Ife means “Love”: A Yoruba name that I nurture.
I was called Ife by
my first Yoruba professor and it has been a part of my identity ever since. He
named me Ifedayo, from love comes joy. But then, over time, it became a part of
me.
Ife is what ties me
to my first step into African culture; Ife is the excitement I feel when I
learn about other worlds; Ife is the symbol that guides me forward as I explore
life and language and love in new places. Ife is my motivation.
Ife means “We”: A Lusoga word for togetherness.
I began to absorb all
the newness around me in Uganda. I slowly allowed myself to participate in the
rhythms here; the family dynamics, the way of life, the determination of the
family and my role in all of it. The majority of my day is spent listening to
conversations in Lusoga. So I analyze body language and tone, I listen for key
words like “Lena”, their nickname for me.
Ife is the word for
“we” in Lusoga; Ife is a family and a community; Ife is inclusive and accepting
and a reminder of our dreams; Ife is our hopes for something better; Ife is our
struggles together and our joys together; Ife is me and you.
We Love.
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