Bride Didn’t Kneel During A Yoruba Traditional Wedding

Eniola is a vlogger, and a Yoruba girl. She recently had her Yoruba traditional wedding and revealed beautiful pictures of the ceremony.

Whilst talking about the ceremony, she revealed that she and her husband decided not to enforce certain Yoruba customs during the ceremony. The particular custom they eliminated was that of the new bride kneeling to greet her husband.

Speaking of submission, during my Yoruba engagement, my husband and I told the Alagas to not use that word or ask me to kneel for him. Everyone told me it wouldn't be possible because, culture. But guess whose knees didn't touch the ground? pic.twitter.com/JzzwRkhlgB

— beauty. spirit. light. (@EniolaHu) August 23, 2018

Now this custom is a deeply entrenched part of a Yoruba traditional wedding. Thus, it was newsworthy that she managed to circumvent it. She further explained how her family approves of this.

My sister’s wedding was earlier this week and she also warned against using the term “ile oko” (husband’s house). Everyone is setting their house rules and removing the bs one act at a time.
Looking forward to subversive “no wedding” family members lol

— beauty. spirit. light. (@EniolaHu) August 23, 2018

As such, there have been tons of reactions to what happened. See them below;

1.Those who love what she did and support it:

I asked "What is a feminist marriage?" and @EniolaHu was like "HOLD MY GELE!" Giving them Yoruba wedding, terms and conditions fully applicable 😂😂😂 I am living! Congratulations, love. You're a star and I'm sure Oko Eniola is proud AF. https://t.co/zOyJUrZ828

— OluTimehin Adegbeye (@OhTimehin) August 24, 2018

Eniola I totally love this ! Huge fan of what you did here 💚✌️Had to send this to bae.

I really wish more Nigerian women become bold like you and not succumb to patriarchy 🤙👌

— – 🦂 (@Temi_Teflon) August 24, 2018

My favorite thing is Nigerian men losing their shit because Nigerian women won't follow "tradition" because tradition has ever favored women. Fuck that. Please continue to not follow it sisters. During your trad, drink the palmwine before you get to your husband.

— Panda (@Rimzzzeee) August 24, 2018

2.Those who blame feminism for her actions:

Don't be surprised her husband isn't on twitter. This isn't cool OK! Follow the culture, it has nothing to do with the toxic feminism you profess. Also, when you want to give your hubby 'head' stand please.

— Helen Okan (@HelenOkan_) August 24, 2018

My problem is when you cry for your husband to “provide” for the family because he’s a “man” but refuse to acknowledge the fact that same bible that commanded the man to provide for the family is the same that reverences submission of the woman to the man.

— Alhaji Pitakwa (@KingOnAire) August 24, 2018

Your husband think he got a wife, not knowing he just brought his fellow man in. Bitch feminist 😂😂

— ROYAL_Delhi 👑👑 (@HenrikNd) August 23, 2018

I’m not yoruba and not really sure of the culture but you not kneeling down for the sake of your husband and traditional rights is another level of woke stupidity not feminism!🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️

— hot kek 🥵 (@hotkek__) August 24, 2018

3. People who wonder why this is trending:

Her husband’s family didn’t scatter the wedding. Her own family didn’t not scatter the wedding because she didn’t kneel down.

but there’s fire on twitter.

— Mazi Ibe (@MaziIbe_) August 24, 2018

I saw Yoruba trending. I thought it was for something ingenious. 5 minutes kneeling down that doesn't add or subtract to/from you? People just tweet nonesense because they have data. I see why internet is expensive here.

— Gbemileke Adeoti (@gbemilekeadeoti) August 24, 2018

4. Those who are hailing the tradition:

I truly don't see anything wrong in the Yoruba culture that makes a woman kneel for her man on the traditional wedding day. Why? Its a sign of respect, that doesn't mean kneeling is the meaning of respect,it just stands as a sign,a symbol.

— Tomomewo toyin (@ToyinToyint9) August 24, 2018

It is fine that some couples are rejecting symbolic gestures such as a wife kneeling for her husband during the Yoruba traditional wedding. Everyone is entitled to their choices. I just find it amusing we are quicker to find holes in gestures than those of our colonial masters

— Babanla (@biolakazeem) August 24, 2018

5. Those who are condemning the tradition:

Men are out here saying that the man prostrates too but the man prostrates to the bride's parents not the bride. The bride however kneels for the man.

It isn't the same thing. Some of y'all are just being deliberately obtuse.

— Straightn't (@kehinde_bb) August 23, 2018

6. People who are spurred to ask other questions:

Hope ur husband now answers your surname, if not… U are just an Hypocrite

— *Gannicus Ore Spartacus* (@adesurplux) August 23, 2018

Seeing that you're a Yoruba lady, I'd like to know if your husband "prostrated" during this so called traditional wedding. If he didn't, y'all are the perfect couple. But I just wanna know though, did he? @EniolaHu

— W.A.T.E.R-M.E.L.O.N 🍉🍈🍉 (@A_Y_X_R) August 24, 2018

7. Those who vehemently disagree with her actions:

How will you choose some from culture and abandon some?? Anyway bible say it all.
Wife material is hard to get.
If you can’t kneel before me, the marriage will be canceled right there.

— ROYAL_Delhi 👑👑 (@HenrikNd) August 23, 2018

If you can't follow tradition and culture in a YORUBA engagement then you have no business doing it. What Eniola had was a FORUBA engagement and not YORUBA engagement. She is probably one of those white wannabees,probably haven't even been to motherland before. #YORUBA

— FactsOnly (@songmeet101) August 24, 2018

8. People who realize she has rights, and can do what she pleases during her wedding:

That's how some bloke messaged me talking about how can I be a feminist as an Igbo woman. That it's against our culture. Was flabbergasted, when has culture ever fed me?

— 🧜‍♀️🧜‍♀️ (@Anyaato) August 24, 2018

Hi everyone. I thoroughly enjoyed this thread. First of a happy married life to you,and all the best in your marital bliss. To the subject, personally speaking I feel and have observed various cultures changing with time, rather than curse, please do what works for you.

— Shedrack Igho (@SheddyOnTheBeat) August 24, 2018

I swear I’ve realized there’s no hope. Nigerian men want women on their knees in every sense.

They are frothing at our attempt to deprive them of these things that they apparently can’t live without.

And the pick mes🤦🏾‍♀️

— Kamalu (@Numzyrumzy) August 24, 2018

Kneeling is a sign of respect. Yoruba homes, you kneel to greet your elders but I always hug my folks. Kneeling down wasn’t mandatory in our home but when visitors come? I kneel because … home training. In essence? Do you.

— FireBrand 💛 (@RebelleKush) August 24, 2018

9. Those making future plans already:

I'm going to kneel for my Groom on my Wedding day and every other day when the need arises, I'm going to call him Olowoorimi.

All these fake woke Aunties should take a bow & STFU.

I'm a thoroughbred Yoruba Lady and my Grandma Raised me right.

It's My Culture and I love it.

— Ondo Baker/Event Planner. (@lajokejcc) August 24, 2018

10. People stating opinions:

I told someone before, the average Nigerian is like a white blood cell. Once they notice any difference of opinion when it comes to culture, religion, etc their brain goes into attack mode.

Just seeing someone being left handed, the right side of their brain starts to twitch.

— Bruce Bateman Esq (@sugabillionaire) August 24, 2018

pic.twitter.com/YRYYl0Mcin

— Hvidvr 🕊🕊 (@Aliyy___) August 24, 2018

Some people will allow religion and anachronistic practices make them switch off their brainpower metre and critical thinking.

Once I hear, "our tradition (the one written by humans especially those based on phallogocentric views) and religion says…."

Me: pic.twitter.com/WEwps5pm5g

— Bren🌱 (@MomentsWithBren) August 24, 2018

11. Folks who have raised other issues:

Pardon my tribalism. The little i know about yoruba ladies around me is that they are constantly hustling for husband,So all this i cannot kneel yada yada yada is wash.

— Mz-Yina (@cookie_jarh) August 24, 2018

So Yoruba Is trending cos someone is stupid enough to say She Aint Kneeling For Her Husband On The Traditional Wedding Day, LMAO ……………………. But You will Kneel To Give Head 😂😂😂😂😂You are a Full Fledged Bastard pic.twitter.com/IrWtXhQCkw

— 🇨🇦🇳🇬 HARD GUY 🇳🇬🇨🇦 (@Makavelyy_) August 24, 2018

I knelt to propose to my girlfriend, she's now my wife… According to Nigerian Twitter that means she's superior to me.

Everybody finding ways to be relevant in their own corner. Oh well.

PS: My own Yoruba background taught me prostrating/kneeling is a way to honor people.

— J. Taiwo Orilogbon (@logbon72) August 24, 2018

Yoruba people are having problems with kneeling / not kneeling for their husbands..

We Igbos, e no concern us.

— E B U K A (bu bu) 👑 (@Mcberth_Playkul) August 24, 2018

This one everyone is kneeling and unkneeling..Yoruba o, igbo o, calabar o.
E nor concern me.
I am only imagining returning home from work or a stressful day and my husband hasn't gotten my food ready.
Imagine that.. How rude!
We done dude.

— Xtra DIDI🍜📚 (@thic_didi) August 24, 2018

Go and read Timothy:2: 8-15.
After,you know that you just did nonsense. Mitcheeeew

— ROYAL_Delhi 👑👑 (@HenrikNd) August 23, 2018

This thread has been very interesting. It has a lot of clapbacks and is quite active. What do you think of this? Let us know in the comments.

Ndewoo!