Owambe Things: Me No Likey

For those that don't know what it means, it is a commonly used term to refer to large Nigerian (overcrowded) parties or the act of always showing up to parties/events whether you know the celebrant or not.

I'm not even going to name names or pinpoint a particular cultural group who are fond of keeping their weekends busy hopping from one wedding to another event to a social gathering to a surprise birthday party to a store opening launch to a house party to a bridal shower to a baby shower back to another wedding and then you are always sewing asoebi one after the other! I think it's a personal choice not necessarily a cultural preference c

Call me old fashioned and boring but if I don't know you and we have never had a conversation, as in never ever, and you are my friend's friend's cousins best friend's sister then I'm sorry, I'm not coming to add to your head count. I can't make it to your special occasion. I wouldn't even send you a "sorry I couldn't make it" card because you don't even know me and you weren't expecting me either. Too much of everything is not good. I am too busy having a life (call it what you like), to waste my precious time going to a social gathering to listen to loud Afrobeats, eat jollof rice and moin moin and orishirishi and have empty conversations to while away the time. I guess I am not that friendly and outgoing afterall. Oops. My time has to be spent on something meaningful and productive. I have children who keep me busy all day so taking time out to buy you a present, fix my hair (again), nails (again), colour coordinated Asoebi or a new outfit (again), shoes (again) and everything else that comes with attending a special event, I have to know YOU. It's a pretty small world so I know I am likely to bump into someone that I know at your event but I have to know you on a name to name basis. Why would I willingly put myself in a position to bump into strangers? All the people I already want as a friend are already on my contact list on my phone. I'm afraid owambes are just not me. Besides, would you want me at your event if you didn't know me? I trust you will keep giving me the side eye until I introduce myself as your friend's best friend's cousins friend's sister or something. 

Don't get me wrong, if I know you, and I am available and in your city, I will show up to your event. I am a little kid at heart and I love music, food and laughter. But unless I was invited by the celebrant (or immediate relative to the celebrant but I know you and we have had a conversation), then count me out of your amazing day. I would rather spend quality time with my children doing something that will put more smiles on their faces. 

Be Inspired

xoxo