My Evening with the Nigerians

[Compry]

Last Tuesday night one of the ladies in my Bible study class invited me to their Nigerian End of Year celebrations. I didn't have any plans so I figured why not. At first it was just something to do instead of staying home but I must admit I had a really good time.

What I found interested was that every song they played for folks to dance to was a praise and worship song. My friend Osas generously interpreted the songs for me, even when we dance floor. Yep I was dancing to the beat of Nigerian music...pitiful sight but I managed.

I was touched how heartfelt the words to the songs were. In one song, the singer expressed how deep her love for God was and that she will worship Him with all that is in here. In another one, the singer pleaded to God to answer her prayers so she would not be ashamed around her enemies. Very cool.

Anyway, I was very impressed with the clothes and head-dresses so I thought I would share a few here. Hope you enjoy.

[Compry]

Re: My Evening with the Nigerians

I'm ready to go after Osas tied my head-dress.



Osas and I



My purse and shoes...I love 'em. The Nigerians really dress up when they go out and Osas made sure I did the same.

[Compry]

Re: My Evening with the Nigerians

The outfits were spectacular...I took this one before switching to night shots so it's bit dark.



I loved this outfit and she was such a nice lady.



All the members wore the same print. Here, the ladies are escorting a dignitary to the head table. Each time a member of the head table was introduced, the ladies would go to where they were and escorted them to the table by singing.

[Compry]

Re: My Evening with the Nigerians

One of the traditions of the evening was to break the kaolonut (sp). That is suppose to bring prosperity.



After it is broken by the head chief, it is brought around to the tables and you're suppose to eat it.

I took a tiny bite out of mine and that was it. I didn't like the taste.



By the way, that thing on the plate is actually a fried dumpling. They don't call it that though and I can't remember the name.

My dinner. Now I am very open when it comes to food. I love sushi, indian, middle eastern etc so I figured I would be OK with the meal here. Well I had a few challenges.



I was OK with the rice. The white lump is some type of yam that is pounded together. It was OK, but I couldn't eat it all, even though the amount on my plat was less than half of the regular serving. The orangy looking thing next to the rice is some type of beans that are washed, scrubbed and then pounded with peppers. I couldn't do it. I just didn't like the taste. The chicken was OK. Behind the rice was what Osas referred to as a soup. It was a mixture of cow's foot, fish and something else. The thought of having cow's foot and fish did not appeal to me but it actually tasted good.

[Compry]

Re: My Evening with the Nigerians

Notice the beads...according to Osas, they are Coral and they are very expensive. There were several folks wearing them and I couldn't help but wonder how rich these folks are.



Another tradition that happened all night was someone would go up to another person on the dance floor and shower him or her with money and lots of money. While the person is dancing, they would throw money, mostly US dollars, on the person. According to Osas, that is the show the person that you honor them. Nobody threw money at me. :bailout: Alright, so it's usually done for the dignitaries but hey I can dream.

Here they showered one of the chiefs...he's wearing the red outfit.

[Compry]

Re: My Evening with the Nigerians

It was a really nice evening but I was blown away by the head dresses so I decided to take a couple shots while folks weren't looking.







This guy caught me...



So he decided to pose for me



Check out the amount of material on this outfit.

[Compry]

Re: My Evening with the Nigerians

They had a performance by an acrobatic group. They reminded me of Johnkunoo (a suh ie spell?)



This guy kept turning the camera on me and taking still pictures. I actually feel for his trick when at the end of the night, he came over and asked me for my number so he can send the pictures to me. He is a professional photographer so I didn't think anything. At 4:00 a.m. this morning the guy called me to make sure I got home safe. Then he called back at 10:00 to let me know he was on his way to church and that he wanted to know if we could keep in touch. Lord have mercy. After seeing where he was coming from, I reminded him that he was married. The man sey that is not a problem. I have a feeling he thinks he's still in Nigeria.



The fella up above took this picture and no, I did not have any of the canei.



Anyway that was my night with the Nigerians. I would do it again.

[Bandana]

Re: My Evening with the Nigerians

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Compray</div><div class="ubbcode-body">


The white lump is some type of yam that is pounded together. </div></div>

I think the &quot;white lump&quot; is called Fu Fu Compray...

I am not a big fan of African food.


Imanni's Dad had one of those outfits with all the material, I used to wear it all the time when I was pregnant

[Bandana]

Re: My Evening with the Nigerians

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Compray</div><div class="ubbcode-body">



</div></div>



Look like the man ova yuh right shoulder check yuh out

[Magician]

Re: My Evening with the Nigerians

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Compray</div><div class="ubbcode-body">One of the traditions of the evening was to break the <span style="font-weight: bold">kaolonut (sp). </span>That is suppose to bring prosperity.</div></div>

It's Kola Nut . It spell easier than you thought!

[Compry]

Re: My Evening with the Nigerians

Thanks Magix. That's it. It didn't taste easy though.

[Compry]

Re: My Evening with the Nigerians

Danna...I don't know about that one but quite a few of them were checking me out and they are <span style="font-weight: bold">married</span>. Osas shared with me that her father has eight wives. Lord have mercy.

[annshan2]

Re: My Evening with the Nigerians

Compray luv de pichas i went to a nigerian wedding lass month great

[chitowngirl]

Re: My Evening with the Nigerians

My ex-husband is Nigerian and I have several dresses (w/ headwraps) that were made by my ex-sister-in-law

about the food: I consider myself very open but I could only ever stomach a few dishes (moi moi - made of boiled, skinned black-eyed peas) jollof rice, and what my ex-husband called &quot;stew&quot; (cow foot, stew meat, hard chicken) in a very spicey red sauce)

whatever that red oil is they use (is it palm oil?) and egusi soup

[R00TS]

Re: My Evening with the Nigerians

What an interesting and beautiful night
Thanks for sharing it with us.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Compray</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Osas and I
</div></div>

Lovely Compray