Re: In search of my paternal roots in Parakou, Benin Republic

I’m a borderlands and migrations scholar with a focus on language and identity. The reference to Songhai-Dendi in your story extends the sphere of interconnections beyond what I’d previously imagined. The old kingdoms ruptured by the colonialists were obviously less homogeneous than one imagined. I wondered if any Yoruba cultural influences were obvious on the […]

I’m a borderlands and migrations scholar with a focus on language and identity. The reference to Songhai-Dendi in your story extends the sphere of interconnections beyond what I’d previously imagined. The old kingdoms ruptured by the colonialists were obviously less homogeneous than one imagined. I wondered if any Yoruba cultural influences were obvious on the Benin side as you remarked for ‘Okuta.’

 I was especially thrilled by the shock that the Ambassador’s fluent English gave you! It reminded me of the Igolo children who daily crossed to Idiroko to attend English-medium schools during my fieldwork in 1991. The ‘envy’ I expressed in the text I sent to you has to do with my lack of resources to trace my own ancestral links to Egun-land as my paternal oriki indicates. But I am freshly inspired by your own account.

Sky, London

My response:

Thanks for your comments, Sky. In response to your question about Yoruba influences in Beninese Borgou, this is what I know: First, the Sabe (a Yoruboid language) are indigenous to Borgou. Their language is mutually intelligible with the main dialect of Nigerian Yoruba, although they don’t identify themselves as “Yoruba.” (Benin Republic’s current president is part Sabe and part Bariba, for instance.)

There is certainly a lot of Sabe influence in Borgou culture and language. But, rather curiously, the name for Nigeria in Beninese Borgou, including among the Sabe, is “Yoruten,” which is Bariba for “Yoruba land.” Does that say something?

Dear Farooq,

Thanks very much for your very rich and interesting story. I really admired your knowledge of the history and ethnic groups of that region of Benin Republic. I also admired the way you show the complexities of these historical interactions. I am myself both from Benin Republic and the Republic of Niger. My Father was a Maouri and Zerma from Niger, and my mother a Pula and Fon from Benin. I identified myself in your story as I know Parakou well and all these northern regions of Benin.

 I personally think that we need a unique passport for all Africans and hope that one day this pan African dream will become a reality. I however disagree with you when you said: “He asked for my ID, which I showed him. And that did the magic. We were now free to enter Parakou! Was I let off because I showed evidence that I live in America? Most probably. Tragic, isn’t it?”

These officers were doing their job as required by the country’s law. Yes, there is ECOWAS protocol on free movement of people and goods across ECOWAS countries. But this protocol does not suggest that people should cross borders without identification. It only suggests that they will not need a visa to go from one country to another. You are still required to show a proper identification when crossing the border, either an ID card or a national passport. This is not an offense as I have to show my ID to cross the border to enter either in Niger or Benin despite the fact that I am citizen of both countries and speak Hausa (useful in Niger) and Fon (useful in Benin) as well as Yoruba. The fact that you live in the US has nothing to do with this situation, and the officer let you in because you showed an ID. Yes, it is sad that the other officers called you an Igbo.

But, you have to agree with me that they had no way of knowing your history just because you speak Batonu or said so. With no offense, with your look that you described, you did look like an Igbo, not a Batonu. This being said, I have to say that our officers are often corrupt like everywhere in Africa and, an Igbo should also be welcomed correctly despite the bad reputation that Igbo have especially in southern Benin, in Cotonou in particular, due to their large presence and activities. Thanks again for your story.

Best,

Sani Adamou ([email protected])