Before entering the compound, we stand at the entrance and clap our hands​—the equivalent of knocking at the gate. The householder and three or four children soon appear. We are invited inside the house and are greeted with handshakes. For real strangers, as we are, seats are provided immediately. Water and soap are brought for washing our hands. And food​—perhaps fruits or boiled corn—​is offered. We must eat first. Then the members of the household are prepared to listen to our message. Even if food is not offered, water always is, and, when the visitor is a real stranger or an older person, the householder hands the glass to him with both hands as a gesture of respect.

Then another elderly man, limping with a tremendous dip in his gait because of a badly deformed leg, came out of one of the houses and joined us. Immediately, he started to share in the discussion.

This was an unusual gesture of respect and interest. Customarily, an elderly Nigerian man does not come out of his house to meet visitors. They must be brought in to him.