Elsie UdohBeing in the diaspora doesn’t isolate you from attending Nigerian social events. If you’re in an area where a few Nigerians are present, then you might be invited to social events at some point, or you might decide to go all out and host yours.
Whatever the case, navigating Nigerian social events in the diaspora can be new and challenging. If you decide to host a social event yourself, we have a guide all ready for you to do so successfully here. But if the reverse is the case and you have to attend a social event in the diaspora, how do you go about it without losing your Nigerian touch?
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThis guide is here to help you figure that out and make the most of Nigerian social events abroad.
Types of Nigerian Social Events to Expect in the Diaspora
For starters, it’ll be great to have a heads up as to what to expect when it comes to the kinds of Nigerian social events you could be invited to in the diaspora.
Here are a few common ones you’ll likely encounter:
- Weddings
- Cultural Festivals
- Religious Gatherings
- Naming Ceremonies
READ ALSO: Nigeria Diaspora Festivals: Top Events You Can’t Miss Abroad
Each of these events serves as a great way to keep you close to home and maintain the cultural practices you’re used to.
How to Find Nigerian Social Events in the Diaspora
Attending Nigerian social events in the diaspora begins with finding one or at least being invited to one. But if you wait around to be invited, then chances are that you might wait a long time because this is not Nigeria, where there’s almost always an event happening every weekend that you can join in.
It’s quite different here, so you’re going to need to be more proactive and be on the lookout for Nigerian social events happening around you so that you can make plans to attend them.
Here are a few ways to locate them:
- Follow groups for Nigerian communities in the diaspora on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook to stay updated on upcoming events.
- Check community websites like MyDiaspoHub to find event schedules for Nigerians living abroad, which you can join in.
- Worship at a Nigerian church and mosque. These religious centres serve as hubs for events, and it’s easier to attend them if you’re a member of the church or mosque.
- You can also hear about these events from Nigerian friends around you, so consider expanding your friend circle.
How To Navigate Nigerian Social Events in the Diaspora
If you do your findings well and discover or get invited to a Nigerian social event in the diaspora, then you’ll need a guide to navigate through the event. Navigating Nigerian social events involves knowing what to wear and some other requirements, which we have provided for you:
- What to Wear: Ensure to dress according to the event. If you’ll be attending a formal gathering like a wedding, wear traditional attire. If there’s an Aso Ebi for the event, then you could consider buying it and sewing a nice outfit so you can dress to match the occasion.
- What to Bring: Again, depending on the kind of event you are invited to, try bringing a gift for the host. They carefully put together the event for you to have a great time so you can show your appreciation by bringing a simple gift. A bottle of wine to be enjoyed at the event will do, or alternatively, you could hand over money to the host in an envelope. This is a popular gift for weddings.
- When to Arrive: As a proper Nigerian, you are probably familiar with our self-originated “African time,” and you might want to arrive an hour or two later than the designated time, but then think maybe you might consider dropping that bad habit in “Africa” and adopting “Europe’s” (or whatever continent you are) time. Arriving late might get the host tensed and slow down the event tempo, so it’ll do a lot of good if you arrive early and maybe even help in setting up the event. That way, you can enjoy the event from start to finish.
How to Make the Most of Nigerian Social Events in the Diaspora
We have seen what you should wear, what to bring along, and when to arrive for the social event you will be attending in the diaspora, but that’s not all; one big question remains: What do you do there?
Of course, you’d expect the usual fun and merriment that comes with events, but then there’s so much more you could do to get the most out of the event. Here’s what we suggest you do to not just show up but get involved:
- Network as much as you can. Don’t be all in your zone. Move out, meet new people, and interact with them. These events can be great places to meet people who can help you both personally and professionally. If you run a business in the diaspora, then carry your business cards along.
- Actively participate in the dancing, games, and other activities that will be done at the event. If you arrive early, you can even join in cooking and setting up, as we earlier mentioned. This will help you enjoy the event more.
- Show respect for the host and the event. Eat only what is offered to you, and don’t be a nuisance at the event.
- Ensure to dress appropriately to avoid any awkward feeling and so you don’t feel like an outcast at the event. If no dress code was given, remember to ask the host if there’s any just in case it was omitted in the invitation.
Conclusion
There you have it. We have provided a guide that can help you navigate Nigerian social events in the diaspora, from finding the right events to making the most out of them. If you follow the tips provided here closely, then you shouldn’t have a problem attending the next Nigerian event you get invited to.
Remember to dress appropriately, arrive early, contribute in your own little way, and show respect to the event host to enjoy your time out at the event.
Elsie Udoh is an SEO content writer who specialises in writing engaging stories that resonates with diverse audiences. She studied mass communication at the Lags State University.
