Nigerian Women And Owanbe Are Inseparable

Nov 16, 2017 – Nigerian Women And Owanbe Are Inseparable

By Lola Adeyoriju

Owanbe in Nigeria is something that can never be overemphasized.

This is because, despite the fact that it is an expensive celebration, it comes with loads of happiness and merriment, this is why some would do everything in their power to make it worthwhile.

Ówànbę is a Yoruba word gotten from the sequence Ó-wà-ní-ibę which literally means “it is here”, but the connotative meaning is “the party is happening here”.

Customarily, when a Nigerian mentions “Owanbe”, such person is referring to a typical Yoruba party, but now most people use the term Owanbe to generally describe Nigerian parties- regardless of the tribe or ethnic group.

Common types of Owanbe includes wedding parties, birthday parties, retirement parties, coronation ceremonies, celebration of life (burial for old people), and so on.

One interesting thing about an Owanbe is the Aso Ebí (uniformed clothing).

When the date for an Owanbe is fixed, the celebrant will sell a fabric (native) with matching headgear that has been picked; everyone attending that event is meant to wear it- this cloth is called the Aso Ebi.

It is so easy to point out friends and families of the host at the venue of the party.

This is because you would always find them dressed in the Aso Ebi.

It could either be lace, George or an Ankara fabric.

The women are the ones that daze us with various extravagant styles of the Aso Ebi that are often posted on Instagram and published in fashion magazines.

Usually, the tribe of the celebrant determines the kind of Aso Ebi. For instance if it’s an Igbo wedding, the Aso Ebi will be: a George wrapper and a blouse with the normal headgear (Sego), but if it’s a Yoruba wedding, we’ll have lace and Aso Ofi head gear grace the occasion.

At a typical Owanbe, you would find women slaying in their beautiful outfits, men in Atiku, enough food, drinks and souvenirs for everyone, people spraying money, a Disk Jockey ( DJ ) and a live band to entertain people with music.

Nigerian women and Owanbe are inseparable, except of course, when the world has finally come to an end.

However, what some people have failed to realize is that an Owanbe does not have to be so elaborate for people to attend.

Owanbe is meant for people to celebrate and make merry, it should not seem like a competition.

Whether it is a big party or not, everyone is meant to be happy

and it is an avenue to meet distant relatives and highly recognized dignitaries.