August 16, 2018
by Catherine Onyemelukwe
Comments Off on Two Books and a Pretend Igbo

Two Books and a Pretend Igbo

Africa’s Future I follow the Nigerian blogger Max Siollun. In his recent blog he referenced an article from the Financial Times and included the article. Reasons To Be Optimistic About #Africa’s Future Siollun begins by saying, “[The article] makes a point that I … Continue reading

January 16, 2018
by Catherine Onyemelukwe
2 Comments

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration The 12th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration in Westport was fabulous! The highlight for me was the keynote speaker, Dr. Ibram X. Kendi. His title was “How to be an Anti-Racist.” We … Continue reading

January 12, 2015
by Catherine Onyemelukwe
5 Comments

Dancing: Celebration Part 3

No Party without Dancing I can’t imagine a Nigerian party without dancing. Often the guests are the dancers. But for an event like our anniversary, we also had professional dancers who entertained us. One Nigerian custom, among many that I … Continue reading

September 18, 2014
by Catherine Onyemelukwe
Comments Off on New Yam Festival; Climate Change Call

New Yam Festival; Climate Change Call

New Yam Festival Part 2 My husband Clem said I should have told you more about the meaning and celebration of the new yam festival. I don’t always do what he recommends, as he could tell you, but this time I’m … Continue reading

September 14, 2014
by Catherine Onyemelukwe
5 Comments

New Yam Festival, Ebola, An Essay and a Book

Celebrating New Yam Igbo Ukwu is the Nigerian town where bronzes dating from the 9th century A.D. were discovered during excavations in the 20th century. It’s a few miles from my husband’s town. Igbo Ukwu’s celebration of the New Yam Festival … Continue reading

August 9, 2014
by Catherine Onyemelukwe
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Connecting Links

Connections – So Many! I’ve made many connections and reconnections in the last few days! I wish I could draw, and I’d make a diagram for you that shows all the links!  Most, but not quite all, involve Nigeria. The first also … Continue reading

May 21, 2014
by Catherine Onyemelukwe
8 Comments

Names and Meanings

Last Saturday evening my husband Clem and I held a reception with twenty five guests in our home for Bill Schulz, the president and CEO  of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, or UUSC. Schulz was previously the executive director of … Continue reading

May 9, 2014
by Catherine Onyemelukwe
2 Comments

Boko Haram in Nigeria and Conclusion of Naming Ceremony

Boko Haram has captured headlines around the world. I’m sure you have been reading about the abducted girls from northern Nigeria. The writer Tim Cocks describes the decline of Nigeria’s military in recent decades and why the country is finding … Continue reading

May 5, 2014
by Catherine Onyemelukwe
4 Comments

Igbo Names and the Naming Ceremony Part II

I posted a challenge question eight days ago and it’s still waiting for an answer! You can read the post here. The question was about Igbo names and the words for God contained in our son’s names – Chinakueze and Chukwugekwu. … Continue reading