May 13, 2020
by Catherine Onyemelukwe
4 Comments
Ben Enwonwu, Nigerian Sculptor From the 1940s and into the 1960s the name of Nigerian artist and sculptor Ben Enwonwu was internationally known. We learned about him during our Peace Corps training in 1962. I was intrigued to read about … Continue reading
March 15, 2020
by Catherine Onyemelukwe
12 Comments
Happy Pi Day – 3.14 Today’s New York Times had a fascinating article about Archimedes and his discovery of the value of pi. I’m sure you remember, as I do, that the ratio of the circumference of a circle to … Continue reading
November 23, 2019
by Catherine Onyemelukwe
2 Comments
Emoji for African Culture Do you use emoji in text messages or on other social media? I do! I just sent a message to my daughter Beth, her daughter and her son’s girlfriend. They’re the likeliest cooks among those coming … Continue reading
November 19, 2019
by Catherine Onyemelukwe
Comments Off on Ancient Iron Smelting and Modern Books
Ancient Iron-Working in Igbo Village A fascinating article in Sun Nigeria related the story of the village of Lejja, part of the town of Nsukka, in northern Igboland. Apparently the site has been studied for decades. “Dr. Opata, who is … Continue reading
November 3, 2019
by Catherine Onyemelukwe
2 Comments
Pay Attention! Rev. Dr. John Morehouse began his sermon this morning by telling us a story. Several years ago he was having breakfast with his grandson. The grandson was talking about his school, his friends, and recent events, while Rev. … Continue reading
October 22, 2019
by Catherine Onyemelukwe
8 Comments
Slavery in Nigeria Did you know that slavery existed in Nigeria before it existed in the U.S.? Before the first European slave traders took captured Africans to the Americas? And even before the first European explorers came to the west … Continue reading
October 18, 2019
by Catherine Onyemelukwe
2 Comments
Lagos, a Mega-City with Mega Problems Ndubisi Onwuanyi is a Lecturer in the Department of Estate Management, Faculty of Environmental Sciences at the University of Benin, our son Chinaku’s alma mater. I read his article about Lagos in an online … Continue reading
October 1, 2019
by Catherine Onyemelukwe
2 Comments
Nigerian Independence Day Today, October 1st, is Nigeria’s Independence Day. This year marks fifty-nine years since Nigeria achieved its independence from Great Britain. Or to put it another way, since Great Britain relinquished its hold on Nigeria, one of its … Continue reading
September 8, 2019
by Catherine Onyemelukwe
4 Comments
A Family Tree Story When the workmen from Bert’s Trees were clearing the huge branch that had fallen on our patio, I took pictures. Three men struggled hard to move the heavy log that damaged chairs. They were happy to … Continue reading
September 4, 2019
by Catherine Onyemelukwe
8 Comments
Chapman’s When I was searching for a recipe for Chapman’s, a drink many former Peace Corps volunteers in Nigeria will remember, I found an article by Olanrewaju Eweniyi, published on 16/05/2018, (or in the American date system, 5/16/18). He reported … Continue reading