My biggest loss in the US...Amarachi Atammah, Igbo lecturer in Harvard

Shortly after I arrived in the United States, I experienced a heart-wrenching loss. My 2-terabyte hard drive, where I stored all the memories from works and projects, productions, field works, performances, and all curations I had done, ỌJÀ festivals and school tours and workshops, our community visits and documentations—including those I did just before leaving—crashed. It didn't fall or anything, it just didn't come up one day when I tried to use it, and was making some deafening sounds. 

 In my drive, I had materials that could last me many years if I posted one a day.

I wept and fought. I sent it to different states in America, but nothing could be done. Because there is no big culture of repairs here like in Nigeria, I was advised to send it to Nigeria. Luckily, the good man Mr. Olalekan was going to Nigeria and he helped me take it home. Many experts tried at Computer Village but couldn't save my works.

This single event kept me away from anywhere online for over a month. I couldn't find the right words or emotions to describe what I was feeling. The worst was, I was yet to come to terms with the loss of Ọzọ, my father. I felt hollow inside.

When it was obvious I couldn't do anything, I got up, brushed the pain off my shoulder, and began the process of recovering what I could. I got two hard drives in Nigeria and began reaching out to anyone I had worked with who might still have anything. Like scraping the burnt jollof rice pot, I sent kind volunteers who for months, scrambled around and in the end, we were able to recover at least 15% of what I had lost. It was a great relief.

I got the drive and tried to duplicate them. I was going through it to check on something and seeing some documents and materials from what was recovered, tears filled my eyes as I tapped myself and told her, "Amarachi, Nwa dị ọra mma, you have done well nne. You have indeed lived this path, gave so much, and done so much. Jisie ike Nne." I will try to put them all out on these digital spaces eventually. 

Note that when I decided to walk this path of language and culture sustainability, it was not fashionable and was not seen as the ideal path to walk, especially as a graduate. It came with too many sacrifices than could be ever imagined. Today, that's not the case and I am glad I was part of the people who fought for this recognition we enjoy today as Igbo Language and Culture advocates to be seen. 

Igbo sịrị na "Ngwere si n'elu daa, lee ihu na azụ, lee aka nri na aka ekpe, e toghi ya, o too onwe ya. Ọ bụghị nsọ."

To all who contributed to all of these and all that I am, THANK YOU.

(C) Amarachi Attamah-Ugwu 

#IgboGlobalAmbasador