Opinion: The 12 top reasons why Igbos and Yorubas should not marry

by

Whether you are aware of it or not, many inter-tribal relationships have died an untimely death because of the tribal differences between the couple. Parents, elders, and friends have rained down fire and brimstone to see to it that this sacrilegious union does not get to the altar. The strong couples come out of it beaten, bruised, but alive nonetheless. The weaker ones — well, they inspire me to write this.

Couples who are NOT the people I'm talking about (but who look good on my blog)

Couples who are NOT the people I’m talking about (but who look good on my blog)

The most popular union seems to be the one between the Igbos and the Yorubas. With this in mind, I have compiled a list, specially for everyone who is currently in such a relationship.  If you have been pressured into breaking up because of tribal differences and you have no idea why you should – or if you should, then I am here to help you make that decision. Please read, digest, and understand the lists below.

Reasons Igbos Should NOT Marry Yorubas:

1. They’re dirty.

2. All they know how to do is party.

3. They eat too much oil.

4. Their women flirt/sleep around too much.

5. Their men will ALWAYS cheat with a Yoruba woman.

6. They are loud and obnoxious. You can hear them from a mile away.

7.  They are wild. They are the real “Akata” people.

8. They are Nigeria’s problem.

9. They don’t understand the Igbo culture.

10.  They do too much juju.

11.  They betrayed the Igbos during the Biafran war.

12. And to top the list, they are not Igbo.

Reasons Yorubas Should NOT Marry Igbos:

1. They’re rude; they have no respect.

2. All they know how to do is chase money.

3. Their pounded yam is as hard as stone.

4. They don’t put enough oil and spice in their food.

5. Their in-laws are wicked! The husband’s family will always maltreat the woman.

6. They cannot speak Yoruba, and even if they can, they do not know our culture.

7. They will sell their brother for money.

8. They won’t let us play our fuji music at home.

9. They’re Nigeria’s problem. They keep trying to divide us.

10. When their women die, their bodies have to be returned to Igbo Land to be buried.

11. They eat human beings.

12. And the mother of all crimes, they are not Yoruba.

Top 12 Reasons You Should NOT Consider Before Getting Married

1. He/she does not appreciate you.

2. He/she has a turbulent past and a shaky present.

3. He/she can never be faithful to you. And you know this.

4. You have nothing in common, except your tribe, of course.

5. Your dreams, values, and aspirations couldn’t be further apart from each other – even if you stretched them thin.

6. He/she just doesn’t get you.

7. He/she knows how to bring out the worst in you.

8. You cannot quite place your finger on it, but you know that something isn’t right with this relationship.

9. You know that you know that you know that you cannot count on him/her to be there when you need him/her.

10. He/she has no ambition whatsoever.

11. Even with a gun to your head, you cannot vouch for him/her.

12. And the least of all, he/she has done nothing to imply that he/she might be remotely in love with you.

Bonus reason: he/she continuously picks his/her friends and family over you.

If you find yourself confused by the tone of this list, go back to the beginning and read it again till the end.  And just like the tributes in The Hunger Games, may the odds be ever in your favor.

Alternatively, you can find a partner who is Chinese-Iraqi, born in India, and fluent in Portuguese  and Italian. There is no list for that. Yet.

——————————————–

Vera Ezimora writes at VERASTIC

Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija

 

Comments (73)

  1. What should people call Nigerians that married people from another continent?This shows that they followed their heart and not what people might have against them.Nice piece of enlightment.

  2. That is a beautiful piece. It is for the critically minded and you need to read in between the lines to see eye to eye with the writer. The writer is not unconscious of the many but flimsy reasons people profer against itertribal marriages. The reasons elucidated in part two are only cogent if turned upside down. It is a sarcasm through and through. If one considers the above reasons Nigerians might never be integrated via marriage and the scepter of mutual suspicion could continue to be carried from one generation to another.

  3. Y wnt nigerians hate each oda? Wen sum1 wil wake up in the mornin n write bullshit. Writer tell mi wu did u marry or abt 2 marry? God bah!

  4. Maybe the writer intended to write satire or irony or maybe the writer wants us to think she intends to write satire or irony (which many people are already doing). I can see the irony but not the satire for these are 2 clearly different subjects. Even if the writer intended some sense of humor, I say that purpose is far defeated as many find this unfunny. Quite unfortunate. The only person that has lost here is the writer. Every other person should take a chill pill and stop swelling the writer’s head by fighting yerselves…and of course I disagree with the “high I.Q.” theory. Thank you.

  5. You’re the only person that’s made sense here. Maybe the writer intends to write satire or irony or maybe the writer wants us to think he/ she intends to write satire or irony (which many people are already doing). I can see the irony but not the satire for these are 2 clearly different subjects. Even if the writer intended some sense of humor, I say that purpose is far defeated as many find this unfunny. Quite unfortunate. The only person that has lost here is the writer. Every other person should take a chill pill and stop swelling the writer’s head by fighting yerselves…and of course I disagree with the “high I.Q.” theory. Thank you.

  6. its really sad that most of us have allowed ethnic differences take over our thinking IQ. Even a lay man can understand the message being passed by that article..THUMBS UP to YNAIJA

  7. Chill pple,I blive d writer is trying to expand ones school of thought..I don’t think he/she means no harm though most might be offended by dis but pls read d 3rd part carefully..Kudos writer..

  8. What rubbish, do people still think like this in this day and age?

  9. Ths writer is clueless

  10. Vera! Vera!! Vera!!! This is absolutely hillarious, I almost killed over from lafta while reading your piece, good Job girl! To all the people that have rained fire and brimstone on the writer, it is obvious that u all have a very very low sense of humour and cannot understand the irony of the piece even if God explained it to u all, so when next u come across articles like this please do not comment so that u don’t infect d rest of us with your lack of humour

  11. I am not surprised that the satirical value of this brilliantly written piece is lost on so many Nigerians ! Let’s try to read more books and fewer Blackberry Broadcast messages 🙂 Nicely done, Vera….very ‘verastic’ piece.

  12. In All tribes dey are some who are dirty, u don’t have to put it all on yorubas. By the way, u got no point in dat ariticle. I guess u just trying to find fame, next time make ur research well b4 posting online ……

  13. Believe it or not I am overwehlmed with boredom by all your repetitive comments both for or against the article. I mean 4 comments where enough for this 1 article can the rest of us just move on to Nigeria’s current problems. For example,all you Lagos dwellers,I hear Fashola has put a tax levy on celebrations e.g ‘owambe’ weddings blahblahblah..its called ‘merriment tax’. All we Nigerians know how to do is insult one another through the internet but to stand up to our government for going against the wishes of the people or passing rules without consulting the public..how can,we are to lazy,nonchalant,self-absorbed or scared to stand up for ourselves forgetting that in the very end its us who gets to suffer. Until we start thinking then we can start acting..as ONE people.

    1. Thank you. Don’t mind them. Nigerians can so focus on the most inconsequential things.

  14. It is exactly for the fact that some people might not undrstand irony wen dey see one is why one shuld not right an article like this addressing a large n versertile audience as u get on internet.
    And I believe one thing,yoruba,hausa,igbo and what have u,we are all one,one for all, all for one. The day we begin to see ourselves as brothers/sisters things will be better/best for our country,we owe ourselves dis much.
    Am a youruba lady,married to an igbo guy, like all marriages, we have our challenges. God sees us through,He is d source and essence of all union, don’t leave Him out.we don’t allow our families interfere.

  15. It is exactly for the fact that some people might not undrstand irony wen dey see one is why one shuld not right an article like this addressing a large n versertile audience as u get on internet.
    And I believe one thing,yoruba,hausa,igbo and what have u,we are all one,one for all, all for one. The day we begin to see ourselves as brothers/sisters things will be better/best for our country,we owe ourselves dis much.
    Am a youruba lady,married to an igbo guy, like all marriages, we have our challenges. God sees us through,He is d source and essence of all union, don't leave Him out.we don't allow our families interfere.

    1. Great comment.it is not good to generalize on issue that affects the heart.that somebody else union did not work becos of tribal difference doesnot guaranteethat someone elses union will also crash.ur union has been destined by God my dear so u and ur family will continue to celebrate more years ofbetter and beautiful things.love ur comment mrs and mama twins pls change ur surname to reflect ur new status.cheers

  16. If ù are one of those that think this wrie up is rubbish and baseless, I’d seriously advise you to go back to school bcos obviously you have never heard of the word “Irony”.

  17. The Article was only making a mockery of those people who put tribe first before getting into a relationship. This is what we call 'Sarcasm' people.

  18. What a cool and funny post. Love ur writing style. Some people are just too dumb. All of you hollaring and ranting and raving should be ashamed cos you’re just showing u dont understand English. Its an Ironical article, dummies. Pls get off the internet if your IQ level isnt high enough to understand the article.

  19. Everybody (at least, almost everybody) understands that the title of the article is ironic; however, it’s the manner with which she argued her case that’s the problem. Her argument was basically: “Reasons you ought to actually consider” trumps “trivial cultural differences”. The problem with this is that there’s definitely no clear indication that the writer was being sarcastic when she made up the “cultural differences” list which was clearly offensive. That’s why I said it’s irresponsible and promotes ethnic segregation even though she actually intended to achieve the opposite. I’m surprised nobody had actually seen it from that angle!

    1. To think you are actually defending your earlier post makes me think you are even more of a dumbass than I thought. Datsall

      1. Mother of god! You’re such a fucking idiot. You can’t give reasons as to why my position is flawed, all you do is call people names. Classic sign of idiocy, bloody troll!

  20. There is no sarcasm or irony in this piece. It betrays the fact that the owners of YNaija are Igbos. If you are trying sarcasm or some form of irony as a few lowly minded individuals are suggesting, why didn’t you add “DIRTY” to the descriptions of the Igbos?

    You can only fool fellow simpletons.

    1. But is true yourbas are too dirty why d sadness

  21. the list is purposely sarcastic. lol why don't you guys get it?

  22. The day nigerians will understand satire and sarcasm….

  23. really, i had a good laugh, more at the comments. am sure ts just for fun & outrightly nothing to get emotional about. alot of pple dont understand “sarcasm” so i guess it shldav been indicated and dis hulabaloo wouldav been prevented.

  24. This blog is stupid AF!!!!

  25. There is no exclamation mark to show the article is not for offence.

  26. LOL…It’s funny to see ppl taking this article so personal! It’s an irony… Jeez! Where r ur sense of humor ppl?

    1. It’s shocking the level of illiteracy and total lack of class that abounds especially among the Nigerian internet citizenry. This great article that has all the hallmarks of a classic satirical piece is what some people here apparently need a Dan Brown to decode for them? *seriously shaking my head in abject shame at my compatriots.* By the way, Yoruba people are the classiest Nigerians; and I am Igbo. Oh, Igbo people are probably the brainest, and I know a lot of smart Yorubas.

  27. the editor that approved this aricle to the published is so silly… meaningless article… No single sense in it… I know this is the kind of article CHUDE likes. He is tribalistic to a fault. We know his type

  28. These reasons do not make sense at all, its biased & is bn mis-interpreted. However it depends on d individual or the family. Have seen inter-tribal marriages suceed . Stop Brain washing people. Talk about more meaningful things.

  29. Unless I am misreading this piece, is this not just some satirical humour to get everyone's blood boiling? Made me laugh out loud! #just saying

  30. i think Ynaija should take this off their website ASAP.
    this rubbish has even been on the internet for more than 2years, so they laying claim to the ‘article’ is fraud..how low can you go?
    its even poorly written and was probably a comment on a blog or forum..
    i think i would just unfollow Ynaija altogether.you people are totally visionless!
    we dont know if you are a news website,blog,tabloid or forum.
    90% of what you published were stolen from the internet..
    CTRL c CTRL v….journalism
    P.S you need to pay the likes of dailymail for their stories you publish.

  31. This i think is 101 percent correct

  32. The most senseless article I’ve ever read.

  33. I see no sense in your so called post,every statement here is sentimental and not worthy of any applause, I suggest u should be thinking well before posting anything next time…this is all rubbish.

    1. lol this is just for laughs i am pretty sure about that.., thats why he/she said to read it again. it is actually the opposite that she means

  34. Lol…. Really funny….
    So dey r both Nigeria’s problem… Den wat wld u call d hausas?

  35. Nice article but can be easily misconstrued. There’s too much tribalistic tension in the air and people are very sensitive. But the message is clear, tribal differences should not matter in ur choice of a partner, there should be more to a person than their tribe and generally believed behaviours though I dare say that sometimes you can’t separate some people from the typical stereotype list no matter how polished or refined they may appear.

  36. People! Have sense! She dissed both tribes. Over some very ridiculous things. Lol! U ppl will just come here n c what u want 2 c. Sm1 thinks she’s supporting igbos. Anoda thinks she’s supporting yorubas. Just 2 show how silly, tribalistic n close-minded YOU r. Not 2 mention ignorant 4 u don’t understand irony. She’s trying 2 show us d silly reasons we despise anoda tribe. At d risk of repeating myself, have sense!

  37. It’s obvious a solid Yoruba babe snatched your guy from u and that kind of affects ur thinking n mentality. Pele. I don’t blame u but the people that allowed this to be published. Mtchew…oshi

    1. Abimbola, u don disgrace me o! Read the 3rd part of the article again it may help u understand it beta

  38. This article will only be understood by people with very high IQ, It’s like satire. I almost didn’t understand it. The most important section is the third: “Reasons you should NOT consider”, it helps you understand that “IRONY” is the word here, because there are actually the reasons you should consider.

    Furthermore, the heading is to get you to read first…. most of us will read the first line and get pissed off…

    1. Using the words ‘high IQ’ beside this shallow & lame write-up is the worst oxymoron ever

  39. Simple, interesting and ironic.
    It takes a brilliant mind to understand the article. The writer is neither tribalistic nor biased. She comically pointed out the baseless reasons Nigerians give to discourage their people from getting into inter-tribal relationship. If you read the last paragraph well, you will agree with me that she was making a mockery of those people who put tribe first before getting into a relationship.
    Nice piece.

    1. You made proud .. you are truly a son of a worthy father, you are wise my brother. The Article was making a mockery of those people who put tribe first before getting into a relationship. I agree with you.

  40. Pls calm down and read the article again. It states all the stereotypical maannerisms and behaviours of each tribe,but is actually telling you to not be foolish enough and let that stop you from being with whom you love regardless of their tribe. Heck,I’m Hausa and I want to marry an Igbo guy,but I know that’ll only happen in a parallel universe. But still its what I want.

    1. Bless you sis. People like you are what Nigeria needs.

    2. I’m Igbo.Will u marry me? 🙂

  41. What kind of article is dis???????? And I fink u switched that no 6 for yorubas have u ever tried staying beside an igbo man wen he is on d phone?????? I guess not

    1. On phone an igbo man can b noisy wen a yoruba man is disturbing the enviroment

  42. This is the worst rubbish i’ve read for a long time… I’m an igbo and have yoruba friends and I can’t still see any of ur reasons in their lifestyle…. Check urself and ur relationship if u have a problem and don’t generalize sure selfish reasons….

    1. Dude chill out, did u read the third part of d article?

  43. This is a very interesting article. For people that do not understand, the article is full of irony. Its actually telling us that the reasons why we think inter tribal marriage is wrong is stupid and fallacious. And that we must be wise. Thanks for the article.

    1. @ Mimi – God Bless you! I just Love your comment!! its refreshing to know that there are still people like you who get it!! Its really an interesting article.

    2. Thank you!
      Are some Nigerians really this stupid as not to understand irony?
      Some people should be banned from the internet!

      1. Yeah You are right some People should be banned !!!

  44. I’m very sure dis writer is not married…n obviously u av one beef for yoruba ppl, its a very rubbish post!it shouldn’t even be published in d first place..mtchew

    1. Dumbasserry. Datsall.

      1. Ur d 1 who’s dumb…bcos obviously d writer has a lot more bad things 2 say abt yoruba ppl than d other cos she aint yoruba! Irony or not its still bullshit..

  45. How can Y!Naija editors allow this kinda article on their site; it doesn’t even qualify to be an article. Very irresponsible of the writer to promote ethnic segregation, especially with stereotypes and untrue statements.

    1. LOOOOOOOOLLLLL. And this person will say 2mrw that GEJ is clueless.

    2. I very much agree with this, Y!Naija needs to be more responsible.

  46. Well. May the Odds favour You.

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