri town, a promising mini metropolitan city in the newly created delta state in Nigeria. I went there to spend my Easter break with an intimate college friend of more than eighteen years standing. Victor Davis.
Prior to my visit and arrival in Warri town, the only thing I knew about it was that Warri is a small port town with an aerodrome, a few national industries, the iron and steel, and petrochemical companies. One thing that thrills me about Warri is its metropolitan nature. The natives include the Urhobos, Isokos, Ijaws, Kwales and the Itsekiris. These distinct ethnic groups provide an interesting group of people. Although they differ in language but they largely dress the same way and eat the same types of food.
Within the second day of my arrival, my host took me to all the parts of Warri township, neighboring towns like Ughelli, Sapele, Abraka, Ozoro, Oleg, Kwale and other small villages. While we the Yorubas pride ourselves as the most culture rich and conscious groups of Nigerians, my visit to culture dominated Warri and environs has radicalised my orientation. Everywhere we visited I was given kola, drinks (local gin) with different sum of money accompanying the kola.
I was 'culturized' to always pocket the money while everybody would share in the other items of hospitality and welcome. In Warri area, especially the Urhobos and Isokos, only the younger persons are expected to kneel and greet the elderly ones first. The elderly don't ever genuflect, bow or kneel for the young ones. The young ones will say 'migwo' or 'digwo' (that is 'I am on my knees') and the senior person will respond 'vre nigwe' or 'kpamanigwe' (that is 'rise from your knees'). Among these people too, all young ones present where an elderly person is eating must greet him as he is about to begin and after he finished. This is done whether the young ones are eating with him or not.
Another intresting thing I learnt is about their style of marriage. Their marriage ceremonies are very simple and cheap to commence and finish. The differences between how the ethnic groups in the Warri area marry and Yoruba marriage ceremonies in minor specific details, not in substance. Because of cultural diversities, their girls boast of different shade of beauty. What I saw or even did in this regard is outside the scope of this narration. Suffice to say that I enjoyed myself within reasons and moderation.
My Isoko friends and host in preparing dishes, with assorted fresh fishes and bush meat. For the sheer variety and deliciousness of their dishes, one would have stayed at least six more months! They boast of different recipes. It surpasses what we have back in my part of the country. Have you eaten starch with banga soup before? What about assorted types of pepper soup? Have you ever eaten what the Urhobos and Isokos call Ukodo? This rich dish can make one forget his or her name! It was my host's place that I discovered the oiled brand which I've been used to all my life before the visit.
Most of the people I interacted with during my stay in Warri were polyglots. Most people could speak three languages. This is influenced by a combination of factors especially ethnic inter-marriage and their penchant for good social mixing together. A visitor or a foreigner will not have any problem communicating with the Warri people. They are mostly literate and illiterate ones speak richly, impeccable pidgin with English which one could not help but admire and learn. Even their aged ones speak pidgin with admirable fluency!
I fell in love with thier ways of life, rich veriegated dishes and their easy-going attitude to life.
Prior to my visit and arrival in Warri town, the only thing I knew about it was that Warri is a small port town with an aerodrome, a few national industries, the iron and steel, and petrochemical companies. One thing that thrills me about Warri is its metropolitan nature. The natives include the Urhobos, Isokos, Ijaws, Kwales and the Itsekiris. These distinct ethnic groups provide an interesting group of people. Although they differ in language but they largely dress the same way and eat the same types of food.
Within the second day of my arrival, my host took me to all the parts of Warri township, neighboring towns like Ughelli, Sapele, Abraka, Ozoro, Oleg, Kwale and other small villages. While we the Yorubas pride ourselves as the most culture rich and conscious groups of Nigerians, my visit to culture dominated Warri and environs has radicalised my orientation. Everywhere we visited I was given kola, drinks (local gin) with different sum of money accompanying the kola.
I was 'culturized' to always pocket the money while everybody would share in the other items of hospitality and welcome. In Warri area, especially the Urhobos and Isokos, only the younger persons are expected to kneel and greet the elderly ones first. The elderly don't ever genuflect, bow or kneel for the young ones. The young ones will say 'migwo' or 'digwo' (that is 'I am on my knees') and the senior person will respond 'vre nigwe' or 'kpamanigwe' (that is 'rise from your knees'). Among these people too, all young ones present where an elderly person is eating must greet him as he is about to begin and after he finished. This is done whether the young ones are eating with him or not.
Another intresting thing I learnt is about their style of marriage. Their marriage ceremonies are very simple and cheap to commence and finish. The differences between how the ethnic groups in the Warri area marry and Yoruba marriage ceremonies in minor specific details, not in substance. Because of cultural diversities, their girls boast of different shade of beauty. What I saw or even did in this regard is outside the scope of this narration. Suffice to say that I enjoyed myself within reasons and moderation.
My Isoko friends and host in preparing dishes, with assorted fresh fishes and bush meat. For the sheer variety and deliciousness of their dishes, one would have stayed at least six more months! They boast of different recipes. It surpasses what we have back in my part of the country. Have you eaten starch with banga soup before? What about assorted types of pepper soup? Have you ever eaten what the Urhobos and Isokos call Ukodo? This rich dish can make one forget his or her name! It was my host's place that I discovered the oiled brand which I've been used to all my life before the visit.
Most of the people I interacted with during my stay in Warri were polyglots. Most people could speak three languages. This is influenced by a combination of factors especially ethnic inter-marriage and their penchant for good social mixing together. A visitor or a foreigner will not have any problem communicating with the Warri people. They are mostly literate and illiterate ones speak richly, impeccable pidgin with English which one could not help but admire and learn. Even their aged ones speak pidgin with admirable fluency!
I fell in love with thier ways of life, rich veriegated dishes and their easy-going attitude to life.
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