“ekule baba” Greetings in Yoruba culture, 1960
Know as “Idobale” in the Yoruba language and Postrate in english or at least that’s what was yelled at me when I was younger and did not greet an older person fast enough. The version pictured above is the modified version. Originally you would have had to go all the way down like you were about to do a push up. As time went on, westernization increased, it became what you see pictured above. Then it evolved to just the bowing without the hand touching the ground, and now, today, a respectful head and slight shoulder bow or just the head bow.

ViaVintage Nigeria