As we go through life, we come across different cultures and people that creates a conflict between the traditions that shaped us and the new influences that challenge our beliefs.
My African Woman, by Adeleke Oyenusi, explores this tension through the life of Biyi, a young Nigerian man who moves away from the sacred traditions of his homeland to the structured, modern world of England.
His story paints a vivid picture of what happens when African culture meets European living, revealing the beauty and struggles of cultural fusion.
The Pull of Tradition vs. The Promise of Change
Biyi’s story begins in Irolu Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria, where his family’s deep-rooted beliefs shape his destiny from birth. After years of trying, Biyi was born as an answer to his parents’ relentless prayers. Thus, his life was dedicated to the gods. Like many who grew up in deeply traditional African settings, Biyi was expected to uphold rituals, honour spiritual obligations, and carry on the family legacy.
However, the arrival of an English cleric, Father Paul Morgan, introduces a different perspective centred on education, Christianity, and Western ideals. The clash between these worlds is inevitable.
Biyi is intrigued and embraces education and the opportunities it offers. His transition reflects the broader story of many Africans who have faced the challenge of integrating their traditional upbringing with the modernity of Western life.
Love, Distance, and Cultural Identity
As Biyi’s life unfolds, he marries Comfort and starts a family, but his pursuit of Western education leads him to England, leaving his wife and child behind. The author uses this distance to symbolize the growing divide between his African roots and his evolving Western identity.
His relationship with Mary, an English woman, brings forth another challenge—cultural differences that prove difficult to navigate. Their romance, though passionate, ultimately succumbs to the complexities of conflicting values and perspectives. This mirrors the real-life struggles of many who seek love across cultural lines, only to find that deep-seated beliefs and traditions can be difficult to reconcile.
The Fusion: Finding Harmony in Two Worlds
Despite the trials, Biyi does not completely abandon his heritage. His decision to reunite with Comfort and their son, bringing them to England, signifies a conscious effort to blend the two worlds rather than choose one. Comfort’s journey into nursing and Biyi’s success as a lawyer showcase the resilience of African immigrants who adapt to Western life while maintaining their cultural essence.
Yet, this cultural fusion is not always seamless. Comfort’s illness, struggles, and longing for home reflect the sacrifices often made in pursuing a better life. The dream of returning to Nigeria remains alive—a reminder that no matter how far one travels, the pull of one’s roots is undeniable.
My African Woman highlights that embracing another way of life does not mean erasing one’s heritage. Instead, it is about finding a balance, honouring the past while embracing the future. When approached with understanding and respect, the fusion of African culture and European living creates something beautiful—a life enriched by the best of both worlds.
Grab your copy of My African Woman today.
