Chimamanda Adichie, a Nigerian novelist-cum-feminist, has recounted how her parents lost everything they owned during the Biafran Civil War of 1967 to 1970.
The author, 42, was speaking during a session with readers of ‘Half of A Yellow Sun’, her much-acclaimed book, which explored the period through the perspective of an upper-middle-class family.
Chimamanda said, aside from the fact that both of her grandfathers died in separate refugee camps at the time, her family’s life trajectory had been sharply changed and divided after their numerous losses.
“I have to say I didn’t choose to write about Biafra. Biafra chose me. My family survived the war. My parents lost everything they owned. My brother Chucks was born during the war,” she wrote.
“I would say that my family’s trajectory was sharply divided and changed by the war. For me, there was before the war, and after the war. I was born seven years after the war ended.
“But I always felt that it was present in our lives. Both of my grandfathers died in it and I grew up hearing about them. I think I just have always wanted to make sense of this part of my history.”
Recounting her experience writing ‘Half of A Yellow Sun’, Chimamanda said she would sometimes read about certain events and break down in tears such that depression hit when she finished the book.
According to her, not experiencing the war first-hand contributed to the resilience that had prodded her, yet, the task would later take a toll on her mental health due to personal accounts.
“Lots of research went into writing the novel. I wanted to get the facts right. I started researching Biafra when I was 12 that I wrote a terrible play about Biafra when I was 16,” the author said.
“So I’ve been reading about Biafra for a long time. But when I really felt I wanted to write the novel, I looked at archives, listened to the newspaper from that period, looked at newspaper cuttings.
“I wanted to immerse myself in that period, try and get a sense of what it felt like. Did writing Half of A Yellow Sun affect my mental health? Yes. Because this book was so much about my family.
“It was so much about what my parents and their generation went through. When researching, I would read something about a refugee camp and I would just stop and cry.
“I thought that it could very well have been when my grandfather died because they passed away in two different refugee camps. Looking at pictures was also quite tough.
“Writing the book felt like being held by something, as though my ancestors wanted me to do this. I thought, when I finished it, I would be free. But I sank into my deepest, darkest depressions.”
Onyeka Onwenu, a Nigerian vocalist and human rights activist, had claimed that another turbulence like the Biafran War of the 60s could wipe out Igbos if allowed to happen.
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM THE PEOPLE’S JOURNAL
Buhari Loses Second Nephew In 23 Days
Ibrahim Dauda, President Muhammadu Buhari’s nephew, is dead. This is coming few days after the death of Mutari Dauda…. Read more
Melaye: I know a patient, COVID-19 in Kogi is real
Dino Melaye, former senator representing Kogi west, says the report of COVID-19 in Kogi state is “real and authentic”… Read more
COVID-19: Nigeria records highest daily toll of 553 cases
Nigeria recorded a significant spike in COVID-19 cases on Saturday, with 553 new cases confirmed in 14 states and the federal capital territory (FCT)… Read more
COVID-19: Kaduna Government Discharges Four-month-old
Kaduna State Government has disclosed that a four-month-old child, who earlier tested positive for COVID-19, has been discharged after testing negative for the virus…. Read more
Fleeing COVID-19 Patient In Abia Surrenders Self, Family To Hospital
The Abia State Government has confirmed that the fleeing COVID-19 patient in the state had surrendered himself and members of his family to the Infectious Diseases Hospital…. Read more
286 Stranded Nigerians Evacuated From China Arrive Abuja Airport
The Nigerian Government has evacuated 286 Nigerians stranded in China due to the COVID-19 lockdown…. Read more
Bobrisky arrested over ‘N30m fraud’
Police detectives from Abuja on Thursday arrested Idris Okuneye, a crossdresser better known as Bobrisky…. Read more
Presidency Lied, Technical Issues Blanked Out Buhari While Giving Speech During UN Virtual Meeting (VIDEO)
Video of United Nations virtual meeting on financing for development in the era of COVID-19 and beyond, which held on Thursday… Read more
Bukayo Saka hints at new Arsenal contract with cryptic Instagram post
ARSENAL fans have been left excited by Bukayo Saka’s latest Instagram post after the Gunners starlet posted a snap of himself… Read more
Victor Osimhen interested in Spurs transfer this summer
LILLE striker Victor Osimhen will not consider a move to Tottenham – unless they sell Harry Kane…. Read more
$18.34m Paid To Nigerian Kidnappers In Nine Years —Report
About $18.34m has been paid by families, friends and loved ones of kidnap victims in Nigeria in the last nine years, a new report…. Read more
My fiance and I have been engaged for 16 years but he keeps putting off the wedding
I TOOK my wedding dress to a charity shop when it went out of fashion because my fiancé has refused for so long to name the day… Read more
Finally, Trump terminates US relationship with WHO
United States President Donald Trump says the country is terminating its relationship with the World Health Organisation (WHO)… Read more
My girlfriend says she’ll have sex with her ex if she sees him and I’m devastated
IT plays on my mind that my girlfriend is friends with a lot of guys who have either had sex with her or want to…. Read more
My girlfriend is drinking more every day but she won’t admit she has a problem
EVERY day my girlfriend is drinking more and more. The only thing that stops her is having no money… Read more
Got a Question?
Find us on Socials or Contact us and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.