On #ThrowbackThursday, we would be looking at some family traditions. There are certain family practices peculiar to every home. If they are not done, it feels like a ‘taboo’ has been committed. These practices formed ‘bonds’ between family members. They ‘strengthened’ their relationships, keeping them united and happy. These family traditions have been passed from one generation to another.
Let’s see if you can relate with any of them below:
1. Morning prayers
Every family usually had morning prayers with the father serving as the chief priest. Very early in the morning before the sunsets, all family members gathered to sing hymns and songs then read a portion of the bible and discuss the learnings and takeaways. It was not funny on those occasions when one was sleepy and tired, the focus of the morning devotion would turn the sleepy offender. The prayers were also long on weekends when there was no pressure to prepare for work or school.
2. Travelling during festivities
Most families travelled to meet their grandparents and relations in the village during festivities especially Christmas. Another tradition was to come with gifts and foodstuffs. Families never travelled to and from the villages empty-handed. It was a rewarding experience reuniting with family members.
3. Eating rice on Sundays
I hardly know of any Nigerian family that does not eat the ‘sacred’ rice on Sundays. This is usually after Sunday service. The rice is accompanied by tasty stew and drinks to wash down. This has been the tradition because most times visitors come around on that day, so the rice would be a good meal to entertain them.
4. Strenuous jobs were left for the males in the house
House chores like washing the car, putting on the generator, changing the bulb, fixing a socket and other strenuous jobs were left for the males, the cooking, cleaning, sewing/knittingand home management was left for the females.
5. Buying uniforms and shoe sizes larger
With the rate at which children grow fast, the average Nigerian parent would not buy the exact size of clothes and shoes for their children for the fear that they would outgrow them soon. The usual practice was to buy a larger size for their children to grow into.
6. Family tribunal
Every family had a tribunal, like a courtroom where an offender had to defend himself or herself or face serious reprimanding and grounding. The offense could be as little as disobeying or being rude to an elder sibling or be as big as a report from school for bad behaviour or poor grades. The father was the judge and the mother was the assistant, their verdict was final and the consequences very grave. We all dreaded facing our family tribunal.