The reality behind
The first question is, “Do we have a beauty standard in
Nigeria?”
The answer would be “No, we don’t have a beauty standard, we rather have a beauty standard.”
Yes! This is because depending on which part of the country
you’re from, or you reside in, there is a different beauty standard.
Below are some of the more popular beauty standards.
HAUSAS/FULANIS: greatly admire a woman who is tall, slender,
and fair with a straight nose and silky long hair. She is seen as the height of
beauty so much that there’s a common saying “fara, doguwa, ko mayya ce.”
Meaning, “tall, fair, (lady) even if she’s a witch (we want her like that).
Hausa Beautiful bride
YORUBAS: have made it no secret that their first
consideration in the physical beauty of a woman is her derriere; the bigger and
rounder the better. They generally admire women who “have the body” or “have
meat on their body” in “all the right” places. So, a full bust, plump derriere,
and clear skin would sum it up nicely.
Yoruba Beautiful Outlook
IGBOS: Igbo kwenu! These people love them a statuesque
woman. Light skin is much coveted but dark skin is hardly ever a disadvantage.
Having healthy and beautifully maintained skin and hair is highly appreciated.
The better-spoken a woman is, the more highly her beauty is rated.
Igbo Beautiful Outlook
EBIRAS: give them a clear-skinned, chubby woman with a
pretty, genial mien and they’re hooked. They love big eyes and “open teeth”.
Ebira Beauty Outlook
While these beauty standards are generally classed into
regional boxes, it is not uncommon to find a Nigerian who looks like or has a
taste for a kind of beauty other that of his indigenous or residential area.
It Is worthy to note that no matter what standard any part
of the country holds beauty to, we’re unanimously in agreement that a good
character rounds up one’s attractiveness nicely. In fact, most, if not all,
cultures value character overlooks.
What is your cultural beauty standard?
