This book is about growing up in a town called Oyo in pre-independence Nigeria. Oyo is known world wide as the cradle of Yoruba civilization dating back over several centuries, with a royal family to which the author's grandmother belonged. Across Nigeria, the town is famous for the cultural inheritance which has been passed from one generation to the next - an inheritance now threatened and fast disappearing because of the globalizing influence of western cultures. This is a dynamic and fascinating story which touches on many vital issues - such as upbringing of children, family values, cultural beliefs, courtship, marriage, polygamy, governance, religion, education, socialisation, fostering, births and deaths, party politics etc. But the author's main motivation is the preservation of the fast-disappearing Yoruba culture for future generations. The book is a testimony to the power of that culture to bring humour, dignity and values to the daily business of life.