A recent set of images on Twitter showcasing Guinean women attending a wedding in stunning blue geles and Yoruba-style outfits went viral—but not for the reasons they expected.
On est là comme on est pic.twitter.com/mkhcBItsBE
— Re (@ssssnw_) August 18, 2024
Shared innocently on social media, the images received over 5,000 retweets and quotes. However, the reaction was mixed, with many Nigerian female immigrants, particularly those in the USA, taking offense. They criticized the Guinean women for wearing attire from Nigerian culture, sparking a heated debate.
In less than 24 hours, these Guinean beauties became a trending topic, with the discussion divided between those discrediting their choice of attire. See some tweets below.
Are you folk even Yoruba??? Using people’s traditional wear as costume https://t.co/60LeJ5U0Cv
— Rastaman Throw One Stone (@LadyAma_) August 20, 2024
They are not Nigerians keh? https://t.co/ohWjPSCJpu
— Jessica🔮 (@jessicapearll) August 20, 2024
we don’t talk enough about cultural appropriation and cosplay amongst africans https://t.co/T5GrrF5Btv
— head lezzie (@angehieux) August 20, 2024
They Copied Yorùbá traditional attire from head to toe…now you're getting mad that people think they're Yorùbá in the CS…idg..se edi ni?😩😂😂…maybe if they wanna be recognised as Guineans they can dress in Their own attire. https://t.co/8iU6HuPj2e
— Madam Suzie💎👾 (@madam_suzie_) August 20, 2024
These are just a few examples of the trolls that decided to make this an issue. On the otherhand, a barrage of Nigerians questioning why this was an issue and discredited the backwards people that found it offensive.
Twitter user @ilynem summed up the sentiment of many by saying, “Maybe I’m just dumb. But I’ve never fully understood why people get mad that other people like and want to practice your culture… shouldn’t you be proud that your culture is so amazing other people want to get involved?”
Maybe I’m just dumb. But I’ve never fully understood why people get mad that other people like and want to practice your culture, whether it’s clothing, music, art or even food. Like shouldn’t you be proud that your culture is so amazing other people want to get involved? https://t.co/5f0eR4IZdl
— Sam (@ilynem) August 20, 2024
More and more Nigerians amongst other Africans rushed to their defense. Some acclaimed these attacks to Nigerian immigrants in the west.
Not a single tweet from them about the kidnapped medical students, not a single tweet about the bad governance protests, not one about our economic woes.
But you’ll see the emergency Nigerians in diaspora that cannot speak their native tongues when it comes to shit like this. https://t.co/KNmH9BpgiC
— Has Rashford ever scored a PL Hat trick? (@UTDShawnn) August 21, 2024
They look great, u internet nigerians need to get a life. Cant even speak ur mother tongue all u do is beef others over music, jollof and native wear 🙄 https://t.co/WqItCxQNEn
— respawnedtargaryen (@respawnedtarga1) August 20, 2024
Y'all just insecure
They even bought the fabric in Nigeria because they love in…. Instead to educate them how to rock it next time but no….
Y'all do too much https://t.co/l0gMgXMoi8 pic.twitter.com/ZiEAlGl941— chidera (@deralpha_) August 20, 2024
Them fine pieces.
Maybe na wetin dey pain some of these people for quotes 😭 https://t.co/zIIP2pwZL8— … (@Sxmto_) August 21, 2024
Gatekeeping has to be one of the dumbest things, you literally buy foreign hairs, foreign skin products, white gowns for weddings, black suits for weddings, even the latest trending wears are usually from foreign entities, now you mad at someone for dressing like this? Just dumb https://t.co/cj27aoecqX
— I am RIEL (@Iam_Riel7) August 20, 2024
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