For the sake of a good number of my readers who are neither Nigerians, nor on Twitter, I will refrain from bringing up a few stories with the thought that you are aware of the origin or context.
What is e-bambiala?
“Bambiala” is a Nigerian term of Hausa origin used by beggars in the North, to ask for alms. Over the years it became some sort of slang used to refer to them. This name prevailed right until some two or three years ago on the streets of Twitter, when a number people saw begging online as a profitable venture and resorted to living off giveaways and asking for help in the form of cash, being taken for dates they can’t pay for, and using sly means to pitch what they want with a subtle tone that screams “help me i’m poor but selective” from individuals online. Of course this was no big deal since Nigerians are a really compassionate people and will most likely help out someone in need…
Haha, that was the mistake. Banking on the good will of Nigerians as you always ask and ask, will make them begin to question what you have been doing with the ones you’ve gotten. Surely, Twitter for FBI began investigating these things and uncovered a number of tactics they use.
I won’t be shading anybody directly, but please if you do see your sub, own it with your chest:
being present in every giveaway or saying “boss help with 2k” in every comment section
posting a birthday wishlist filled with stuff you can’t afford for yourself
starting posts with “if only someone will just buy me…”
thinking you’re sleek by posting stuff like: “someone gave me 200k because my BJ game is on point…” or “I should be paid for having a bum this large…”
coming on your WhatsApp or Snapchat to post “who will sub for me?”
These are some of the most prominent and frequently recycled tactics that have been employed by the e-bambiala people, with the giveaway/urgent 2k method being the most widely adopted. Some of us are guilty, including me.
I mean I’m looking for older women who will spoil me silly while all I have to do is put them in 7 positions for 70 minutes.
You can’t shame the shameless
— Anonymous
Okay, so now what?
In 2018, a couple of young people thought about it and decided why not commercialize this online begging so everyone can beg shamelessly in peace?
What was born from that question is what we now know as $Abeg. Haha, the twist here is that “abeg” is a Nigerian slang for “please”.
Abeg empowered the e-bambiala people and alleviated them from internet poverty, giving them a platform where they can now beg with confidence (this is a joke). Though their offerings now transcend beyond online begging and sending money into other services like buying tickets and making payments for services, it is still very much the validation we all needed that if you want to beg, do it with your chest.
As I am doing now: my $Abeg tag is @othyforyou
So sorry today’s piece is short. My week has been a rollercoaster. Resumed a new role in a new place so you know how it goes. Next week will be fire though!