Owambe

Title: Owambe 

> Written by: Alalade Daniel Adedoyin-Melody 

> Owambe as it is popularly called which is interpreted in English as ‘’ It is there ‘’ are parties that are held on weekends especially on Saturdays. Owambe has its root in Lagos and have been widely embraced by other western regions of Nigeria ( Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, Osun and Oyo ). Owambe or ‘’ It is there ‘’ are parties that includes weddings, naming ceremony, House warming, burial ceremony, birthdays etc.

> Owambe is mostly common among the Yorubas and its usually involve elaborate celebration with variety of foods and drinks. It comes with expensive celebrations, Aso - Ebi is highly embraced to grace the occasion, music, dance and spraying of money are defining characteristics of a perfect owambe. The Yorubas are fond of parties and they use owambe to bring people together in order to celebrate their loved ones. However, it is almost impossible for there to be an owambe without the use of Aso - Ebi . Aso Ebi is the fore most defining characteristics of Owambe. Aso - Ebi is the choosing of a particular colour, pattern or style of cloth by a family or group of people and this helps to add colour and glamour to the event. Aso - Ebi has been widely embraced by the Yoruba as they believe that its brings about unity and friendliness in the society.

> Another characteristics of Owambe is that it’s serves as a means of Networking. It’s helps to bring different families together and they tends to interact with one another. Its also gives room for people to meet and mingle with distant relatives. Also, Owambe might also serve as a place where you meet your life partner especially at weddings since its usually attended by both bachelors and spinsters.

> Owambe usually come with sharing of souvenirs. A perfect Owambe party must come with various families sharing gift items to their loved ones. Souvenirs are evidence of attending owambe party. Sharing of souvenirs usually come with people struggling to have theirs and this often result into fights.

> Another defining characteristics of Owambe includes music, dance and spraying of money. If you ever attended any Yoruba party you would always find some women who are into the business of exchanging money, they usually have mints money for those who needs them. There are usually Guest Artist especially fuji and juju musicians such as king Sunny Ade, Wasiu Ayinde, Pasuma etc who perform while people dance and spray money on the celebrants and even the Artist. However, nowadays you would also find Hip Hop Artist performing at Owambe but this is mostly at Weddings and birthday celebrations.