"You cannot write only about love
when your nation is literally falling apart. I have not been afforded the
luxury of such life."
So writes
Nigerian poet and writer Ijeoma Umebinyuo, one of the best new voices in new African poetry. I
came across her works on her Tumblr
blog and it’s wonderful what she
is doing with words, with the muse, and how much influence she is to people
with her feminist poems and quotes. I stalked her down to twitter where
we have been having our little literary discourses. In this interview conducted
via GTalk, I sought to know her more, especially in relation to her themes and
ideals. Enjoy!!!
TD: Please
let's get to meet you: Who is Ijeoma Umebinyuo?
IJ: I am terrible with such questions,
pardon me. I would describe myself as a womanist, Lagosian, Nwa Biafra, and of course a Nigerian.
I enjoy writing, and I am a writer.
TD: You
specialize in the poetry genre of creative writing. What inspired you to become
a poet?
IJ: I am a
writer who also write poetry. I have been writing poetry since I was about 10
years old. I started writing because a family friend of ours introduced me to
it. I have always been into writing but not poetry, around that age was when he
introduced me to poetry. His nickname is Adede.
TD: That's
something to envy about you. When I was 10, I was as far from English as the
earth is from the heavens.
IJ: Hahaha
it's all good; whatever language we were using, it can all be poetic and
expressive, and I believe that as far as these are met, one is good to go.
Whatever language we use, it is all about expression.
TD: How
often do you write?
IJ: I write
when it comes to me. I grew up hearing stories; I have always been in love with
storytelling and the forms in stories are told. I chose poetry, and then poetry
chose me. I write when I feel the muse come to visit.
TD: Are
there other things you do apart from writing?
IJ: I
experience life.
TD: (Laugh)
You are very, very funny.
IJ: That made
me smile.
TD: Talking
about poetry, there has been this ongoing debate about definitions of poetry. I
realise now that people- poets- have different explanations to what they
imagine poetry to be, or how it should be defined. According to you, what is
poetry? What does poetry mean to you? What do you love about poetry as an art?
What has poetry done for you?
IJ: First of
all, I am not aware that there is an ongoing debate; if there is, I am not
interested in it. But I do know that poetry has helped me. Writing, in whatever
form has helped me to express not only my thoughts, but also the stories of
others; it has given me the power to own my narrative. It is sacred when the
words come and do not want to leave till I release it. I am interested in
owning our narratives as offsprings of our ancestors, as women, as children of
a war that was, and maybe a war that is, as well.
TD: It's
interesting to note that you focus more on the practice of the art, and not on
the so-called canons that have been said to make it up. this is beautiful.
Talking about women, many of your works are mostly about them. Do you identify
as a feminist?
IJ: Yes, I am
a feminist.
TD: What
do you think about the state of feminism in Africa? In Nigeria? Do you think
that enough has been accomplished?
IJ: It’s hard
to define what “enough” is; but I am Igbo, and in my culture women have always
had a voice. The issue of feminism in Nigeria and Africa is very interesting.
There are some ideas that are not really welcomed. For example, there are ideas
of what a woman should do, how she should act, and how everything has to lead
to marriage. I find it quite disheartening to hear when young women discuss
their timeline for marriage and do not think of other important issues too. I
do understand that growing up in Africa might leave one a bit reluctant to
understand what feminism truly means, but it just gets from frightening to sad
when society has this idea of what a “proper” African woman should do with her
life. Feminism, as far as I am concerned does not end with some, but with
all. It should reach every village and town that a woman can achieve great success
wherever she is from, and without depending on any man. We should also not get
so blinded that we forget others who do not have as many opportunities as we
do. I am a feminist, and I am against the ill-treatment of househelps (whether
male or female, but especially female) by their Oga and Madam. The way we treat
those who we think are not good enough says a lot about us. The core of it
all is humanity. How humane are we towards others? If your feminism has to be
only about a few women, I do not want to have anything to do with it. It must
involve all women, from diverse backgrounds. About the state of feminism in
Africa, the truth is that not enough has been done; but this is not restricted
to Africa only; it is the truth in many continents.
TD: I
notice that you sometimes write in Igbo, and Nigerian pidgin. Is there anything
personal about this? When you write, do you think about what people are going
to think of you if they see your work?
IJ: I am not
writing my biography. I just write, it does not need to have anything to do
with me. I have never been a househelp, for example, but I have written poems
on issues like that using Nigerian pidgin. Writing for me is sacred.
Poetry is especially so; and that is why I do not force it. In whatever language
is chooses to visit, I write. What people think doesn’t matter, and I do
not bother.
TD: I
was reading Richard Wright's Black
Boy and I found this quote which I have held on to for a very long time
since I got arrested by the feminist muse: “Stemming from pure feelings… the
things that influenced my conduct as a Negro did not have to happen to me
directly; I needed but to hear of them to feel their full effects in the
deepest layers of my consciousness.” I am thinking back at what you said
earlier: “Writing, in whatever form as helped me express not only my thoughts
but stories of others,” and I am just charmed. Thank you.
IJ: You're
welcome.
TD: Your Tumblr Blog, is an exciting
destination for many lovers of new African poetry, and I personally have it on
my list of bookmarked pages. What inspires what you do there?
IJ: Life
inspires it all.
TD: And
Africa appreciates it all. Let’s quickly get your take on this: Are writers
born, or are they made?
IJ: I don't
know the answer to that. I do know however, that there have been amazing
storytellers in my life and they were not writers.
TD: (Laughs)
Now that’s funny enough to go for “Night
of a Thousand Laffs.”
IJ: Ahaa!!
TD: Of
the writers I have met online yet you have been a very interestingly unique
experience. I don't mean to flatter, but you and Warsan Shire are two new
African voices I am especially proud of all the time. Do you read her works?
Who are you currently reading?
IJ: Warsan
Shire is an amazingly amazing writer. I am currently reading Dust, a novel by Yvonne
Adhiambo Owuor.
TD: I
have heard of the novel too, but I have not got my hands on it. When are we
going to start seeing you participate in poetry slams?
IJ: I enjoy
seeing others. It looks like fun. I enjoy writing. Who knows the future? But poetry
slam? Not sure about that yet.
TD: Ahaa,
away from writing a little, let’s get on the fun side of this interview, tell
us: What in African fashion do you love most? How many Made-in-Africa products
do you currently use?
IJ: Haaa!!! I
love African fashion, I love wrapper a lot. A whole lot. I grew up with that.
TD: Realllyyyyyyy?
I'm tying one right now.
IJ: Nice!
TD: IJ,
one thing I enjoy about your writing is your ability to play upon diction and
influences. It's beautiful how you do what you do, and we would do our best
possible to promote your art. Thank you very much. I honestly do appreciate
your time, and especially we do appreciate your contributions to the
development of African feminist poetry. We are looking forward to reading more
of your works, and having more people doing similarly- and more- in echoing the
African voice ever louder.
IJ: Thank
you! You are kind with words.
TD: And
you are very inspirational with words.
IJ: Awwww
thank you very much.
TD: You’re
welcome, sister.
Months ago, Ijeoma Umebinyuo published her fist book, Questions For Ada. Get your copy here.
Thank you for visiting TAWKA DiARiES.
This interview was conducted by Famous
Isaacs.
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