Tundun Adeyemo is a writer and blogger hailing from Nigeria, who recently debut her first book of poems chronicling her life from Nigeria to Britain. A beautiful book about the experiences of a young girl becoming a woman far away from the comforts of home. I caught up with the writer to discuss her work, her take on British culture and what she has learnt from living in England.
Can you tell us a little about your life? Where you are from? Where you grew up etc…
I was born in Lagos with the rest of my siblings, but I grew up in Ibadan where I have very happy memories of a childhood with my family and friends. I remember different parts of the city with affection and some concern. Affection in the sense that I remember buying Booli and Groundnuts in Bodija and also frequenting the Mr Biggs in the same area. I went to Ibadan a couple of years ago and whilst driving during the school day, I saw some kids washing in a stream, yards from Premier Hotel. They should have been in school. I also noticed a lot of kids when we went shopping in Oja –Oba without shoes too. My mother’s family has lived in the Oke-Aremo district of Ibadan since the 1940s. Her father had fought in the Great War. My father was from Okuku in Osun State.
What made you emigrate to England?
I wanted to achieve a Master’s Degree in Law. I completed this in 2003.
Was England all you expected?
It was my first experience away from home. I am not sure that I had expectations as such. England is not heaven. Like any place, it has its good, bad and ugly sides.
How do you think your poems can help other immigrants who may have gone through the same experiences as you?
I do not think that my poems can specifically help anybody in that sense to be honest. My poems can offer respite and confirm to others that what they are feeling is loneliness. Recently, a friend spent some of her university break with me. When I dropped her off, she started to cry. I knew those tears you see, I had been there before. I have written about loneliness in England. It is what a lot of people experience, but they find it hard to talk about or deal with. It is what makes a girl live in her boyfriend’s house regardless of how bad he treats her; it causes unsupported students to get depressed and develop unsocial habits. Loneliness for immigrants is an issue we need to tackle. I feel for students who don’t have family in this country; students stuck in a room the size of an average kitchen store. Back home, you never feel this lonely or alone, as we have our communities of families, and friends and so on. Having said that, there is support here through church/mosque networks, but I hear it is not quite the same like home.
Do you have another book in the pipelines?
I write a weekly column for TELL Magazine. There is a collection of my articles in the pipeline nearly ready for publication.
What inspired you to become a writer?
I don’t know that I got my inspiration from one source in particular. I have always loved reading and writing. In an ideal world, that’s what I will do full time. Read and write. I started to keep a journal of my thoughts when I was eight years old I think. I love writing. I started blogging years ago. If you enjoy writing in any format, you are a writer, or are you not?
Which of your poems is your favourite?
The poems dedicated to my little girl mean a lot to me. They remind me of my mother’s dedication to me. I hope I am what my mum was to me to my little girl and more.
Was it hard for you to integrate into British culture upon your arrival?
The British culture when I arrived was unclear. I lived with Nigerians at different times and when you remain within your Nigerian circles, you really are not integrating. Integration outside your circle is another ball game. Most Nigerians will tell you that there is so much you can reveal to those who are not Nigerians as they may not understand you. Having said that, I have friends from other cultures and countries who have become family to me. The British culture is the sub total of the diversity of cultures present in our country today. It could be Nigerian, Zimbabwean, Kenyan and so on. What I have learned are our shared culture of tolerance and respect.
Apart from writing what are your interests?
I like to think that I love reading as well and these days, I have taken a like to travelling around Europe and the United Kingdom.
Where can we find out more about you?
My blog is the best place online: www.blackandoutspoken.com
Who is your favourite author?
I have so many favourite authors, when I was growing up though I loved John Grisham, Jeffery Archer and Sidney Sheldon.
What does poetry mean to you?
Poetry means different things to different people. A poem could be written about a smile, the reasons behind a tear, the early sunrise or a de ja vu moment. I use a lot of poetic license to express my feelings and my thoughts. I find poetry a way to release emotions. There are times when your partner does not understand you and you feel misunderstoood or unable to express what is going through your mind. Poetry helps me walk through some of my most difficult emotions and experiences. Sometimes, it is easier to write poem than to talk to someone.
Where can we find your book?
My book is on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, Smash words and on most major online retailers.
A link to the book can be found here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tundun-Adeyemo/e/B00JLPNQ9W
Published in the British Blacklist. Link here: http://www.thebritishblacklist.com/tbbsundayread-tammy-speaks-tundun-adeyemo-author-the-immigrant/. Interview by@Tammyvm
Naked. A blog by Tundun Adeyemo 