Family traditions are unique to each family. They are cultural traits summed up by families. These unique family traditions can be looked at in different ways. These traditions may be looked at individually, by clans, tribes or even countries. We all have something in common. The importance of family traditions is to create a bond and unique living patterns. Trust me when I say there are funny family traditions, especially in a Nigerian family.

Funny Family Traditions

• Daddy’s cup

Daddy’s cup is one of the funny family traditions in Nigeria. As absurd as it sounds, daddy’s cup is neither to be touched nor used by anyone except daddy. Failure to adhere will result in possible trouble. However, in a lot of homes, daddy’s cup is nothing but title. Everyone uses the cup but if it breaks, you’re dead.

• Daddy’s cutlery

There is a certain cutlery set reserved for daddy. As a Nigerian child, you may or may not use a piece out of the set, but this funny family tradition stands. Unusually common in most Nigerian homes, daddy’s cutlery is certainly not a myth. When anyone serves dad a meal, that is the set of cutleries that must be used. It must be no more and no less.

Nobody knows the origin of this funny family tradition yet, it continues. These traditions are passed on from generation to generation, so much so, it is inbuilt.

• Daddy’s Chair

In every home, there is that one chair that daddy sits on. Other people can sit on it, but that is the chair the father in the house loves to sit on and will always sit on. Funny family tradition has it that, the chair is unanimously called daddy’s chair. It is a single couch and is usually softer than others. The back rest is beyond beautiful and is the ideal couch to fall asleep on. It is in the corner too, with the best view of the television.

• When Dad is back, disperse.

In Nigeria, a lot of parents are feared as opposed to respected. There are many amazing dad’s in Nigeria, but funny family traditions must be very funny family traditions. When you hear daddy’s footsteps or his car driving in, every child present must disperse.

You can run wherever you wish to run to, but tradition requires that you all disassemble. Some kids run into the kitchen just to appear busy.The first born would normally run to the bedroom and the last child treats himself/herself to the bathroom. The purpose of dispersing is so as to not appear unserious and to achieve the popular saying “out of sight, out of mind.”

Different Family Cultures

• Vigil on Christmas Eve

Attending vigils on Christmas Eve is on of the different family cultures in Nigeria. This is because there are many other non-Christians and Christians who do not uphold this family tradition. For those who do, vigil is a must. Whatever party you planned to attend or personal plan you have is officially cancelled because you are going to be at vigil, crossing into Christmas.

Attending vigil’s is not unique to Christmas Eve alone, it is practised across religions on New Years Eve too. As child practising these different family cultures, all you ever do is anticipate adult life just, so you can make your own decisions. Till then, you’ll continue to fight sleep during services.

• Mama’s precious cutlery set

  In every home, there is a case locked away in the deep corner of the store room. In that case you will find the most beautiful set of cutleries, down to a cocktail spoon. This cutlery set does not come out until the family is hosting major guests.

  Because as the years go by, kitchen utensils disappear, this set is kept under lock and key. This is so when those major guests come, there will be enough fine dining utensils to impress them with. This is part of the different family cultures that play host to funny family traditions.

• Christmas Chicken

On Christmas day, every home is merry and filled with joy. On this day, the family eats and drinks together as well as spread love. Different family cultures practise the Christmas chicken or turkey family tradition. This tradition is not unique to Christians alone as a lot of families celebrate Christmas.

Some families save up for the best chicken, while other can buy as many as they wish, comfortably. Christmas is the day you get anything you ask for and you wear your Sunday’s best. You also attend Christmas services.

• Akara and pap on Saturday

It will not be surprising to find that akara and pap is the Saturday’s breakfast. It is one family tradition that is practised in way too many homes and it never gets hold. Akara, which is bean cake is fried to perfection and eaten alongside pap, fermented corn. The combination is powerful. In Different family cultures akara and pap for breakfast on a Saturday is a very common and relatable one.

• Sunday Rice

For some reason it is a family tradition in Nigeria to eat rice on Sundays. A Christin family always comes home to Sunday rice after the church service. Naturally, rice is just Sunday lunch in many homes.

The different family cultures determine if there is a rotation, or the type of rice the family eats. It could be white rice, jollof rice, or fried rice. You’ll never know your neighbours do the same until you invite their kid for Sunday rice. Expect “no, thank you, we just cooked rice too” as a response.

• Visitor’s utensils facilities.

It is bad to discriminate, however, not all of it is discriminatory. In a typical Nigerian family, there are different family cultures that guide visitor’s utensils and facilities. If you think it is a joke, wait till your shown to the visitor’s toilet. It is also a funny family tradition to carefully separate visitors’ utensils from family things.

For example, there is a visitors’ cup, cutlery, plates, etc. These household things are for visitors and visitors only. On no account should the family utensils be given to the visitor. Some will say they are not sure of the visitors’ habits and hygiene and others do it unconsciously.