The End of the Greeting Custom

When I was a child, I was taught to respect all elders. In those days, you don't have to know an elderly person before you show your respect by greeting them. In fact its expected of you as a child.

I grew up in a city in Kogi State, Kabba. There we have these peace loving people who won't only cook for their family alone but also for their neighbors. You see them carrying a tray on their heads sharing food. Greeting in Kabba is something that I can refer to as the core of their custom. They can greet to the extent of irritation. Something like "Okun henh, okun hun, okun hehn" they continue making that sound even when they've walked far away from you.

This custom started to change when we were started to be taught not to talk to strangers. The world started changing, customs are be swept under the carpet of civilization on the quest to ensure security for we the children. The abolishment of this custom was also based on the rate at which children are been kidnapped back then.

When I moved to Lagos, I find it extremely hard to walk pass an elderly person and not greet them. I look at them wanting to open my mouth but the kind of look I get from them was like "Do you know me somewhere?" Or "Who be this?"

So far from that expectation of the elderly back then that a child greets, these elders aren't seeing greeting as an obligation of a younger person or a child.

Recently, I greeted an elderly man that I don't know from Adam, he smiled at me, answered me so well and said "My son, do you know me?" I said "No sir" and he said "You must have been taught so well" I felt so good deep inside me.

If only this custom could be brought back.

I hope you enjoyed this piece. It'll only get better.

Next, I will be writing about the difference between the values impacted in those that grew in the villages and that of those in the cities. Till then.. Peace!!!