ST. VALENTINE’S DAY
By HENRIETTA GONZUK
It is another Valentine’s season, and the observance of the day in Nigeria has grown over time, particularly among urban youth, couples and communities. Some Nigerians look forward to it regardless of the economic challenges hitting hard. Valentine’s Day to Nigerians is a celebration of love, affection and appreciation for loved ones. It is a blend of romantic love, strengthening friendship, family, community bonds, and cultural expressions.
While to some, it is a day filled with anticipation and romance, to others, it is just another ordinary day, overshadowed by life challenges and worries.
Significance, origin of Valentine’s Day
Unfortunately, some people celebrate Valentine’s Day without knowing what it is all about or how it originated. So what brought about this auspicious date?
Valentine’s Day originated from ancient Roman and Christian traditions, transforming over time. The festival of Lupercalia (February 13–15) celebrated fertility and love.
St. Valentine, a priest, defied Emperor Claudius II’s marriage ban and was executed on February 14, becoming a martyr. The day later became associated with romance, gained popularity in Europe as a celebration of love and courtly affection, and spread globally, evolving into a celebration of love and affection.
The origin of this actually has different versions, but the essence of Valentine’s Day goes beyond its origins in memory of Saint Valentine, which has evolved into a global celebration of love, both culturally and commercially.
Commercial aspects
Valentine’s Day is a skyrocketing business period, with prices for flowers and gifts, eateries, hotels, cinema gallerias and other services experiencing a hike in prices. It is also a time for business owners to take advantage of the festivity to make profit.
In Nigeria, the day is a time for lovers, friends and families to come together and celebrate the power of love, defined through gestures like gift-giving, ranging from jewellery, roses, perfumes, clothes, surprise parties, to romantic dinners in exotic restaurants and so on.
It is a time where couples go all out to create unforgettable moments with memories that linger forever.
Valentine nights in Nigeria are often bubbling with activities. Fast-food eateries, hotels and cinema gallerias are fully booked based on first-come services. Joints and nightclubs are not left behind.
The day is traditionally celebrated with exchanges of gifts, a heart-warming expression of love. The act of giving cannot be overemphasised in this season.
People go all the way to buy different types of gifts. Women especially no longer leave the burden of buying gifts for men alone. It is no longer a man’s world. They go all the way not only to buy gifts but plan dates too, echoing changing gender roles and a more comprehensive approach to love.
The colour of attire for the day is red or white, as a symbol of love. The colour red symbolises love, so most people are seen dressed in red or white or outfits with a touch of red. The attire worn can be western, traditional or a blend of both, making the day colourful.
Cultural influences
Valentine’s Day celebration in Nigeria is a fusion of modernity with inherent cultural traditions, as people search for ways to intertwine cultural heritage into the celebration, creating a unique and radiant expression of love.
But beneath the modern vibe, Nigerian culture still sways the celebration. Traditional shows of love and respect are embedded in the day’s activities, which are always fun-filled.
Interestingly, there is increasing awareness of Valentine’s Day amongst Nigerians, reflecting a broader cultural shift influenced by globalisation and social media that promote romantic relationships. Couples go on social media showcasing their love and “couple panache,” with love-filled posts.
On campus, it is a different ball game entirely. Tertiary institutions in Nigeria celebrate Valentine’s Day with various events and activities like talent hunts, dancing competitions, blind dates, couples’ games, truth or dare and many others.
Youth in general, not only on campus, celebrate Valentine’s by attending live stage plays, poetry nights, or art exhibitions. They also organise picnics, hiking, visiting amusement parks and lots more.
This, of course, is not cheap. But most ensure they start planning ahead by saving money in order to make the day memorable.
Emelda, a student of Plateau State Polytechnic, told THE NIGERIA STANDARD: “We’re organising a Valentine’s Day party in our hostel. We will just chill with friends, maybe play some games to keep the atmosphere lively.”
Another student, who preferred anonymity, said:
“I love clubbing. So I will go to a nightclub with friends and catch fun. I don’t even have a girlfriend so I don’t really hold any significance to Valentine’s Day celebration.”
A student in one of the tertiary institutions in Jos said: “I celebrate Valentine with my boyfriend every year and am actually looking forward to it because I am hoping he might propose to me since we have been dating for quite some time now.”
For these students, Valentine’s Day is a mixed bag. While some are excited about celebrating love, friendship and self-appreciation, others are more laid-back or indifferent.
Many see it as an opportunity to bond with friends, have fun and do things they enjoy. They believe Valentine’s Day is more about spreading love and positivity in various forms rather than just romantic relationships.
The fusion of modernity and cultural traits makes Valentine’s Day in Nigeria a vibrant and significant celebration, reflecting the country’s heritage.
Although the celebration is popular amongst Nigerians, it is not celebrated all over the country. While it is passionately celebrated in Christian-dominated states publicly, celebrations are rare in more conservative northern regions, particularly under Islamic traditions.
But this is not to say that it is not celebrated covertly or prohibited.
The spirit of Valentine is no longer a celebration for the young as assumed by many. The aged, uneducated and those in the suburbs now look forward to the day with keen interest.
The wave of awareness has caught up with even the church, educational institutions and social event centres, where programmes are designed specifically for that occasion.
Youth perspectives
Unfortunately, secondary school students are caught up in the euphoria of celebration with little or no knowledge of what it is all about.
THE NIGERIA STANDARD asked a few secondary school students what Valentine’s Day was all about.
Mercy Audu, an SS3 student with a government school, said: “Valentine’s Day is all about love. You should tell people you care about them, not just on this day, but every day. I think it’s cool to show appreciation for friends and family too, not just romantic partners.”
According to Abdullah, a JSS3 student of Beautiful Blessings Private School: “I don’t know much about Valentine’s Day but from the little I know, people say it is lovers’ day, a day lovers exchange gifts. To me, I feel it has nothing to do with me.”
James Madabi, also in SS3, said: “To the best of my knowledge, it’s a day for couples to go out, have fun, and show love. But I’m excited! We’re doing a ‘secret crush’ activity in school. Fingers crossed I get someone cool for the first time.”
Deborah, who is in SS3, said she does not really celebrate it but knows friends usually exchange gifts.
From some of their responses, it is apparent that not all know the exact essence of Valentine’s Day but just go with what they hear randomly.
In order to enlighten youth, children and couples, the church is placing a lot of significance to Valentine’s Day celebration. Many churches have embraced Valentine’s Day as a platform to spur people to focus on divine love rather than just romantic or commercial love.
Special programmes and fun-catching events like dinners and picnics are organised by the church as a channel to preach the gospel of Christ, seminars for couples to strengthen their bond and also extend the message of love to the broken-hearted and needy.
Cultural traditions and Valentine’s Day
THE NIGERIA STANDARD reached out to a few Nigerians to share their views on the significance of the day and how cultural traditions of love have fused into the celebration.
Culture plays a significant role in shaping Nigerians’ views on Valentine’s Day. Some see it as Western impact and not significant, while others embrace it.
Making her point, Mrs Geoffrey, a nurse, believes: “Love is not just a luxury, it is a necessity that supersedes the romantic circle. It finds expression in our relationships with family, friends, strangers, and most importantly, with ourselves.
“Valentine’s Day is not all about giving gifts to loved ones, but extending kindness to others who are not part of our circle, like the less privileged in society, as typical of our culture.”
Some older couples feel that as they get older, romantic gestures fade away unconsciously.
Ibrahim Alhassan says the once vibrant romantic gestures he shared with his wife have toned down since they got married. He misses the old days when he would plan surprises and go all out to ensure it is memorable.
He believes culture affects romantic gestures for fear of being tagged a weak man or childish, so men often suppress open displays of affection.
This sentiment resonates with other couples who feel Valentine’s Day is special.
Chinbisa, a businessman, said: “To me and my wife, Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity to celebrate our love since it is our wedding anniversary.
“We have been married for 20 years but we have kept this tradition, not because it is Valentine’s Day. I don’t see anything wrong with expressing our feelings to each other despite age.”
Mr RM testified: “Those days, I spent Valentine with my lover by going out for dinner, buying gifts, and attending parties to commemorate the day. But now, I see sharing love as an everyday responsibility.
“Appreciating my partner through gestures, attending occasions together, dressed in similar attire, exchanging gifts or compliments — not necessarily on Valentine’s Day. We come from a background that is too tradition-conscious when it comes to things like this.”
According to Hon. UD: “Cultural wiring coupled with orientation has made me not to give emphasis on birthdays, Valentine and all these stuff youths indulge in. I don’t give any reverence to Valentine’s Day. It is just a normal day to me.”
Udani asserted: “I belong to the old school. I grew up without understanding Valentine’s Day and so give very little significance to the day. However, with social media awareness, I intend to go down to the village to spend time with my husband. I plan to cook for him and escort him to all the activities he will carry out for the day.
At least this gesture will make him feel happy even if I don’t say I love you in words.”
Mrs TM believes family is everything: “My school days were filled with memories of how we wrote love letters and went for picnics.
Even now, sharing gifts amongst my family and taking them out to celebrate is something I look forward to.”
Halexira, a banker, revealed: “Being single is not easy coping. Vals Day feels like a reminder of what I’m missing. Hoping to find someone special soon.”
Kevin, an architect in Jos, said: “I feel lonely but not ready for any commitment yet. It’s tough seeing couples, but I’m focusing on me and my goals. Maybe next year.”
According to Margret W., a teacher: “I am a divorcee. Vals Day is a mix of feels for me but I’m prioritising self-love and growth. Let me love myself first, right?”
In conclusion, Valentine’s Day in Nigeria is a vibrant celebration of love, blending modernity with cultural traditions. The day is marked by fun-filled events, gift-giving and expressions of love and appreciation.
As Nigerians celebrate love in its various forms, the day serves as a reminder of the importance of love, kindness and compassion in our lives.
Whether romantic, platonic or self-love, Valentine’s Day is a celebration of the human experience.