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Ukrainian culturologist and linguist, Anna Funke aka ‘Oyinbo Pepper,’ speaks with BAYO AKINLOYE about her exciting life in Nigeria and her parents’ initial fear of her stay in the country
How did you come about the name ‘Funke Oyinbo Pepper’?
Funke is my African name. It was given to me by my Yoruba friends when I first came to Nigeria. The nickname, Oyinbo Pepper, came from a popular Nigerian song, ‘Oyinbo pepper gets yellow more and more…’ Nigerian kids love to sing this song whenever they see Westerners in Nigeria. I’m honoured to have full Nigerian names: Funke Adamma Ebiere Iniabasi Atong Khadidja.
Did you choose those names yourself?
My Nigerian friends gave me those names. I have them (Nigerian friends) from various tribes.
What is your real name?
My real name is Anna
When was your first time in Nigeria and why did you visit?
I came to Nigeria in 2011 through AIESEC (an international non-governmental and not-for-profit organisation that provides young people with leadership development and cross-cultural global internship and volunteer exchange experiences across the globe) internship programme. My reasons for coming to Nigeria were many. One of the reasons I came to Nigeria was to do research about the country; to get an international experience as a graduate of international relations, and to check my spirit in a foreign land instead of checking it in the army.
For how long have you lived in Nigeria?
I visited Nigeria every year since 2011. Sometimes, I stay six months. Sometimes, I stay less than six months.
Will you recommend Nigeria to any of your western friends or colleagues who is looking for an African country to visit?
Yes. I will recommend Nigeria as a place to visit to Europeans because I know when and where to visit in Nigeria. I hope Nigeria will become a popular tourism destination, so foreigners will not have fear to visit.
What Nigerian language do you speak?
I dey yarn pidgin and ede Yoruba small-small.
What’s the first Nigerian food you tasted?
Ah! I will never forget those big slices of dodo (fried plantain) and stew. Since then, I have become addicted to dodo.
Which Nigerian dish do you enjoy the most?
Besides dodo, I really enjoy eating moin-moin and efo riro.
Have you tasted any Nigerian local drink and what’s the experience?
I tried ogogoro, Alomo bitters, palm wine, Lacasera. Ogogoro is similar to Ukrainian home-brewed vodka, ‘samogon’. Lacasera is cool for cocktails. Palm wine and Alomo taste good but can easily intoxicate one.
I hope you didn’t get intoxicated the first time you tried ogogoro. Did you?
No, I did not. One small sachet of ogogoro wey dem dey sell for street no fit make any Ukrainian drunk.
What’s your favourite fun spot in Nigeria and why?
I love nature and swimming; that is why Takwa Bay in Lagos is my favourite fun spot.
What misconceptions did you have about Nigeria and Nigerians?
I thought Nigeria was a poor country with bandits everywhere, who are shooting people and looting homes. My parents were very shocked about my decision to come to Nigeria. They told me straight: ‘We won’t pay a ransom for you.’ My mum was scared that Boko Haram would kill me. All this because of the stereotypes the international media created about Nigeria. As for Nigerians, I thought they were all slim because they could not afford food. But I observed that Ukrainians are slimmer.
When you shared your experiences about Nigeria with them, how did they feel?
First, they thought I was crazy. They listened to my stories as if I had just returned from another planet. Many Ukrainians still think Africans live in houses with thatched roofs and that they are poor. Right now, people in my surrounding have changed their idea about Nigeria. They are even asking about business opportunities in the country. My friends (in Ukraine) like my African braids. It is expensive to make in Ukraine. They also love the artworks I bring home.
Have your parents changed their minds now?
Yes, they have; because they saw how happy I was after visiting Nigeria. Despite the fact that there was a time I almost died of malaria fever contracted in Nigeria, my dad keeps saying ‘stay in your Africa.’
Is your mom still scared about your safety?
My mom died of cancer in 2012.
I am sorry about that.
Thank you.
Who is your favourite Nigerian musician?
I am a fan of Flavour, Timaya and Don Jazzy.
What is your favourite local dress do you wear the most?
I wear agbada.
Have you taken a ride on Okada before?
Yes na. I used to ride Okada a lot when I first came to Nigeria. It is fun. I could not understand why people were staring at me at that time. It was only later that I realised it was not the safest means of transportation and that I should not sit too close to the rider.
Which places have you been to in Nigeria?
I have been to Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna, Lokoja and Ibadan. I had driven in a car from Abuja to Lagos.
Which is your favourite and why?
I love Eko (Lagos) because of its vibrant life and ocean.
What culture shock did you experience?
Well, I will say I experience a lot of culture shocks. Nigeria has over 250 tribes and each tribe can give you a culture shock. The most pleasant shock was that Nigerians treat foreigners, aka, oyinbos, very well – unlike the way some nationalities treat Nigerians in their countries.
What will you say is the similarity between Ukraine and Nigeria?
Historically, both countries were colonised for a long time and have nascent democracy. Also, corruption, need for reforms, large number of emigrants and rich resources make Ukraine and Nigeria similar.
What do you think about Nigeria’s cultural diversity?
It is what I like most about the country. I am a researcher by spirit and it is always interesting for me to discover new cultures and write about them on my nascent blog. Cultural diversity should become the foundation for tourism development in Nigeria. Nigerians should forget about tribal tension and should be proud of their cultures. They should save those tribes and cultures which are on the brink of extinction. I think there should be a serious government programme for preservation and promotion of Nigerian cultures. Nigeria is a place to be.
Are you married to a Nigerian?
No. But I don’t mind ‘marrying an African family’ one day.
What do you mean ?
In Nigeria, you can’t just marry a man. His connection with his family is so tight that in actual fact, you ‘marry’ his relatives too. Abi?
