The Rebranding Of The Term 'Ashewo’

Dauda Mistura

You might call it 'Ashewo’ or 'ashawo' but in whatever case  the term is derived and adopted by Nigerians over time to describe a person as a 'slut' ‘hoe' or ‘prostitute'. 

Relatively, This word is reserved for women in general. It is sometimes used in careless arguments or alterations involving women or even in random situations. 

In Lagos, an Hausa bike man or an aged Yoruba bike man can call you an ashewo for not having change, the woman selling pepper down the street can call you an ashawo for wearing a bum shorts and a sleeveless top  and ignorantly, a guy might call you ashawo for rejecting his advances. It cuts across the sisters in beret and the ladies in hijab. An average Nigerian woman has been called Ashawo multiple times mostly in unwarranted situations.

 This word is like a weapon, whipped out in a time of need to remind women of their place in society.

Then the rebranding started. There is this turnaround of women liberating themselves from social constructs that dictate what an ideal woman should be. Women are now redefining what Ashewo means, instead of the 'slut' ‘hoe’ and other slurs that it is known for, the word is now being interpreted as free and in complete control of your body. So much that dresses that make women feel sexy are being tagged 'ashawo gown' even men adopted this style and now refer to tight shorts that reveal the legs as 'ashawo shorts/knickers'. 

Recently, a video went viral on the internet where a woman proudly affirming herself as an ashawo.  In fact, she noted that hers’ is of the class of an 'ashawo wey dey read book'

With Women accepting the term Ashawo, the word is losing its connotation of slut-shaming women and keeping them in line. 

The rebranding has freed women from social constraints and policing that they should wear. It is slowly destroying the sentiment of dressing in a particular way to appraisal of dressings that should  be accepted in society.

The term 'ashawo’ is here to stay. 

it is a perfect example of how social constructs can be torn down and let people be whoever they choose to be so far it isn’t affecting others. It is now a case of  proudly saying "yes, I am an ashawo so what"?