In the hallowed halls of Harvard and Yale, where the pursuit of knowledge transcends borders and cultures, a quiet revolution is underway. At the forefront of this transformation stands a young Nigerian woman, Amarachi Attamah, whose appointment as the Igbo language instructor, has breathed new life into the study and appreciation of one of Africa’s oldest and most vibrant languages. With her role at two of the world’s most prestigious universities, Attamah has become a catalyst for the revitalization of the Igbo language and culture on the global stage.
The story of the Igbo language’s resurgence begins with Attamah’s journey, a journey rooted in her deep connection to her Igbo heritage and fueled by her passion for Igbo language and education. Born and raised in Nigeria, Attamah grew up surrounded by the sights, sounds, and rhythms of Igbo culture. From childhood, she was immersed in the linguistic tapestry of her community, where Igbo was not just a means of communication, but a symbol of identity and belonging.
Attamah’s academic trajectory took her on a path of discovery, leading her to explore the intricacies of language and culture through the lens of linguistics. Armed with a thirst for knowledge and a determination to make a difference, she pursued higher education, earning degrees in linguistics and African studies. Along the way, she honed her expertise in Igbo language and culture, delving into its linguistic structures, historical roots, and sociocultural significance.
It was during her graduate studies, that Attamah’s talents caught the attention of scholars and educators at Harvard and Yale Universities. Recognizing the importance of diversifying their language offerings and expanding their African studies programs, both institutions sought to appoint a qualified instructor for the Igbo language, a task that would ultimately lead them to Attamah.
Commenting about her appointment, Amarachi said, “I am excited to share the beginning of another incredible journey. This spring, I will be the Igbo language instructor in the African Languages Program (ALP), in the Department of African and African American Studies, at Harvard University. Harvard’s ALP is one of the largest language programs in the world, having taught over 45 African languages. “This spring, I am also the Igbo instructor in the Directed Independent Language Study (DILS) program, at the Yale Center for Language Study, Yale University. Igbo instructor at two Ivy Leagues. Mụ bụ Amarachi. Chai!”
Amarachi, by career is a broadcaster and she has worked as Radio and TV Presenter at Sunrise FM & ETV Channel 50. She is also a Chant Performer, Poet, Broadcaster, Mother-Tongue Advocate, Seeker, Researcher, Culture Anthropologist and Mentor of the ‘Sound Your Gong’ program.
Amarachi has performed in Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, the United Kingdom (where she completed a four-month performance fellowship with the British Royal National Theatre), and many performances in the USA, one of which is the Gendering Africa Symposium, an annual Africa Women Conference at Columbia University. She was also a selected act for the Performance Across Identities 2021, in the United States.
Amarachi is a performing poet, and her poetry has been performed specifically in Igbo language. She is also a writer, with four published titles to her credit which include, “Making a Difference” “Tomorrow’s Twist”, “My Broad Daydream”, and her first Igbo collection, ‘’Akuko Ifo Nnem ochie koro m” (Folktales my at Syracuse University, New York.
Attamah had made history as the first African-born woman, to be employed as a professor of Igbo language at Harvard University. Her appointment marked a significant milestone in the recognition of African languages within the academic landscape, signaling a departure from traditional Eurocentric perspectives, and a step towards greater inclusivity and diversity.
The ripple effects of Attamah’s appointment have been felt beyond the walls of Harvard, reverberating across the academic world and igniting a newfound interest in the Igbo language and culture. Her appointment as Igbo Language instructor at Harvard and Yale University, is a testament to the growing demand for African language instruction, and the impact of Attamah’s pioneering work. Grandmother Told Me).
She is the founder of OJA Cultural Development Initiative. According to her, OJA is ‘Odinala na omenala jikoro anyi’, (the culture and traditions that bind us together). It is an NGO created out of my passion to unite Igbo people, she said. Amarachi Attamah’s passion is to unite young people, and preserve Igbo culture with the OJA Cultural Development Initiative”
Amarachi completed a Research, in Education, and Interpretation Fellowship/Internship, at the Frontier Culture Museum for the West Africa Exhibit (Igbo Village) in Staunton, Virginia, USA.
She is a Graduate student of Museum Studies and Cultural Heritage Preservation, Attamah’s approach to teaching Igbo language goes beyond the classroom, and the impact of her work extends beyond the confines of academia, resonating with Nigerians both at home and abroad, who view Igbo language as a cornerstone of their cultural identity. In a world where globalization and cultural homogenization threaten to erode linguistic diversity, Attamah’s efforts to preserve and promote the Igbo language serve as a beacon of hope, inspiring others to reclaim their linguistic heritage, and celebrate the richness of Nigeria’s cultural tapestry.
Attamah’s journey from Nigeria to Harvard and Yale, is a testament to the transformative power of education and the enduring legacy of language as a bridge between cultures. As she continues to champion the cause of Igbo language and culture on the global stage, her story serves as a reminder that true progress lies not in the erasure of diversity, but in the celebration of it and that the voices of marginalized communities, like the Igbo people, deserve to be heard and valued in the corridors of academia and beyond.
