I’m delighted to resume the show with a discussion on naming and history! In Episode 42, I’m chatting with Chinua Ezenwa-Ohaeto about his poetry collection, “The Naming,” a book about revelations and ongoing conversations with ancestors about identity, memory, and history.
Our journey begins with the definition of names and Chinua’s claim that his name is perhaps the most important in all of Igboland! We discuss the connection between names and Igbo history, touching on the Igbo Landing of 1803 and experiences of slavery in Igboland.
We also discuss the impact of internal and external influences on his creative work. Son of the late Ezenwa Ohaeto, co-winner of the 2025 NLNG Prize, Chinua shares the realities of unfair comparisons to his father and his management of harsh criticisms. He also reveals the critical advice he received from Kwame Dawes, which led to the creation of his collection.
Shaped by moving stories, Chinua’s “The Naming,” is for those searching for the paths that lead home. For those who want to initiate their own conversations with their ancestors.
Show highlights
- The Igbo Landing of 1803
- Filling his father’s jacket and being called a fake Achebe
- Using storytelling to give poetry meaning
- A story of hope during the Biafran war
- How to prepare for a PhD
“A day is not enough for you to produce a wonderful story.”
Chinua Ezenwa-Ohaeto
“The Naming” is out now from The University of Nebraska Press.
Got any thoughts on this episode, or want to suggest authors you’d like to see on the show? Send me a note here.
Listen on Spotify
Listen on other platforms
Watch the show
About Chinua Ezenwa-Ohaeto
Chinua Ezenwa-Ohaeto is a Nigerian poet and academic. He is the author of the 2020 chapbook, The Teenager Who Became My Mother and The Naming. Chinua is currently pursuing a PhD in English at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His works have won several awards and appeared in several literary publications. Find out more about Chinua on his website.
About The Naming
“The Naming” explores the movements, excesses, and extremes of existing as a postmodern individual, connecting these experiences to ancestry. The poems in this collection examine the various ways one remains tied to their ancestors by reimagining memories, history, homesteads, migration, and the intersections of the past, present, and possible futures. Through this exploration, the collection seeks to rebuild a world that doesn’t merely replicate realities but reinvents, enshrines, and restories them.
Guest’s links
Buy “The Naming:” https://www.chinuaezenwa-ohaeto.com
Visit Chinua’s website: https://www.carolineaddersonkids.com
Host’s links
Book a one-on-one with Lola: https://wordcaps.com/coaching/
Discover more from Journey of the Art
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.