“What is the importance of knowing your roots?” A big question that crossed my mind recently. I began to reflect and realized that, it wasn’t until about two years ago that I really started to love and appreciate where I come from.
I’m sure many of you know I’m Nigerian, specifically from the Igbo tribe. I left Nigeria to Canada at about age 12. Young, naive, and living a very sheltered life, I knew where I was from but barely understood much of the culture. Moving to Canada for me was a fresh start, I was determined to literally leave everything behind, and “forget my past life”. I barely associated with fellow Nigerians at my high school (I mean.. have you ever had a chance to read the comment section under any instablog naija post? The love for gossip is real 🤦🏽♀️), barely listened to Nigerian music, and knew next to nothing about the history (I still wonder why there’s no history classes on the syllabus in Nigerian schools, it’s very strange). The only things I brought with me to Canada was my love for Nigerian food, and the ability to understand the Igbo language.
I was blessed to go to an international school here in Canada, and I remember how my eyes would light up with interest when my friends from countries around the world would tell me about their culture and traditions. I loved hearing about it. Then they would ask me about mine, and all I could really talk about was how good the jollof rice was lol.
Fast forward to seven years later, I visited Nigeria for the first time since migrating to Canada. Something about that trip was so beautiful and refreshing. For the first time I really felt like I was at home. The weather, music, food, and people.. everything felt so much different than when I left. I do feel like my age had something to do with it tho, because I was able to go out on my own and discover things for myself. Coming back to Canada I really began to embrace and appreciate where I come from more. I was eager to learn about the rich history and evolution.
Two years later, I’m feeling a lot more complete because I have an understanding of where I come from. I attribute a lot of my drive to want to be successful in life to being Nigerian. We don’t carry last, and there’s really no career field you can name that doesn’t have a Nigerian at the top. The hustle is in built, and the resilience is incomparable.
My country turned 59 on the first of this month, and there is a LOT of growing that still needs to take place. However, there’s really no where else I’d rather be from and call home.
Pictures Taken by: @michaelcasmir (IG). Dress by: @wunmimarshall
