The Igbo As Our Brothers

Igbo As Our Brothers

General Yakubu Gowon, head of state during and after the Biafran War, instructed his troops to treat the Igbo people who had seceded to create their own country, as brothers, not enemies.

Gowon restrained us from killing Igbo during civil war, Buhari reveals

“Buhari said he was among the commanders in the frontline who received specific orders to treat the Igbos as our brothers . . . and did not deserve to be visited with federal might and treated as enemies.”

President Buhari at end of his first year

President Buhari at end of his first year

President Buhari was speaking at his investiture as the Grand Patron of the Nigerian Red Cross Society.

He praised the Red Cross Society for the bravery its people had shown during the war, helping civilians on both sides. He thanked them for their work today, “particularly to the distraught internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the North East region of the country.”

I was intrigued by the comments of the National President of the Nigerian Red Cross, who said it responds to many emergencies, including “providing succor and psychosocial suppor­t to victims of dehumanisation.”

I am reading Brene Brown’s book, Braving the Wilderness. She used that term, dehumanization, about the effect of seeing others with whom we disagree, only as members of the opposition, not people. Her thesis is that when we treat each other as fellow human beings, and know people as individuals, we will be able to heal the rifts that divide us.

Her description of the importance of community is what led me to her book, since I’m writing about the importance of community in an African setting.

Breaking Kola, An Inside View of African Customs

Speaking of my book, I’m finished! Right now I’m doing some online proofreading. I’m deciding between two titles, Breaking Kola, or The Kola Reaches Home, both with the subtitle, An Inside View of African Customs.

The book designed by Miggs, with the photo of our hands

The book designed by Miggs, with the photo of our hands

I haven’t yet asked Miggs, who photographed the hands and designed the cover for my memoir, to do the cover. But I will soon. I hope he’ll agree. I think there should be a man breaking kola, and kola nuts in profusion, maybe in a bowl in front of him.

I’ve had deeply helpful comments from my cousin Liz and others. I had an editor who also gave great advice. I’ve made the revisions they recommended.

Now my task is to find one or two people who will read the completed book and give me feedback. Could you be one?

If you would consider doing this for me, I would be extremely grateful. I can send either the word doc. Or I can print it out and mail it to you (US only).

I also need more pictures! If you have any pics of shrines, masquerades, houses in Igbo villages, someone breaking kola, or the scenery in Igbo-land, and would be willing to share, I would of course acknowledge you with gratitude.

The Choir Invisible

Dedication of The Choir Invisible

Dedication of The Choir Invisible

On Sunday we celebrated the 40th anniversary of Edward Thompson’s presence as Director of Music, and in the last fifteen years, Minister of Music, at The Unitarian Church in Westport. The concert included five pieces by Paul Halley, including “The Choir Invisible,” commissioned by the church for the occasion.

The piece will forever carry Ed’s name and the words of the commission, as you can see in the photo.

Ed suggested several texts for the composition, and was happy that the composer chose to use portions of George Eliot’s poem, written in 1867. As Ed said in the program notes, it “underscores humanitarian ideals.”

Ed looking slightly embarrassed as we applaud!

Ed looking slightly embarrassed as we applaud!

Larry Perlstein recorded our last piece, “Freedom Trilogy,” which blends the 9th century chant “Kyrie eleison,” African freedom songs, and “Amazing Grace.”

His recording ends before the climax of the piece, and the video is not highest quality, but the sound is great! He gave me permission to share it.

If you want to hear a complete performance of this or other pieces, check YouTube for Paul Halley.

Brittle Paper’s Founder Takes Up New Position

In her blog a couple of days ago, Ainehi Edoro announced her move from Marquette University to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. You can read about her move below.

Ainehi Edoro to Leave Marquette University for Dual Appointment at University of Wisconsin-Madison

I wish her the best, and sent my congratulations.

Her blog is important for sharing news about African literature, especially current writers.

Author: Catherine Onyemelukwe

Author, blogger, speaker. Born in New York, grew up in mid west United States, lived in Nigeria for 24 years, back in U.S. since 1986. Advocate for racial justice.

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