Sundays are unlike other days of the week among Nigerian families, especially the Christian ones. There are certain Sunday traditions that have become the norm in households across the Nigeria even though they are unwritten anywhere.
Gospel Music
The gospel artist, Buchi, must have sung “the gospel is not for Sunday morning alone” but for a lot of Nigerians, it is usually is. While people prepare for church, speakers are put on full blast to “Akanchawa”, Frank Edwards or Solomon Lange, depending on who’s playing. On other days you could hear a Wizkid or Olamide or Beyoncé. But not on Sunday mornings.
Rice & Stew
This is the most popular Nigerian Sunday tradition. Sunday lunch usually means boiled rice and tomato stew. Families stick to it like it’s a divine decree. Sometimes, things get shaken up for a change – jollof rice, fried rice, coconut rice, ofe akwu stew and rice – but in the end, rice is the common denominator. Non-Christian Nigerians have even adopted this ritual.
Family Time
Sundays are also reserved for family. Members of the family get the opportunity to talk for long or even hang out together in the manner that other days in the week do not present.
Visitors’ Day
Nigerians receive more casual visitors on Sundays than on any other day of the week. Relatives –distant and close – as well as old and new friends and colleagues at work find Sundays to be the perfect day to pay you a (mostly unannounced) visit. What are you waiting for? Dish out the rice, bring out the drinks. It’s Sunday afternoon in Nigeria!
