THE “OTHERNESS” OF THE “OTHER PEOPLE”: HOW “OTHER” IS THEIR “OTHERNESS?”

 THE “OTHERNESS” OF THE “OTHER PEOPLE”: HOW “OTHER” IS THEIR “OTHERNESS?”

by Zwandien bobai

In a typical Nigerian context, especially in a village or semi-city setting, there is quite an existing category of people usually referred to as “other people” in occasions in which meals (Abinci, Hausa) are served. Those of you who are familiar with wedding, funeral and other programmes in contexts like those I have mentioned can bear witness. For instance, during weddings, there are usually assigned eating venues for parents-in-law of the day (referring to parents and relatives of the bride) and special guests (those who belong to the High Table). Often times, places are designated for religious leaders say pastors (now I am talking as a Christian and I am not sure this happens in other religions) and fellowship leaders for meals. Plus, political leaders are usually sent to a political associate’s house for such meals. Traditional leaders ad infinitum are assigned a near-by-traditional-leader’s house. The assigning of places for meals is usually after the event and just before the start of the Reception Programme in the case of weddings. Now, it is my submission that such programmes of reception appear to be respected and observed as normative in contexts like those I am dealing with here. Why people do that could form another piece, but this focuses on the “other people.”

If there are “invited guests,” “special guests” or like we now have lately, “spiritual” and “traditional” or “royal” fathers,” the obvious message is that there are also “non-invited guests,” “non-special/ordinary guests,” “unspiritual” and “untraditional fathers.” The latter categories do not enjoy the prestige of the former. They stand in stark opposition!

The notion is better rendered in Hausa as sauran jama’a (the “other” or “remaining” people). Usually, they appear to be people who are gracing the occasion probably without invitation!? They appear to be those who belong to the Low Table, those who do not have the qualities with which to occupy a High Table or do not serve as religious leaders or any leader identifiable in the society, especially politicians. Incidentally, I have observed that known and celebrated categories of people like parents-in-law and pastors and traditional rulers are served different kind of meal than those of the “other people!” For instance, while the occupants of the High Table would be eating fried chickens and drinking juice or assorted wine, the other people (the remaining) would be served mostly somewhat uncooked rice and will have to eat beef (or even kpomo?) and drink Coca-Cola occasionally. Now that Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, Inc. has upgraded their drinks to 50 cl, the “other people” are served something that will easily quench their thirst and fill up their stomach so they do not eat much as they are always expected to feed on the crumbs falling from the High Table. 

The “other people” are habitually directed to the venue of the Reception Programme where they will be served food. The “other people” appear to be those who are hungry and looking for the meal of the day. In that category, one is bound to find all kinds of people ranging from the sane to the insane. I attended one wedding where someone who was mentally retarded came fighting for his share among the “other people.” That was his class, perhaps!? Some people would not even eat in the open, but the “other people” have no choice but to eat. If you have taken part in organising a wedding reception, you will know that the “other people” are the most difficult group to deal with. They are those who would complain about the food and drinks. Yes, sometimes they are right because they generally will have to take kunun zaki (a drink made of maize or other cereals) which is considered very unpopular in the contexts I am dealing with. To worsen the matter, the kunun zaki is not always packaged well since many people/organizers will use mere and thin polythene bag in packaging it. Imagine! That is why whenever that is being shared during a reception, sharers are always careful since the “other people” can always splash it on them. 

The “other people” are those who would take masa (a cake-like and chewable dough made of maize and rice flours) which is known in my contexts. They are those who will fight and break bottles! Could this be why they qualify for nothing but serve as “the other people?” If you see the manner of preparing the meals to be served the “other people” you may not want to eat because theirs are usually tasteless lacking in ingredients and professional touch. There are always different people preparing for different meals to be served different categories in such occasions. The first category used to be the people enjoying the “takeaways” and those in the “other” category endured the pain of eating sometimes without spoons and plates. Their meals are usually in big bowls without any means of sharing such and without water with which to wash hands. Today, those in the “other” category also enjoy the “takeaways” but still have to struggle to get the drinks. Providence prevails sometimes when the meals of the "other people" turn out to be the sweetest!

When it comes to sharing of the wedding programme, the ushers select the people they share that with. If you do not look like one who is invited or a special guest, then you will be turned down and ignored. You will be tired of raising your hand in order to get the programme. I attended a funeral recently where 2 different ushers sharing the funeral programme bypassed me severally despite putting up my two hands time and time again. You know why, I belonged to “other people.” Nowadays they always reserve some programmes for the “special” people. That is why even if they come at the end of the solemnisation (in the case of weddings), they will get the programme. They usually will come late, behind the schedule time. Those in the category of the “other people” are always first to sit and watch the programme unfolding from the start until the end.

More embarrassment comes from photographers! Even if you have the money to pay and you invite them to give you a snapshot, they will be like, can this guy afford? This is because the “other people” are not known to be smartly dressed people but those who would always appear shabby! Photographers would not want to deal with you for fear of failure to pay at the end. 

I consider reception with odium these days! It is always embarrassing to see how the “other people” are pursued out of places (seats and tables) reserved for the special people. This is why they can decorate areas belonging to the special class and the place belonging to the “other people” is regularly unkempt. While the special class can enjoy the comfort of a canopy, the “other people” may have to sit directly under the sunlight. Such a place belongs to sauran jama’a!

To say “the other people” or like in Hausa, sauran jama’a appears derogatory! How “new,” “added” or even “supplementary” are those in “the other people” category? Can there be any occasion without the “other people?” I dare say that without them, there would be no such Reception Programmes or entertainment/refreshment at the end. They make the occasion (especially weddings) lively. At funerals, they do the “dirty jobs” like digging and covering the sepulchre. They dance more than the special people at weddings. They may not contribute monetarily like those in the High Table, but their presence is always encouraging, not only to the couple but to dignitaries. During the mourning period, only the “other people” remain to show love to the bereaved even after final internment. There are dignitaries who “spray” more money during wedding reception the more they see the “other people” dancing. In this sense, we can say that they have some contributions to make!? One Master of Ceremony (MC) once said to the “other people” in Hausa, ka da rawarku ta fi kudinku (“Your dance should not exceed your money”). Ironically, many of those who attend such Reception Programmes and contribute monetarily more than the “other people” may not dance. And this demotes “dance” to entirely an affair of the “other people.”

But how “other” are these people? Some of them do get invite for those programmes they attend. Yet, because they do not belong to a particular echelon cherished and loved by the society, they suffer rejection and discrimination.

It could be Christmas or other occasions! All categories of people would come visiting! You maybe the Chairman Organising Committee for an occasion. In your capacity, how would you treat people during such occasions? How would Jesus treat people today? Would he have some on a High and others on a Low Table? Would he differentiate between leaders and followers? When people come visiting you next time or next celebration season, show them love and never be tempted to consider some “special” in the sense of others being “non-special.” Some people should not be good for masa and kunun zaki and others the favourite for assorted wine and juice. Some people should not be reduced to the level that they cannot be served fried chicken but beef or something less. I believe we can overcome this temptation! I believe we can make all people who attend our programmes comfortable without necessarily making the “others” feel dejected and “otherly.”

PS: The views herewith expressed, are mine! They may not necessarily represent your beliefs. You are, therefore, free to let me know what you think so I can learn. I take responsibility for all the mistakes, please!