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Summary
A Nigerian lady, Taiwo Adefemi, revealed that her wedding was cancelled because she refused to abide by a Yoruba “tradition” of addressing her husband’s younger siblings as aunty or uncle. This incident sparked online reactions, with many Nigerians supporting her.
In a viral Facebook post, Taiwo Adefemi revealed how her wedding was cancelled due to her future mother-in-law’s disagreement over the traditional Yoruba way of addressing her fiancé’s younger family members.
According to Taiwo, the conflict occurred three weeks prior to her wedding when she asked her fiancé’s 11-year-old niece, Temilade, to help her zip down her dress. Taiwo had called Temilade by her first name, which offended her mother-in-law, as she preferred the child to be called Aunty Temilade as a sign of respect. The situation escalated when Taiwo greeted another niece, a 15-year-old, using the informal ‘o’ instead of the respectful ‘e’. Her mother-in-law was angered and demanded that Taiwo either comply with the family’s traditional way of addressing younger relatives as aunties or uncles or call off the marriage.
Standing firm on her belief, Taiwo refused, “I can’t be subjected to calling someone I am 15 or 18 years older than aunty. It hurts my pride and doesn’t align with my principles, she said. Notably, Taiwo is a 29-year-old master degree holder, the first child of her parents whose youngest sibling is 21-year-old.
When the matter was reported to her fiancé, he sided with his mother and insisted that Taiwo comply with the family’s tradition. She maintained her stance, and the mother-in-law called the head of the family to inform them that the wedding had been cancelled. Additionally, Taiwo revealed that her fiancé has blocked her on all his social media platforms. However, rather than feel sad about the incident, she described it as a necessary step for her self-respect.
This incident has sparked reactions, with many siding with her over her firm decision. Below are some of the comments:
“This culture of calling younger ones because you are married into the family as a wife is wrong, some of these inlaws are your younger ones but you will be forced (by especially mil and other women will gang up against you) to call aunty, it doesn’t sit well and it doesn’t mean you lack respect,” Abiola Sanya–Omosebi said.
“I support you on this. The culture believes that the respect you have for a husband should reflect on his family too, hence the reason they expect an adult to call children “aunty or brother.” This is wrong in all ramifications,” Yusuf Lateefat commented.
“I am so proud of you. You stood for yourself. You did so well. There is no need to pretend to call them Aunty just to be married, then stop because you think you’ve entered, then start war. Worse, the person you’re sharing saliva with won’t defend you. Well done!” Victoria Ogechi reacted.
