WHC COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

WHC COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: BUILDING CONNECTIONS

Our school is enriched by its cultural diversity and in this fortnightly feature, we spotlight different members of our school community and learn about their cultural background and personal experiences.

 In the spotlight: Ayisha Balogun

Tell us a little bit about yourself: 

My name is Ayisha Balogun, I am in Y12 and I’m in the Basketball SSP program. I am currently doing English, Math Methods, Chemistry, Psychology and Health Science. I also completed Biology 3&4 in Year 11. 

My hopes for the future are to attend a University in America and play college basketball while studying biomedical engineering. I hope to complete a biomedical engineering degree to become a biomedical engineer and work in the lab. I also want to pursue basketball as a profession after university. 

Can you tell us a little about your cultural background? How do people greet each other in your language or culture? Are there any special phrases or customs when saying hello or goodbye?

My ethnicity is Nigerian and both of my parents are Nigerians. In Nigeria there are many different languages and cultures. I am of Yoruba ethnicity and we speak Yoruba language. Within Yoruba, there are many dialects (variations of the language). 

Traditionally the men prostrate whereas the women kneel down when they greet someone who is elderly or senior in position. 

To say goodbye, you say ‘O dabo’

To say welcome, you say “E kabo” (to a senior or elderly person; the ‘E’ will sound like ‘E’ in egg), or “Kabo” for a mate, friend, similar age or younger.

Are there any cultural traditions or celebrations that you can share? 

We celebrate twins day. Because twins are seen as a blessings and the main food eaten is beans. 

What’s a favourite food, recipe, or dish from your culture?

My favourite dish is Iyan (pounded yam) with ogbono (soup/sauce)

Thank you to our Year 12 Inclusion Leader Ayisha for being our first subject in this series on Building Connections at WHC.