Amarachi Attamah-Ugwu’s journey is a powerful testament to resilience, vision, and the relentless pursuit of cultural preservation.
She has dedicated her life to promoting and celebrating the Igbo culture, using the Igbo language as her primary tool. Despite initial skepticism, Amarachi has persevered and achieved significant recognition for her efforts.
On August 24, 2024, Amarachi was honored with the title of “Eziada Igbo Gburugburu” (accomplished daughter of the Igbo worldwide) by the Ogbako Umunwanyi Igbo Worldwide Foundation in Nnewi, Anambra State. This honor is the latest in a series of accolades she has received for her tireless advocacy for Igbo culture.
Amarachi responded to the honor by saying, “This recognition is more than a personal achievement; it symbolizes the vibrant legacy and enduring power of our heritage. Receiving this title strengthens my resolve to advocate for and celebrate our rich culture globally. I am immensely grateful to the Ọgbakọ Ụmụnwaanyị Worldwide Foundation and to all who have supported my mission.”
Her journey began with a simple yet profound question: “Eji Igbo eme gini?” (What would you do with this Igbo language?). Amarachi’s positive answer was, “Eji Igbo aga uwa nine” (I will travel and conquer the world with the Igbo language and customs). And indeed, she has traveled the world, spreading Igbo culture and language.
Currently, Amarachi serves as an Igbo Language Instructor at two prestigious Ivy League universities: Harvard and Yale. At Harvard, she is part of the African Languages Program (ALP) in the Department of African and African American Studies. At Yale, she teaches Igbo through the Directed Independent Language Study (DILS) program at the Yale Center for Language Study.
Amarachi’s diverse roles include being a chant performer, poet, broadcaster, mother-tongue advocate, seeker, researcher, culture anthropologist, and mentor for the SOUND YOUR GONG program. Her interests span indigenous language sustainability, culture curation, memory, and intangible heritage preservation. Her performances and research have taken her to various countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the USA. Notable performances include the Gendering Africa Symposium at Columbia University and the Performance Across Identities 2021 in the United States.
Amarachi completed a Research, Education, and Interpretation Fellowship/Internship at the Frontier Culture Museum for the West Africa Exhibit (Igbo Village) in Staunton, Virginia. She is also a graduate student in Museum Studies and Cultural Heritage Preservation at Syracuse University, New York.
Her core interests are in indigenous language sustainability, culture curation, and intangible heritage preservation. Amarachi is passionate about indigenous identity sustainability through various creative forms. She aims to critically analyze and document African chanting and folklore, with a focus on Igbo chanting for her PhD studies in pan-African studies and Ethnomusicology.
Amarachi has also built networks of young sustainability voices through festivals, workshops, competitions, and mentorship programs. She uses her social media platforms to encourage the study of the Igbo language, supporting students across different universities. This initiative has gathered over 50 students in a WhatsApp group, providing them with career guides and encouragement.
Amarachi and her colleague Charles Ogbu have revived interest in the life and work of Igbo folklore artist Mike Ejeagha. They launched a social media campaign to repaint his home and celebrate his 92nd birthday, which highlighted his music and contributions. Two years later, Ejeagha’s music is streaming globally.
Born and raised in Northern Nigeria, Amarachi was influenced by the pride people had in their indigenous languages. Upon returning to the East, she noticed a lack of pride in Igbo culture and resolved to change this trend. Despite initial challenges in speaking and writing standard Igbo, Amarachi remained resilient and continued learning. She published her first novella in 2007 and her first Igbo short story collection in 2014. Her poetry performances on stage received positive responses, leading her to create awareness about the Igbo language and culture.
Amarachi’s efforts have inspired annual festivals where schools made presentations and cultural displays in the Igbo language, engaging the community and restoring the dignity of the Igbo race. Her work continues to inspire and motivate others to celebrate and preserve Igbo culture globally. As she says, “Let us all continue to sound our gongs, raise our voices, and celebrate the beauty of Igbo culture together. Daalụ, and here’s to more milestones in our shared cultural preservation and promotion journey!”
