We weren’t exactly sure why we were there. The five of us sat with straight faces and glassy eyes around the shiny conference table, listening to the voice of the CNN reporter discuss the implications the natural disaster in Japan will have on the electronics market. We were tired–Oyinbos dislike waking up at 5:30 a.m. All we knew was we had arrived at the girls’ college in Ikeja, Lagos to do some sort of speech that required us to wear Yoruba outfits. Finally a Madame entered, wearing a lovely collared shirt, black skirt and high-waisted belt-a stark contrast to our brightly colored long ankara outfits. She hugged each of us, told me she loved my latest video on YouTube and passed out the programs for the day. This woman turned out to be the director of Vivian Fowler, Mrs. Funke Amba. After that day, I now refer to her as Aunty Funke.
Thursday, March 17, 2011 was deemed Yoruba Day at Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls–a day for us, the Yoruba speaking Oyinbos, to plant a little seed of shame, amazement and most of all motivation in the hearts of ajebota secondary school children who don’t care to speak their native language. Yoruba Day started with giving us a tour of campus. Once you enter through the main gate, just past the hedge trimmed to spell V-i-v-i-a-n-F-o-w-l-e-r, you cast your eyes upon a impeccably kept courtyard with more impressive bush shapes–a horse, a man and woman are among the bush figures. The tour, led all in Yoruba on Yoruba Day of course, brought us to the fully stocked chemistry labs, home economics rooms, art gallery full of works of students’ art, a full court basketball court, and the peaceful, sparkling library with an impressive collection of worldly books. I was impressed. Students in tidy, well ironed light orange and blue uniforms greeted us politely in English as we roamed the campus. Any child would be lucky to go to a school like Vivian Fowler.
The program started like all Yoruba events, introducing the important guests. Among them were very important people in education in Lagos State, the King of Lagos’ chiefs, and us! We sat on couches on either side of the stage-boys on one side, girls on the other-covered in adire cloth and stood up to wave to the audience when they introduced each of us. We heard speeches from University of Ife Professor Wale Omole, one of the king’s chiefs and Mrs. F.O. Erogbogbo, the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Education in Lagos state. After a few interludes of Yoruba entertainment we heard speeches from students from each of the secondary schools present. When it was our turn to speak I was nervous, as usual. I wanted to make a comprehensive speech that not only impressed people, but also conveyed a serious message to the students about reviving their native language. I started by going down on my knees to greet everyone, a proper Yoruba greeting. I spoke about our experience in University of Ibadan and how we really shock people when they hear Yoruba come out of our mouths, but they still speak English back to us. I told them that they should use us Yoruba speaking white people as an ipenija, challenge. N ko fe ki oju ti won, mo fe fun won ni imisi lati ko Yoruba sii. I told them to watch Mainframe movies, listen to singers like Asa where they can hear ijinle Yoruba. They can also read books, but sometimes Yoruba books can be very difficult to get through (I’m reading ‘Alo Ijapa’ right now and it can be hard for me to fully understand at moments.) I think I spoke well for not having any time to prepare or practice. I left the stage feeling pleased, like I said something that might actually ignite a fire in some of the students’ hearts for the Yoruba language.
The event went smoothly, as to be expected from such a fine school like Vivian Fowler. Mrs. Funke Amba, the director of the school, organized event after seeing us in the Punch newspaper and saw that it did not fall victim to too much Africa time. They gave us beautiful cloth as gifts (adire for the girls and guinea for the boys). After the program we moved outside where we stood in one spot smiling for almost an hour while groups of students and adults filtered through and clicked obscene amounts of pictures. All the while, journalists and camera crews stood by desperately trying to interview us. I felt a little like an animal in a zoo, but it was all for a good cause. Right before we got in the car to leave, a young girl, she must have been no older than 12 ran up to me and asked, “can I hug you?” She wrapped her hands around my waist, pressed her head into my chest and gave me the tightest hug. Hopefully that’s a sign we got through to them.
love the speech it overwhelming and impressive want to do that also
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It really was shocking when I saw and heard you guyz speak Yoruba…
Good job…
Dont stop speaking it 🙂
Thankyou for setting a good example for the younger generation
I am a JSS1 student at Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls and was among the few students that witnessed the Yoruba Day event in the hall. It was really nice. Aunty Titi(Cara) and the others were really friendly. I hugged everyone of them! I mean, they really showed us the need to appreciate the Yoruba culture. If the Americans can speak, what excuse do we have not to be able to speak. Thank u Aunty Titi, Uncle Kayode, Unc. Akinwunmi, Unc. Kolawole and Aunt. Abike for expsoing to us the real reasons why learning our language is important.
How 2 see u all again soon,
Lots of Love.
I went here!! I miss the school! I’m happy they treated you guys well
LOOOOL sorry I just had to LOL. I’ve been following your blog now for a while and I am interested in your journey but never commented but today I just had to. Wow I felt slightly embarrassed and a little amused reading this post because I went to Vivian Fowler for the 6 yrs of my secondary school education and not once did we ever have a Yoruba day; but then I know how Vivian Fowler works and they probably saw this as an opportunity to do something good.
I’m glad you liked the library there, that was my favourite place in the whole school, used to skip classes just to read the books.
But anyways, I really do find your journey interesting, I’ve been thinking of taking a gap year and to explore France but I am to scared to take on a new language to learn. But I find your story a true inspiration and I hope one day I actually stop being such a chicken and go to France.
Side Bar: did u see the mini zoo we have there?
Inu mi dun pupo pupo lati ri pe awon oyinbo yii nso ede abinibi wa. Ekare lai.
[…] merry way. ::Surprise as undergraduate Americans teach Nigerians Yoruba:: The article is about the program we did at Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls a few weeks ago. It is well written for the most […]
am so happy to know this, and am so happy for you!
Aww you went to my high school!! How amazing. Taking pictures for an hour?? wow! That must have been brutal under the hot sun.
I’m so proud of you. I feel a weird connection to you. Your videos and post have encouraged me to speak more Yourba at home and to speak it correctly.
x
Tinu
Hello Cara,
I’m a graduate student from Harvard, in Lagos for a few weeks (shooting some episodes for my documentary series). I’d like to do an episode on you and your friends’ adventure in Ibadan. Please visit our Facebook page (search: Verity Africa) or our website http://www.verityafrica.com to see excerpts of our videos. You can email me at emenanjo@fas.harvard.edu.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Best,
Ijeoma Emenanjo
Titi,
Sorry i forgot to mention that i know Professor Omole very well and the Oba of Lagos use to be my late mother inlaw’s boss before he became Oba of Lagos. Take care and have a terrific day.
Lou
Titi,
As usual, this is just too fantastic! Personally, i don’t understand why these schools don’t teach these kids their native language and let them speak it freely in their school premises. I believe kids that are opportune to live in Nigeria should be able to understand and speak their language, am always dumb founded when some come to US for vacation and they converse with me in english only. Again, you guys are doing a great job in saving our great culture and language especially when you knelt down to greet the elders which moved me to tears. Hopefully, those kids will appreciate Yoruba more and please let me know, if you will be willing to do such a good cause when you come back to the US. Thanks and you made my day again as usual.
Lou
Thanks so much for sharing your moments with those of us who could not be there. This is a very positive moment for Nigeria and it is good news coming out of Nigeria. I hope you and your team will do a documentary on your stay in Nigeria and maybe as a result will inspire other Oyinbos to study in Nigeria in the future.
Meanwhile, I am still waiting for the information on the state of the internet access at UI campus and the state of the UI Library.
You could send me an email.
Regards and continue enjoying the Nigerian hospitality
Zikite
Does Aunty Funke have any relation to the Newport Beach Fünkes?
Great blogging Cara ‘Titi’.
James, so great to know you are reading. Lol, I wish they were related. Thanks so much for commenting! Hope everything with you is good.
Alaways pack a snack + drink whenever you out and about in Nija, We are not time conscious. We can go fasting as long there is fun, who remembers food or tea break?
Wow….Great job guys! Emi naa yio wa lati New Jersey lati wa se eto eko rampe kan ni ile iwosan UCH ni osu to n bo lagbara Olorun, Inu mi yio dun lati ri awon oyinbo to n fi ede yoruba dara ni ilu Ibadan. E kare laye.
Wonderful post, pics, YOU! You are making a difference. No surprise there! Proud of you beyond words!
remember vivian fowler was my “dream school” about 13 years ago, lol. ended up settling for something cheaper nearer my home. Still gutted though.
The work you are doing is truly remarkable. When I first heard you speak I was struck with awe and at the same time humility. Your efforts are truly commendable.
What can I say? I was born in England and have lived in German speaking countries for well over 30 years. I am very Nigerian but sadly speak little of my native Yoruba language. Just hearing of the exploits of you and your fellow colleagues in Ibadan and around Nigeria gives me a sensation of deep inner happiness.
I would love to command the Yoruba language like you do. To experience the vibrancy of the culture as you all are doing.
I wish you much joy and success as you continue on this your incredible journey.
Eyin omode wonyi gbayi gan ni. Thats very impressive taking a day out with those young school children and let them understand the need to encourage them speak their native language.And not call it Vernacular language.Well done guys
I like the humor that your blog has Iam subscibed and I find myself always chuckling as I read through… Yes Nigerians like pictures..
I am very much delighted to know that you are still in Nigeria continuing your program. Your last blog I watched gave me the impression that you are not in Nigeria anymore.
The Vivian Fowler’s program was an insteresting one and I do encourage other schools to emulate to put our new Yoruba generation on the true tract.
I am actually not in Nigeria now, but I do promise you guys that I will check on you anytime I come to Nigeria.
Thank you very much for promoting our culture.
Ibrahim Aramide Salihu
+60166123950
Speechless and impeccable are the only ways I can describe your use of the language and your narrative skill! Ayangbayi is one of my favourite quote in the writeup.. I can’t all but wonder everyday about your determination…. Bravo!
Overwhelmingly impressive! Your great efforts at waking up the sun of consciousness and awareness in Yoruba’s are appreciated. Godspeed!