Ini Ere by Tari Diete

INI ERE

Meaning “my name” in ijaw (nembe) language

Of all the things they took from you, the name was the most delicate

A name you were identified by in your fatherland

How many times did they take what you had

First your paradise, then your pride

They did not call you Chigozie but they called you Chi, the ‘i’ pronounced as a ‘y’

They couldn’t pronounce Ayibanengiyefa so they called you Ay

You answered because it sounded nice but didn’t know why

It wasn’t your fault, with their tiny nostrils how are they to pronounce a name so strong that your father sang with pride the day you strode your first mile

Now you’ve colored your skin white

Chemicals and bases straighten the curls from your fro, your halo light With every passing time you are new

Depending on how where they place you Do you remember the name they called you?The familiar name mama used to yell from the backyard

The very same name you write in initials at job applications

Yes that name

So the next time the oyinbo immigration officer fails to pronounce your “hard name” correctly, take a breath, teach him with each of his alphabet that it is Ebiegberi because no white man will bear a child and name him Dayo instead of John.