Nigeria

My older sister, Shelly, and I were born in Jos, Nigeria.  I was five when we left that country.  My parents were married in Jos as well, just after the Biafran war.

I’ve always been drawn to reading books about Africa. While in DC with Shelly a few weeks ago, she recommended two books to me, both written by African authors.

I just finished “Half of a Yellow Sun” by Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.  This book follows the life of an upper class Nigerian family in the late 1960s.  It follows the journey of several characters during Biafra’s struggle to establish an independent republic.

I remember my Dad mentioning that my grandfather could not travel to Nigeria to give his only daughter away in marriage because visas were hard to come by due to the Biafran war.  I never really explored what that war was and it’s effect on Nigeria.

I feel like a whole new world has opened to me after reading this book.  There is a side of me that is really excited to learn more about the country where I was born!  I often take for granted my 19 years living in Africa and just assume it’s “normal!”

Reading this book has made me realize what a wonderfully rich heritage I have been given by my birthplace alone.  I have another book to read and will continue to search for more.

Thank you Shelly, for such a great recommendation.  This was not a light reading, lay by the pool book but it taught me so much about Nigeria.