This is a Yoruba proverb which translated into English says, “Twenty children cannot play together for twenty years.” But what does it mean?
The Yoruba people are native to the country of Nigeria, West Africa where I was born and spent my childhood. They use proverbs often to explain the world around them. This proverb belongs to the category of simple truth; proverbs used to explain simple truths. It means people grow and make new friends. They move away and do not stay with the same group of people who were their childhood playmates. Some English expressions with the same meaning might be, “life goes on”, “times change and we must change with them”, or “nothing stays the same.”
Well, my group of childhood friends is the exception to this truth. Though we grew, changed, moved apart, and became very different individuals living in many different parts of the USA and even the world, we nonetheless managed to remain close friends. This unique group of individuals, who shared a common childhood in Nigeria in our beloved tropical homeland half a world away from where most of us live now, grew up calling each others’ parents aunt and uncle. We still feel a kinship as though we are family–cousins perhaps—and because of this kinship we continue to gather once a year at Shocco Springs, AL for a reunion. Last years was canceled because of Covid and this year’s nearly was, for the same reason. But it’s not canceled and it’s coming up next weekend! YAY! I can’t wait! 😊
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