Y’ello! I’m Habiba. How far (pronounced: “how fa”)? In Nigerian pidgin, this means “how are you?” Pidgin is a simplified way of speaking between people who speak different languages (over 500 are spoken here!).
One of these languages is Ebira, which is also the name for the ethnic group that speaks it. Since living in Abuja, I've learned my last name,“Odogba,” is the Ebira word for “elephant.” Abuja is the capital of Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa. This is my first time visiting, which excites me because my dad is from here, and I studied African American and African Diaspora Studies in college.
Now, I study the endangered textile histories of the Ebira people. To reaffirm the tradition’s relevance today, I will weave blankets that raise awareness about mental health. One day, I want to create medical fabrics that heal injuries, reduce stress, and can be shared worldwide with populations struggling to access health care. Together, we'll unravel the power of cloth!
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is the United States government's flagship international exchange program. Fulbrighters foster mutual understanding between the United States and partner nations, share knowledge across communities, and improve lives around the world. Learn more by clicking here!
