Nigeria, Dec. 31 -- I recently had a very short trip to Nigeria, but unfortunately I couldn't see many family members and friends due to time constraints coupled with travel logistics. I want to make this upfront confession because this article was inspired by my physical presence on Nigerian shores, and I feel the need to fess up. My inability to connect with family and friends was absolutely not out of disrespect. To use a word common in everyday Nigerian speech, in our day to day human "hustle," metabolic behavior, often operating below our awareness, quietly dictates much of the culture and traditions of every region.

As I was surrounded by everyday rituals I had grown up with, something struck me when I saw kolanut alongside bitter ...