AMONG STRANGERS

In an interview for a blog, Dibia reveals some of his attitudes toward writing. He says:

"I have a very simple expectation of fiction; it should be well written, it should tell a compelling story and it should be truthful to the characters, to the subject matter and to the era/time it is portraying. There is always a constraint for me or many other writers to show reality in our writing, especially if I am writing within a period that has historical significance. However, ... I can invent fictitious places within a real place and thus create a parallel reality that readers can still relate to. ...

"Literature in many instances speaks for the voiceless in a society. This whole argument on what is or isn't African culture coming especially from people who have no idea what African culture is, is not only lazy, but also exposes the deep state of denial that plagues us. ... It is my understanding that people are prone to fearing and hating what they do not understand, so maybe in my own little way, I can help with my stories."

REFLECT: What is an author's obligation to show reality in fiction?

Nigeria is a country in Western Africa. In ancient and pre-colonial times, the area was occupied by a great diversity of ethnic groups with different languages and traditions. These included Islamic empires in northern Nigeria and smaller organized political groupings in southern Nigeria. British influence and control grew through the 19th century. In 1914, the British put together its territories into modern-day Nigeria. After independence in 1960, politics were unstable. There were coups and mostly military rule. In 1999, a new constitution was adopted and a peaceful transition to civilian government was completed. The government continues to face challenges in its politics and its economy.

With about 225 million people, Nigeria is Africa's most populous country. There are more than 250 ethnic groups. English is the official language, but there are more than 500 additional indigenous languages spoken here. A little more than half of the population identifies as Muslim. Almost as many people identify as Christian or Catholic. This diversity has led to conflict. As the BBC notes, "the government faces the growing challenge of preventing Africa's most populous country from breaking apart along ethnic and religious lines."

REFLECT: This country has many local languages. How does that affect its literature?

1. The narrator says, "They say that language unites people ... My language instead alienates me from my people. It has made me an outcast, a stranger to my kinsmen." Why does he say this? What does he mean?
   

2. Aunty Gold tells the narrator "“Don’t tell your father o!” Why does she say this?
   

3. Why does the narrator's mother call her husband Ononojo – Stranger?
   

4. The narrator sees his stepmother at his father's burial. She says to him, "Shame on you!" Why do you think she says this?

1. Listen to this short interview with Jude Dibia. He says "All forms of writing and art are political." What is political about this short story?
   

2. In the same interview, Dibia quotes Toni Morrison. She said, "“If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.” What book do you want to read that hasn't been written yet? What would it be about?
   

3. Dibia wrote another book called Walking in Shadows. This is now a movie. Watch this video. What do you think that story is about? How does it relate or connect with this short story?
   

4. The narrator's family speak several languages. They choose different languages for different purposes. Why do they do this? And what is the role of English in this context?