An anthropological analysis of the Yoruba greeting culture

ABSTRACT

This study examined the Yorùbá traditional greeting culture and what is obtainable today. The aim is to examine the perceived causes of the decline in Yorùbá greeting-culture among the younger generation today. Primary data were retrieved through in-depth interview while a total of 20 respondents selected through purposive and convenience sampling methods participated in the study. The study was explained with the cultural diffusion theory while transcripts was coded and transcribed using ATLAS.ti version 8. Findings revealed that, poor parental socialization, prohibition of Yorùbá language as a means of communication in schools, westernization, peer group influence, Internet and social media were the perceived causes of the decline among the respondents in the study. It concludes that even though the perception is that young people do not perform traditional Yorùbá greetings as often as the older generation nevertheless, they are concerned about this seeming erosion that is not as a result of personal preferences but attributed to external forces. The family and other agents of socialization are therefore encouraged to embrace the Yorùbá greeting culture and internalise same on them in order to protect and preserve this rich cultural heritage from going into extinction.

KEYWORDS:

• Greeting
• Yorùbá
• westernization
• internet and social media
• peer group influence
• vernacular

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Joseph A. Oluyemi

Joseph Oluyemi is a PhD candidate at the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Nelson Mandela University, South Africa. His research areas include health and illness, gender studies, religion, aged, children, youth and family as well as cultural anthropology.

Fagbamila D. Olumide

Fagbamila Olumide holds a PhD in sociology. He holds a faculty position in sociology with over eight years experience. His research interest includes migration and corruption studies.