#igbo foods

[hallasimss]

give me chance anọchikwena ụzọ i kwụchikwee m ụzọ, na aga m ajamụkwa gị, kpowaị!

[pinkmirth]

it’s nigerian independence day!

[childofthesun-cityofsouls]

7.8.23 CONCEPT OF COMFORT (CULINARY LENS)

CoLlEgE MaDe Me WriTe IT!

Growing up, I was exposed to a diverse range of foods from various cultural backgrounds, including American, Indian, West African and Middle Eastern cuisines. These culinary crafted experiences allowed me the opportunity to appreciate and participate in the power of food as a connection to community, family, friends, history, heritage, my origin, culture, and identity, in line with the notion presented.

One common thread I noticed among the different foods I grew up with is the concept of comfort. To me, comfort foods are underlined dishes that invoke an almost transcendent sense of home and peace: nostalgia, warmth, and familiarity (even in strange spaces), providing a feeling of emotional well-being and overall personal pleasure. Foods such as jollof rice and goat meat, samosas, curry, fufu and egusi soup all have a strong association with positive memories and a sense of grounded ecstasy. The dishes mentioned above are a mixture of both simple and surprisingly elaborate, yet they consistently deliver that sense of ever-present comfort and reassurance.

A clear example of our universal connection to comfort in food is the ubiquitous presence of soups in different cultures. As mentioned in my online culinary summer class, different cultures contain their own culinary versions of healing soups. In my family, both carrot noodle soup and okra soup were considered nourishing and comfort providing especially if we happened to be sick. Preparing these soups often involved a process of collecting ingredients (either by backyard or community market) simmering ingredients (carrots, celery, leafy greens, potatoes, an impressive array of curated spices) for a long time, which not only resulted in tasty flavors but also created a truthfully nurturing atmosphere in the home. The act of making and enjoying these soups became a way for my family and for myself as an adult to express our love while supporting one another.

There is another common aspect I observed in the use of traditional cooking techniques. Across cultures, there is a shared social emphasis on slow cooking just as in slow eating; working along with aromatic spices and herbs, complemented by fresh locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. These techniques not only enhanced the flavors but also contributed to the overall ambiance of comfort provided through the food. 

Furthermore, several traditional cuisines prioritize the balance of flavors, textures, and colors in their dishes. This attention to balance creates a harmonious eating experience that satisfies both the palate and the plethora of senses accompanying us on our journey to being sated. For instance, Indian cuisine often combines spicy, savory, sweet, and tangy flavors in a single dish, while Middle Eastern cuisine employs creamy textures with vibrant spices and herbs. This culinary craftsmanship transcends cultural boundaries and resonate with people's innate desire for a satisfying and pleasurable meal. In all honesty, it heals.

Ostensibly, the food I grew up with suggests the significance of comfort, whether through the safe shared experiences, traditional cooking styles, and/or harmonious balance of flavors. These concepts of comfort in food are profoundly relatable globally across cultures within most people. They play a crucial role in fostering empowered connections, preserving powerfully sacred traditions, and reinforcing a extensive sense of identity. From providing recognition and appreciating the commonalities in our culinary stories and experiences, we bridge cultural gaps, celebrate the richness and diversity that allows our collective food heritage to both survive and thrive.

[adannamdi]

INCORPORATING IGBO CULTURE INTO MY NOVEL

Bringing Authenticity to My Story Through Language, Traditions, and Daily Life

As I continue researching and expanding my knowledge on this topic, I’ve realized that incorporating culture into a story isn’t just about adding traditions—it’s about immersing readers in a living, breathing world. Whether you’re writing a novel, a graphic novel, or any other form of storytelling, cultural elements can add depth and authenticity.

Modes of Communication and Transportation

The primary mode of transportation in traditional Igbo society was walking, while communication relied heavily on word of mouth. In my video, I gave an example from my story where an individual is tasked with spreading announcements within the community.

You might wonder if horses or donkeys were used, but in reality, they weren’t common in Igbo land. Even today, horses are a rare sight in Eastern Nigeria. Instead, the animals most commonly seen are goats, cattle, and poultry.

Traditional Housing and Cutlery

Traditional Igbo houses were built using mud, with bamboo structures as support. However, market spaces and shops were less developed, often featuring bamboo frames and mats used to divide sections.

Another key cultural element I incorporated into my novel is Nsibidi symbols. These symbols were historically used in communication and could often be found on walls, gates, or even attire like the Ukara cloth.

When it comes to traditional Igbo cooking, firewood was the main fuel source, and clay pots were used for cooking, storing food, and fetching water.

Calabash vs. Clay Bowls

At first, I found it difficult to differentiate between calabashes and clay bowls. Here’s a simple breakdown:

Clay bowls: Used for cooking, storing food, and ritual practices.

Calabashes: Made from dried gourds, used as dishes, bottles, cups, and cooking spoons—but not for direct cooking over fire.

Using Igbo Language in My Novel

One of my favorite aspects of world-building has been incorporating Igbo language into my story. Here are some of the names and words I’ve included:

Character Names:

Ijeoma Maduka – The main character

Obinna Chetachukwu

Amobi Nwakaego

Nduka Jidenna

Dike Azubuike

Deberechi Obiora

Igbo Words & Their Meanings:

Anwụansi ojii – Black magic

Eze Ọjọọ – Dark Lord

Ebe izu ike – Resting place / grave

Nkwu elu – Palm wine

Enyi m – My friend

Ike mana – Strength

Dibia – Physician / doctor

I have also divided the use of Igbo language in my novel:

The gods, goddesses, and priests/priestesses speak Igbo fluently.

Common people speak it incompletely but use key phrases for rituals, greetings, and traditional contexts.

This distinction adds a mystical quality to the language and makes it feel like a sacred part of the culture.

What’s Next?

In my next video, I’ll discuss more aspects of traditional Igbo life, including food, daily rituals, and beliefs.

Have you ever incorporated elements of your culture into a story? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

[kemetic-dreams]

Igbo people are present in Puerto Rico as part of the Afro-Puerto Rican population, meaning they are descendants of enslaved Africans brought to the island during the Spanish colonial period, with a significant portion of those enslaved Africans belonging to the Igbo tribe from Nigeria; alongside other West African ethnicities like the Yoruba, they contributed significantly to the island's culture and heritage. 

Key points about Igbo in Puerto Rico:

Slave trade origins:The majority of enslaved Africans brought to Puerto Rico were from West Africa, including a large number of Igbo people from Nigeria. 

Cultural influence:Igbo culture, like other African cultures, left a mark on Puerto Rican traditions, including music (like Bomba), food, and language. 

Loíza as a center:The town of Loíza in Puerto Rico is considered a hub of Afro-Puerto Rican culture, with a high concentration of people of Igbo and other West African descent. 

[active-mind-15]

In continuation of my half-Nigerian Nebuya headcanons, I have decided to add more headcanons surrounding this.

-I was saying in the last headcanon post that Nebuya would for sure have a Nigerian name that his mother gave him, but at the time, I wasn't sure which name he would have. I decided today that his Nigerian name would be Chukwudi, meaning "there is God" in Igbo. I always felt that if he were to have a name, I'd for sure pick a name that used "chukwu" (meaning "God") because a lot of powerful/profound male Igbo names include "chukwu", and it just seemed to match Nebuya's energy.

-Whenever Nebuya calls family in Nigeria, he lets the others join if they're around. Akashi is the most interested in Nebuya's native language, so between him, Hayama, and Mibuchi, he knows the most Igbo AND Pidgin because Nebuya taught him. It's gotten to the point where Akashi can respond with simple words/sentences to Nebuya's family. He replies to Nebuya's aunts, uncles, and grandparents in Igbo and replies to his cousins in Pidgin. Nebuya's cousins also call Akashi "bossman", which Nebuya thinks is fucking hilarious.

-Speaking of talking to family in Nigeria, most of them will address Nebuya by his Nigerian name, but his cousins made a nickname out of his Japanese given name and call him "Chi Chi". Nebuya hates that nickname because, in Japanese, that nickname is a homonym with "boobs," and he refuses to be associated with that. His cousins don't give a fuck and still call him Chi Chi anyway. Eventually, Hayama picks it up and alternates between calling Nebuya "Ei-chan" and "Chi Chi."

-Nebuya also has a taste for Afro Beats and will blast it on the regular. There are a few artists he has on rotation, too. He probs listens to acts like Wizkid and Burna Boy. Popular classics.

-He can do a few Nigerian dances. Just a lil, though. He's not fond of being the center of attention on the dance floor, but he can do a few steps of something if you ask him to.

-Since Mibuchi likes to cook/bake, Nebuya teaches him a lot of Nigerian recipes. They end up bonding over food and Mibuchi is able to learn a lot about Nebuya's culture.

-Imagine if at some point, Nebuya's parents/other relatives grow so attached to Akashi, Hayama, and Mibuchi that they get sent kaftans of their very own to wear, and Nebuya helps them try them on. That would be so cute to see.

I'm super tired, and my eyes are drooping as I type, so I'll stop here, and if I want to make another part later, I will.

[resovrceful]

— MEGALYN ECHIKUNWOKE in ALMOST FAMILY SEASON ONE (eps. 01 - 06)

By clicking the source link, you will find #829 (#1685 total) gifs of MEGALYN ECHIKUNWOKE as ‘EDIE PALMER’ in ALMOST FAMILY, SEASON ONE. All gifs were hand made with love by me, (@resovrceful), are all sized 268x151, and are all within tumblr’s maximum limit.

All members of my server gain early access to gifpacks, and you can join here. Please do like and/or reblog if you found this at all useful, and if you’re feeling even more generous please consider buying me a coffee.

About: MEGALYN ECHIKUNWOKE was born in 1983, is FEMALE and is IGBO NIGERIAN AND WHITE. Please cast her accordingly. Gifs Feature: Brittany Snow, Emily Osmet, Mo McRae, Mustafa Elzein, Timothy Hutton, Victoria Cartagena. Warnings/Triggers/Other: alcohol, drinking, eating, flashing lights, food, kissing.

[fedorabender]

The Shaw packmates and Darlin'

Alvaro, Chadara, Javonie and Karthris

Alvaro(baaabe)

they/them(amab)

anxious mess.

childhood best friends with Chadara(Angel)

Afro-Latina, they speak fluent Latin

5'6 wish they were a little bit taller... they wish they were a baller

Alavaro and Treasure(Porter's listener) are siblings for oc lore reasons

🫦

Chadara(angel)

She/her(trans fem)

A ball of chaos.

Childhood best friends with Alvaro(Asher's mate).

5'2- she did not win the gene lottery gng

Indian heritage. She's pretty disconnected from her culture but she's been reconnecting with her roots, expressing it without shame because there was nothing to be ashamed of. can speak Punjabi-not well but it's getting there

Guy and Chadara are siblings!!!

Chadara does free-style ice skating and wishes to go professional one day.

It took Chadara 15 years to grow out her hair. She rarely ever cuts it

She used to dress very feminine because she had the assumption that if she wasn't as feminine as possible, she wouldn't be seen as a woman. So she didn't go to the gym, didn't wear pants, and didn't speak much, neither was she sexuality active(she hasn't gotten surgery). But when David came into her life, he helped her ease some of that anxiety, letting her know that whatever she does, she will always be a woman.

as straight as the pansexual flag pole

Javonie(Darlin')

he/him(trans masc)

isolated and weary

Trying to get Chadara to leave him alone, but that woman won't budge. if she wants a friend, she will get a friend. Chadara also takes Javonie Ice skating with her, and he is surprisingly good at it. they are a dynamic duo on the ice.

6'3-tall, dark and beefy, awwoga

Nigerian!! moved from Abuja to Dahlia (I seriously have no clue where this is) when he was 5 and was in the foster system frequently. The longest family he's stayed with was the Shaw pack. He speaks Yoruba and Igbo but not as often anymore since he barely knows anyone who speaks those languages.

"Are you a home essential?" "....a what? "..a homosexal"

Javonie is David's awkward foster sibling!!! (in my oc lore)

Karthris(sweatheart)

genderfluid in a magical way(switch between similar forms effortlessly) he/her/them

Ethiopian-fluid in Somali. whenever they meet up with Javonie, they try to convince him to cook something cultural. Still, Javonie doesn't budge, so they cook their cultural foods for him instead.

Extra for no reason, whatsoever.

developed their powers from a ~trauma response~(more lore, but i don't know if I'll have the energy to post)

6'4- humungous jugaloos in every form(enby, masc, fem, all)

beeee whoo youuuu arreeeee! He saw, she conquered, they came

[ausetkmt]

AFANG - Tripe Stew from West Africa

Without any iota of doubt, soups are a big part of the African cuisine, in fact, it is wise to say that African soups are the main attraction of cuisine in the continent.

African soups can be made with a combination of vegetables and ingredients that are native to the countries where they are most eaten.

Very many African soups are usually eaten with other food staples such as rice, fufu, banku, sadza, garri, pounded yam, and so on.

Below are some of our favorite soups from different African countries.

1. Okra soup

Okra soup is a popular west African dish with okra as its main ingredient. Although this deliciously slimy dish can be cooked with the local palm oil, it is also a good choice for people who are wary of adding oil to their soups.

2. Abenkwan

Abenkwan is a Ghanaian soup made from the nuts of the palm tree. The pulp is extracted from the palm fruits and cooked in combination with spices and preferred meat of choice.

Abenkwan has an earthy flavor thanks to the addition of the palm fruit pulp (which is different from the palm oil). Serve warm with rice balls or Kokonte and you will be satisfied to the moons and back.

3. Muriwo na Nyama

Muriwo na nyama is also known as leafy-beefy or high fields stew. It is native to Zimbabwe, highly nutritious and cn be eaten with sadza.

4. Pepper soup

Pepper soup is a spicy African soup that will make your taste buds tingle with excitement. The soup is gotten from the stock of the meat or fish used. It is also spiced with local ingredients, giving it a tantalizing aroma and taste that will make you hungry even if you just had dinner.

For the best experience, have your pepper soup hot–not scalding hot of course– and thank us later.

5. Agushie/Egusi soup

Agushie (Ghana)/Egusi(Nigeria) is a delicious soup cooked with shelled melon seeds. The method of preparation might differ across the different regions in which this soup is eaten but it ultimately includes the addition of leafy greens, seasoning and palm oil. In Nigeria, its best served with freshly pounded yam.

6. Domoda

Domoda is the Gambia’s national dish, second only to Yassa. It is a yummy soup cooked with unsweetened peanut butter. It might also contain sweet potatoes. Domoda is better enjoyed with rice.

7. Afang

Afang is a delightful and satisfying soup from southern Nigeria. It is similar to the eru soup in Cameroon. They both make use of the afang/okazi leaves. However, the afang leaves are pounded and used in addition to water leaf. Afang soup is rich in deliciousness and best served hot with fufu and lots of meat.

8. Ndole

Ndole is another leafy vegetable soup with its home in Cameroon. It is often considered the national dish of the central African country. It’s a creamy and nutritious soup cooked with pureed peanuts and bitter leaf.

9. Afia efere/Ofe nsala

In the Nigerian local languages of Annang and Igbo, afia efere and ofe nsala respectively mean ‘white soup’ in English. Technically, this mouth-watering spicy soup should be called ‘brown soup’ but where’s the fun in that? It is apparently called ‘white’ for the lack of palm oil use.

10. Ewedu Soup

Ewedu is a Nigerian soup which is popular among the Yorubas. It’s a leafy vegetable soup but unlike other African soups, the greens (jute leaves) are pureed and cooked with nothing more than salt, locust beans and often potash.

It is usually served in addition to peppered stews (as pictured above) or gbegiri (beans soup). Yorubas love to eat this with amala, a starchy swallow made from yam peels and sometimes plantains.

[arinzechukwuture]

The Igbuzo (Ibusa) Kingdom:: Tracing the Roots of a Brave Igbo Community in Delta State, Nigeria"

Igbuzo, also known as Ibusa, is a vibrant Igbo community nestled in Delta State, Nigeria. Its roots can be traced back to around 1450 when waves of Igbo migrants embarked on a journey westward, ultimately leading to the formation of Igbuzo.

The name "Ibusa" is derived from "Igbo bi n'ụzọ," meaning "Igbos that live by the wayside" or "Were you the first to settle here?" This moniker was bestowed upon them by neighboring communities such as Ogwashi-Uku, Asaba, Oko, Ilah, and Okpanam, as well as European missionaries who struggled to pronounce the community's original name.

Historians believe that a group of settlers who embarked on a journey from Benin alongside Ezechima, heading eastward, may have found their final settlement in Igbuzo. It is speculated that these settlers, either due to illness or a lack of interest in continuing their journey, assimilated into the existing Umejei and Edini groups in Igbuzo.

Ibusa comprises two distinct units: the Umejei and Ogboli settlements. According to oral history, Umejei Nwa Eze Isu, the prince of Isu, was involved in a wrestling bout that resulted in the death of his opponent. Traditionally, this act was considered an abomination punishable by death. However, Umejei's father, the king of Isu, commuted his son's sentence, and Umejei was exiled with a gourd given to him by his father. He was instructed to settle wherever the gourd dropped, leading him to establish Igbuzo at the present site of Ani-Oshe in Omeze.

In another tale, Odaigbo of Nshi (Nri) had relations with one of his father's wives, which usually carried a mandatory death sentence. However, Eze Nshi spared Odaigbo's life and instead exiled him, accompanied by his father, mother, and younger brother, Edini. Each of them carried a pot and charms, instructed by Eze Nshi to settle wherever the pot fell. Edini's pot landed at Ani-Nshi (Nri) Ogboli in Ibusa, while Odaigbo's pot dropped at the current site of Ogwashi-Uku, where he settled. The groups of Edini and Umejei eventually merged to form Ibusa, with the Ogboli community becoming part of the larger Nri (Nshi) community.

Ibusa is renowned among the Igbo and Anioma people of Delta State for their courageous spirit, often described as "Isu (Igbuzo) fu ogu ju nni," meaning "Ibusa people who refuse food to fight wars." This statement exemplifies their bravery in times of conflict. Researchers are currently delving into the history of wars fought by the Igbuzo people, particularly in the homes of their kinsmen in Nnewi, Anambra State, to uncover any historical connections between the two communities.

[mfmango]

fun mango fact I live laugh love ej x liu and I wanna make art of them so fucking bad but I have like. Severe art block and I DONT like it.

they're just so cute and it's like ejekshahsn it's even better if you know about or I've told u my ver of creepypasta chars/my au

I'm gonna infodump while I'm at it

my ver of ej is nigerian/russian (russian from chernobog, his father of sorts, his mother was just a nice Nigerian woman lmao) and he's like. 27, he's also like 7 feet fucking tall lmfao did most of med school and his medical knowledge is like rlly good n shit, he's really caring especially when it comes to liu and he's also really protective. He has locs, dark brown and he puts jewellery in them sometimes

he has dark grey skin and full lips, the top one being a darker grey, (skin color is #45413F, top lip is #302D2C and bottom lip is a combo of top lip and #403230) he's also like extremely muscular. he spends a lot of time working out and he has really good stamina (this is both a win for liu and a loss. iykyk)

He's very warm and he has a deep voice, not like corpse husband deep but like. He sounds like MC Ren (the N.W.A member) but a little deeper

liu is like the complete opposite of Jack in my au. He's skinny as shit and before he met Jack his ribcage was dead ass showing, after he met Jack and started eating a bit more he gained a small amount of weight, but was still kinda underweight, my version of Liu is ftm btw, hasn't physically transitioned apart from hormones

he's also like 5'7

Liu's like. 22, he has a few scars on his face and all over his body, and he has pretty severe eye bags but that doesn't mean he ain't pretty. mf looks like a dream.

he makes money by helping jeff deal and shit

liu (and jeff) is/are polish. Very polish might I add

Jack speaks both Russian and Yoruba (a bit of igbo/ndi igbo, he picked it up from another Nigerian friend in highschool before the chernobog genes kicked in)

so if liu swears at Jack in polish, Jack will respond in Russian and they'll still understand what eachother is saying cause a lot of slavic languages are similar

their height difference goes hard as fuck though LMFAOO

jack is like rlly good at cooking but he prefers liu's cooking, they're both good tho

Jack doesn't let ANYONE touch his locs (jeff tried once when he was high lol bro almost got his hands cut off) except liu, but he's still careful lol

lius kind of blunt and a bit monotone at times, Jack doesn't mind much tho

they're not perfect, they can be a bit toxic at times, jack holds more power in the relationship but it works in their situation

Jack has a tendency to like. hold liu and cuddle him and tell him how he'd do anything to see him smile etc etc

they're killers, they're freaks they're not gonna have a perfectly happy relationship, no relationship is perfect

also they don't live in the slendermansion or whatever lol

Jack used to but he moved in w Liu and lius been living in this like. lowk luxurious cabin in the forest lol

lius a bit scared of heights, Jack still picks him up for the hell of it

liu wears a lot of Jack's clothes for the sake of comfort, jack carries things that belong to liu , like pens or photos of him whenever he's out on a mission (he does assassin stuff), regardless of if he's gone for a short time or a while

jack brings stuff home. it could be books, notebooks/sketchbooks, food, etc.

liu doesn't go out much. he likes staying at home, he can go out in public safely for the most of it, he only ever goes out into towns for groceries or emergencies

jack cannot keep his hands off liu lmao, he has to be holding onto him one way or another

if u managed to read this whole thing just be my mutual already

[dolliied]

sum i thought of rq considering how i’m nigerian (i’m igbo guys 😁)

E42! MILES X AFRICAN! READER

headcannons

okay so he’ll def try to get in touch w your culture like y’all sense of fashion, language, foods, dances, music, and things that interest you, yk.

with language, if you’re trying to learn, he’d learn with you, as when he goes to meet your parents and ask for your hand in marriage (because he definitely wants to marry you), he wants to really woo them

he’s down to have a traditional marriage guys

he loves trying new food from your culture

buys you jewelry from your country

if you listen to flavour (our african king) he’d dance with you to the love songs

aye by davido will definitely play at you guys traditional wedding (y’all that is my song)

he has a playlist dedicated to the african singers you put him on to and listens to it when you guys are together or apart if he misses you (wizkid, burna boy, tiwa savage, midas the jagaban, ruger, etc.)

he likes seeing you in your cultural dresses

y’all def eat puff puff tg

[lboogie1906]

The Nigerian Civil War, known as the Nigerian-Biafran War, was a three-year bloody conflict with a death toll numbering more than one million people. The war began with the secession of the southeastern region of the nation on May 30, 1967, when it declared itself the independent Republic of Biafra.

Nigeria has often experienced an uncertain peace. Following decades of ethnic tension in colonial Nigeria, political instability reached a critical mass among independent Nigeria’s three dominant ethnic groups: the Hausa-Fulani in the north, Yoruba in the southwest, and Igbo in the southeast. On January 15, 1966, the Igbo launched a coup d’état under the command of Major-General Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi in an attempt to save the country from what Igbo leaders feared would be political disintegration.

Less than two months after Biafra declared its independence, diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis fell apart. On July 6, 1967, the federal government in Lagos launched a full-scale invasion into Biafra. The Nigerian army surrounded and buffeted Biafra with aerial and artillery bombardment that led to large-scale losses among Biafran civilians. The Nigerian Navy established a sea blockade that denied food, medical supplies, and weapons, again impacting Biafran soldiers and civilians alike.

Biafra stood firm refusing to surrender in the face of overwhelming Nigerian military superiority. The Nigerian Army continued to slowly take territory, and on January 15, 1970, Biafra surrendered when its military commander General Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu fled to Cote d’Ivoire.

An estimated 3,000 to 5,000 people died daily in Biafra from starvation as a result of the naval blockade. The international reaction to the military conflict helped define how the world now views and responds to similar #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

[active-mind-15]

Oh yeah, after I read that one Akashi-centric fic called A Lesson In Human Interaction (and all the bullshit that comes with it), I am finally breaking my silence on my Nebuya headcanon that he's half Nigerian because in the fic he has a Nigerian father and now I feel validated. However, a difference between my headcanon and the author's headcanon is that instead of him being from the Yoruba tribe, I want to say that his family is Igbo. Purely because I am also Igbo and I want to project. Anyway, walk with me.

Nebuya being half-Nigerian and not living in Nigeria means that whichever parent of his is Nigerian (I'd assume the mother simply because he has a Japanese family name) would make sure he stays connected to his culture somehow. One of those ways is for sure through his name. Interracial couples especially tend to each give their kid a name that comes from their respective country. In this case, even though Nebuya has a Japanese name, his mother would give him a Nigerian one as well that she calls him by. Haven't decided what it would be, though, so I'll get back to you on that.

Another way would be through language. This would mean that Nebuya (in my opinion) would be trilingual because he would speak Japanese, Igbo, and--by extension--English, since English is the national language of Nigeria anyway and so most people speak it to some degree (effects of being colonized by the British ✊🏿😔).

The English part would be interesting to explore because Nebuya speaking English would have Akashi (who is canonically fluent in English) thinking he would understand Nebuya when he speaks it. But when Nebuya speaks with Nigerian relatives, especially cousins, he slips into Pidgin instead (a Nigerian dialect of English), leaving Akashi confused. He can speak standard English as well, but he goes back and forth between that and Pidgin English. Also, I think he would speak Pidgin more commonly with cousins but then use Igbo with older relatives like aunts, uncles, and grandparents. So Akashi, wanting to decipher what he's saying, would ask Nebuya about it and maybe Nebuya would teach him a few words/phrases in Pidgin. It would be cute to see Nebuya teach his teammates Igbo phrases as well. Imagine if the next time Nebuya called any of his Nigerian relatives he'd tell them he was teaching his teammates their language and make them try and talk to his relatives in Igbo.

Don't remember if it was ever confirmed in canon so I'll keep this as a regular headcanon, but I believe Nebuya can cook very well (like if you're gonna eat all that food every day you better know how to sustain yourself), so I would think sometimes he likes to make traditional Nigerian food. His favorite dishes are of course the ones heavy on meat, and he likes to pair them with either fried rice or jollof rice. Typically making traditional Nigerian food is done in bulk, which means he'd have a lot to store as leftovers to eat throughout the week, but he also does like to share and would save some food for his teammates to try.

I also am thinking of what Nebuya would look like in traditional Nigerian clothes like a kaftan or agbada. I've seen him in kimonos, so it would be fun to see him rock some Nigerian clothes, too. Maybe his aunt or his grandmother makes clothes for him that they send over to Japan for him to wear.

I would hope that every so often, Nebuya would take a trip to Nigeria to see family. And when he comes back, he brings gifts for his teammates. Imagine them sitting Nebuya down and asking him to tell stories from his trip, and they all get to sit there and learn more about Nebuya's culture and his family.

Anyway, I'll cut it off here, but I am obsessed with this headcanon and I just had to get it off my chest.

[anoelleart]

Author Ask Tag

Kindly tagged by @mysticstarlightduck 💕

1. What is the main lesson of your story (e.g. kindness, diversity, anti-war), and why did you choose it?

Ultimately The Protolith is story about liberation from gender and imperialist norms. I write more about this in my posts about representation in Fantasy settings. The main character Charlotte combats the patriarchal expectations on her when she's in love with men, even well-meaning ones. She explores her identity as a person of color and how colonization impacted her late mother. It's very fun to explore these themes in science fiction fantasy because you can be incredibly literal. I don't want to spoil my WIP and also I have fully explored these themes yet, so I'll stop here.

2. What did you use as inspiration for your worldbuilding (like real-life cultures, animals, famous media, websites, etc.)?

Honestly, anytime I see something neat, I throw it into my world. It's so easy to fall into making a gas lamp fantasy look like some iteration of Victorian England. I attempted to make the main setting (Lorenzia) a combination of French and Mediterranean culture, flora, food, etc. We have olive trees, lamb is commonly eaten, formal titles are derivatives of Monsieur, Mademoiselle, Madame (but I abbreviate them as M, Mme, and Mde which is not technically correct). The sexually free culture is reminiscent of 1800s France and the oppressive church that of Europe in the same century.

I even have a mountain valley that's based on a rock formation I studied in California; it's rainbow because of the different oxidation states of iron. In contrast, the country where our main character Charlotte's mom is from is loosely based on Nigeria. It's a fun coincidence that the names I've found for these characters are based on Igbo names - which is the tribe from which I'm descendent (yes, I did a 23&Me).

Some of the worldbuilding is done out of convenience. For example, the initial romance arc needs a reason why our love interests Charlotte and Byron can't be together. In every version of this story, he's been a soldier of some kind. It came to me late at night that making him a priest with a vow of celibacy would be the perfect plot device to keep my characters apart. Thus, the militant oppressive Church was born. Eventually, this Church became a thinly veiled statement on religious imperialism, but that's just a happy side effect.

Additionally, I wanted a world where wars are still waged with swords, but has technology such as gas light, running water, the beginning of electricity, steam engines, etc. I decided that in this setting, gun are exceptionally hard to make because due to the atmospheric composition, explosives are more violent and harder to contain.

Finally, I've really wanted to pull science fiction elements into this story, which is where I came up with the World Wound; a crater formed from an ancient meteorite which has never been explored by man.

In summary, I crafted my world based on places I've been (through travel or as a scientist) and for plot convenience.

3. What is your MC trying to achieve, and what are you, the writer, trying to achieve with them? Do you want to inspire others, teach forgiveness, and help readers grow as a person?

Look at answer #1

4. How many chapters is your story going to have?

50 😅 help me

5. Is it fanfiction or original content? Where do you plan to post it?

Original! I've started posting a few chapters here (only the first scene before I redirect readers to Google Drive). I'm not sure how many chapters I'll post here or what I plan to do after my first draft.

6. When and why did you start writing?

I've always been writing! My twin and I used to have a binder of pictures books we wrong in elementary school. We joined Wattpad at the beginning of high school, but both of us moved on from there by the time we were 18. My twin continued on as a fantastic short story writer and future novelist. I stopped writing for a really long time. I started writing seriously last December. I'd flown home to help my mom after she had surgery, and when I wasn't with her I didn't really have much to do. Honestly, it was the most free time I'd had since finishing undergrad four years ago.

7. Do you have any words of engagement for fellow writers of Writeblr? What other writers on Tumblr do you follow?

I just got here so what I say doesn't mean much. Writing something bad is better than writing nothing at all? Cliched advice.

Tagging: @asablehart, @broodparasitism, @carrotblr, @anyablackwood, @authoralexharvey

[kemetic-dreams]

THE HISTORY OF ODUMOSA, THE POWERFUL HUNTER AND FOUNDER OF ERIN-ILE KWARA STATE

Erin-ile, an old Yoruba town was established around 1225 AD for example more than 878 years prior. History of Erin-ile goes back to the verbose return of Oranyan from Edo nation after his red hot military campaigns against the Igbos who were then annoying that piece of Oduduwa's reality.

Erin-ile is probably the most established town in the old Oyun Local Government Area, including Offa. Erin-ile town was established about a similar time as Ipee and the limit between these two was before the coming of Offa town. Solid oral custom and serious research agreeably spin the authentic cause of Erin-ile around one famous regal sovereign of Ife called ODUMOSA.

He was known to be an eminent tracker and marksman, subsequently his name "APAAYAN", for example a marksman who was presumed for his best games. As the fore-name recommend, Odu-mosa was additionally a faithful religionist and a figuring chief. He was a shrewd executive and appealling character. He was the grandson of lord OBALUFON of Ife. OBALUFON is the contracted from the OBA ILU IFE for example (The ruler of Ile-Ife), and Olufon its short structure implies OLU-IFE for example (the ruler of Ife).

He was an acclaimed skilled worker and the first to acquaint metal works with Ife. He is as yet being exceptionally venerated for that important commitment. Ruler Obalufon was ruling when his nephew sovereign ORANMIYAN drove his arrangement of military undertakings to Benin. Ruler Obalufon later kicked the bucket and sovereign ORANMIYAN who was the beneficiary obvious didn't return in time from the war front. In his nonattendance, lord Obalufon's child ALAIYEMORE was designated and introduced as the following Ife ruler.

From that point, sovereign Oranmiyan surfaced suddenly to Ife. Frenzy held everybody inspired by a paranoid fear of what might and could be the response of such a fierce military legend to his life aspiration being so run by his counsin's climb to the seat which he (Oranmiyan) had constantly desired. In such a disrupted and unsure circumstance, ODUMOSA who was the immediate child of lord Alaiyemore thought of it as foothardy to sit tight in Ife for ORANMIYAN's response.

He immediately chose to stop Ife so as to get away from the conceivable anger of Oranmiyan. It was everybody's conviction that whoever incited Oranmiyan welcomed searing war. Odumosa set off with a huge unforeseen of devotees including his child ALAWODE AREBIOPE and his stepbrother, ruler ALAPA. He conveyed with him enough supplies of essential needs. he brought various valuable fortunes from the castle. Among such were beaded crowns, glorious clothing types, regal staff (EDAN OBALUFON), Obalufon's celebration silver crown, set of strung coral dots, the way of life of Obalufon, Ifa prophet, war types of gear, arms and ammo, (for games and self preservation) and a puzzling clarion horn for collecting his adherents at whatever point they dispersed looking for games and food or were abandoned. He depended particularly on the horn which he likewise used to give war or harmony signs and headings of next developments to his supporters.

Like patriarch Abraham of the Jewish history who on divine requests left his folks in the land Haran for an obscure goal. Odu-mosa left Ife on Ifa prophet's guidance for the open wide world without learning his genuine goal. He was a man of confidence, without a doubt a man of dauntless boldness, never terrified of slopes or wildernesses, dry land or overwhelmed planes. He continued endlessly nudging his contingents to walk and head quick in the opposite direction from a potential pursue by Oranmiyan. He told his kin "E RIN E RIN; E RIN" for example WALK FAST, WALK FAST, WALK FAST. The name ERIN was later suffixed with "ILE", which signifies the terminal finish of the trek on Ifa prophet's heading to frame the compound name ERIN-ILE.

After a long spell of meandering and meandering aimlessly before they arrived at that goal, they ended and rested in various spots, as ERINMO or ERIN-ITADOGUN for example an intersection place where they laid on seventeenth day of their trek and made places of arrangement fronds. A major market was set up at the intersection settlement. When Odumosa left, a portion of his devotees stayed behind and settled for all time in ERINMO. Other spot of visit included ERIN-OKE, ERIN-IJESHA, which are all now remarkable towns in Osun State. At Erin-ile, Odumosa met three trackers; Olowe, Afolumodi and Gbaagba, who received him as their first ruler when they was aware of his august status.

At a last visit before Erin-ile, Odumosa, Odumosa overlooked his clarion horn. When they returned for it, it had sunk and shimmering water, presently the stream Owo has begun spouting out of it. It was at this crossroads that his stepbrother, ruler Alapa isolated from him while Odumosa moved west ward, Alapa moved east ward. Alapa now settled Eku-Apa now in Irepodun LGA of Kwara State.

An a lot later settlement of Odumosa's replacements are Erin Papa, established on an open meadow by the thirteenth Elerin of Erin-Ile in rebellion of Alimi, the Fulani Jihadist. Erin Papa was found in Osun State and is presently called Erin – Osun. Around 1907, Elerin olaojo chose to profit to Erin-Ile for discontinuance of threats by the Jihadist. A few residents tailed him while some picked to remain. Erin_osun is likewise a major toen and she imparts close proclivity to Erin-ile. Indeed,the two towns are "twain" towns.

Aside from towns and settlements set up legitimately by Odumosa or his replacements, there are additionally families who have blood or social proclivity with Erin-Ile and are living in different networks. They can be perceived by their surname (oriki) regardless of whether they are in Ibadan, Abeokuta, Ilorin, Oshogbo, Ilesha, Ogbomoso or Offa. Such names incorporate, "More, Mosa" (from Alaiyemore and Odumosa), "Omo Elerin Mosa", "Omo Elewe Ladogba", "Omo Obalufon L'Erin", "Omo Abinuwole" alluding to Olowe who sank alive and "Omo Abiowe" again alluding to Olowe star war pioneer of Erin-Ile. Some outstanding Nigerians with such names incorporate Ali Agboguleri; Saka Pena, Adegoke Adelabu (Penkelemi) and Oba Gbadamosi Adebimpe all in Ibadan, the balogun group of Iragbiji, the Duro Ladipo family in Oshogbo, the Ige family in Ijeshaland spreading to Ibadan, the Toki family in Offa and on the maternal side, the Olugbense imperial family in Offa and so forth.

By and by, Erin-Ile is in Oyun LGA of Kwara State and was the base camp of the Local Governement when it was first made in 1980. For odd reasons, the central command was moved when the Federal Military Government re-made the L.G.A. in 1990. Erin-Ile is on the southern-most edge of Kwara State and offers limits with Offa, Ilemona, Irra, Eku-Apa, Ipee, Igosun all in Kwara State and Oyan and Ila - Odo in Osun State. She is overhauled by current enhancements. A yearly celebration impossible to miss to her is the Obalufon celebration named after their begetter in Ile-Ife.