Embracing African Identity
Her life in Europe for twenty years really impacted her cultural and traditional background, considering that she left Nigeria for Europe when she wasn't familiar with African traditions and lifestyles. Jennifer went to Europe when she was seven years old. Before she traveled to Europe, she had a typical childhood exposure to the native lifestyle of her people. As a result, she couldn't easily adapt to her people's way of life when she came back from Scotland for a brief holiday.
Prior to her arrival in Nigeria, she had been fantasizing about her visit and the adventures she would possibly have in her native land. One day, she was on a bus with her friend heading to a camping site. On the bus, she said, "Margret, I left my hometown over twenty years ago. I wonder how my peers in the village will see me. I can't speak my native language fluently, I struggle to eat most of our traditional food, and I can't even cook our dishes." Margret responded, "Oh, it's been a long time since you left your hometown." Jennifer then replied, "I can still remember those cherished moments I had with my people. I remember my late aunt taking me out to watch cultural dances and other events like marriage ceremonies, wrestling matches, and church services. I know so many things may have changed now." Jennifer paused and blinked her eyes as if she was fantasizing about something.
When she paused, Margret broke the silence by saying, "You seem like you're traveling back to your hometown by the way you just paused and your facial expressions." Then, other young men and women in the bus started looking back at Jennifer and Margret, showing interest in their discussion. Most of them had never been to Africa before. Finally, after one week, she took off and arrived at Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Lagos, Nigeria.
Jennifer's family was already there to receive her at the airport. Some of them could speak English fluently, but when they spoke her native language, she could only understand a little. She pretended as if she could hear them and simply nodded her head, smiling. Afterwards, when she reached her village, she couldn't recall her hometown anymore. Although she brought food from Europe, she struggled to eat her native cuisine. In her father's house, relatives both near and far came to see her. Sometimes she would leave the house just to avoid encountering visitors, as life in Africa was entirely different for her. It surprised her that people would visit without prior notice. She wondered how people could brutally kill wild animals without concern, just for consumption. Jennifer found everything in her hometown boring, even her very old grandfather couldn't understand her English. There was no meaningful development in her hometown. Life in Africa felt like living a thousand years in the past compared to Europe.
Then she picked up her phone and called her brother in America, saying, "I don't think I can stay here for more than two days, everything is boring."
Her brother laughed and said, "Hahaha, Jenni, I know you left Nigeria when you were young. Every time I come to Nigeria, I enjoy it a lot. Don't worry, but don't let it bother you."
"So, Mary, our cousin who lived in America, will be visiting you in two days' time." After two days, Mary arrived and met her at her house. Jennifer was concerned about everything, but Mary just laughed and asked, "Jenni, are you enjoying yourself?" Then she said, "How could you say that, knowing that this place is so backward?" Mary said, "Jennifer, I'm just teasing you."
On that very day, Mary took her to a five-star hotel where they had delicious African food and watched interesting events. While they were discussing in the hotel, Jennifer asked, "Mary, how do you manage to stay in your village for so long?" Mary replied, "Jenni, think about it. If you grew up here and worked here, wouldn't you feel comfortable settling here? For example, your peers and classmates that you left here, most of them are settled down comfortably. They eat the same food, drink the same water, and played together as classmates and friends."
"These people understand their cultural heritage and embrace their African identity wherever they are in the world." Jennifer nodded in agreement, and Mary added, "Jennifer, if you really want to enjoy your homeland, you should recognize that you are an African woman and that we are different from Europeans." Jennifer nodded again, realizing she needed to reconsider her perspective.
As Jennifer left the hotel and headed towards her hometown, and as she was chatting with Mary she said Mary the time
I had with you in hotel was really an encounter, it was like a door way to see the beauty of my people's cultural heritage, then her mindset began to change, and she started viewing her people more positively.
When she arrived home, she did something unusual,she became very excited with her visitors at home and was excited that her grandfather could speak little English and started spending time with him and she started asking of the way about of her classmates.. Even she started becoming interested in young men in town, and later met a young accountant that was interested to Marry her. She later called her brother in America and said, "Brother, the people, the food, the lifestyle, and the land are all connected to me. Please thank Mary for helping me discover my true identity. I can now understand why I wanted to visit home." And the brother replied" I am glad you have come to realize whom you are, enjoy yourself kid sister."
