Recently, I was informed of a fellow who could not tolerate my book in his hands even for some passing seconds. My name on the cover, Immanuel James, had led him to inquire about my identity and, upon learning that Im an Igbo Nigerian, his face creased in charges of cultural betrayal. I dont begrudge him. The first time I bought an Ngugi wa Thiongo, it was merely the rhythm in that mans name that had persuaded the purchase. Names matter like that. There is, however, the need to examine the issue of native patriotism, an idea whose glory has been monopolised by some Africans that bear native names. Episodes of this name stigma have become too repetitive for silence. Some of us who bear foreign names have equally been charged with double betrayal: a friend once said my choice of Immanuel over Emmanuel betrays a lack of originality, as the former had been used by the German Rationalist, Immanuel Kant. I refused to remind him that any English name borne by an African is not original in the first place. Now, let me admit that it is a beautiful thing to bear native African names. Names are easy markers for cultural identification, whether for the purpose of kin solidarity or for local racism. And for a country like Nigeria, where a name can be a passport to death - depending on the national mood, one must salute the sense of defiance that may be implied in the carriage of vulnerable identity. But cultural identity has gone beyond names in todays globalised world, one in which cross acculturation is beginning to destroy stereotypes. We have Igbo people that bear Yoruba names; foreigners that bear African names; Africans that bear foreign names, etc. Name is not the exclusive identity element of culture. There are also language, fashion, food habits, and most importantly, an inner sense of cultural pride. That inner pride may be expressed in quiet but firm actions that carry more impact than having a flambuoyant native name that does nothing valuable for the clan from which it was sourced. At the risk of incurring charges of self-flattery, Immanuel James has written a book set primarily in rural Igboland; that celebrates aspects of the Igbo culture, and helps preserve local experiences that are being erased by a wild modernism; he writes fluent Igbo, and participates actively in traditional events in his hometown. He visits his hometown at least twice a year, and is an illustrious son with commendable knowledge of Igbo proverbs; he manipulates his native dialect to the envy of even the locals! He lived permanently in Igboland for 20 years! He is an indigene of the world installed in a space whose cultural genetics he manifests in differing forms. Let me add that his book is available in some nine non-African countries of the world, and he has received emails from foreigners who sought to understand certain Igbo expressions in a book that deliberately lacks a glossary. In other words, he has exported aspects of Igbo values and culture farther than those who merely bear Igbo names and nothing more! He has more Igboness, more Africanness, than the fellow who bears native names but cannot fluently speak his native language; that does not know the cosmology of his people. Many virtually convulse at the sight of pen names that do not betray origin. They forget that branding can explore universal relevance, while maintaining cultural kinship with the individuals other cultural assets. This native-name arrogance, sometimes hypocritical, even hollow, appears to be deployed solely against African writers. No one frowns at a Phyno who raps Obago; or a Flavour who sings Oyorima. Some years ago, in a Lagos bursting with Igbos, this writer was a lone figure in a GCE exam hall, writing Igbo Language. After searching him, invigilators even left him to his devices and went to eat, aware that he had no company for cheating. He made an A in Igbo Language. We need to understand that the expression of cultural identity has gone beyond name tags. At the end of the day, you may need to pause and ask yourself: what have I done with my native name, for my people?
Posted on: Wed, 30 Jul 2014 10:33:02 +0000
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