Do you ever suddenly remember your mother and just start laughing? It could something she said, or something she did which was annoying in the moment but hilarious in retrospect? Lol. See ehn, African mothers are a different vibe on their own, they will stress you, traumatize you, root for you and love you. And yes, they are all the same o. Isn’t it funny how many of us Nigerians feel like we all grew up in the same families because our mothers were almost identical? From the tough love, to their epic sarcasm. Anyway, Mother’s Day has passed, but we all know another Mother’s Day will soon be here, so we decided to play a random tribute to our fondest memories of our African mothers.
They are the queens of comebacks
Forget Twitter trolls or cancel culture, has a Nigerian mum ever given you the look? Or responded to something she thinks is foolish? Lol. Kind of like when you asked your mum as a kid where you should keep something and she says ‘On her head.’ Or asked her if she knew where something was after you were careless with it and she ‘It’s in her nose’. And you’re just standing there unsure how to proceed from that moment on. Sigh.
Their love is not always soft
They don’t always show their love in the gentlest of ways, but we know it’s all love. Nigerian mothers invented the word ‘tough love’ as far as I’m concerned. My mum has softened with age, but I used to be confused when I’d fall and hurt myself and my mum would be upset with me. Why na?? Growing up I realized that the annoyance was an expression of love and concern. Lol.
They expect you to manufacture a husband
Ah, yesso. Even after years of not being allowed a boyfriend. As a teenager, I know the number of times I hid when talking to a boy to avoid meeting my mum’s glare from her window upstairs. Although my mum never pressured me about marriage, I know it’s not far from the norm to have such expectations put on you as a daughter.
They always came first in school
‘When I was your age in school, your Daddy and I always came first in our class.’ Makes you wonder, if every Nigerian parent came first in class, then whose parents came 2nd place and below? Questions, questions.
They are the Presidents of the Forwarding Broadcasts & Misinformation Association
The most random and absurd broadcast messages I’ve seen in my life, have always been from a beloved Nigerian mum.
After all is said and done, we probably wouldn’t have our mothers any other way. Yes, we love them like that. <3