Ngozi Onyekwe was born in Nigeria which has within it many nations and peoples. Though everyone is considered Nigerian, most people also consider themselves to be part of another nation having their own "cultural group" and language. Ngozi is a member of the Ibos in the South-Eastern part of Nigeria. The Ibo people speak Igbo. There are many languages spoken in Nigeria, though English is widely taught and used as a second language.

Ngozi was given the name Goretti at baptism and is known here in the US by her Christian name. She does not consider herself completely Nigerian and describes her cultural identity as one that encompasses various religious as well as cultural transformations. In Goretti's life, religion was often a force that transported her to other countries or cultural situations. In a calming soft voice, she shared her story with me beginning with some background on her father.

"He wanted us to know the secrets of the white man", she said. Since she was born during a time of British colonization in Nigeria, her father's advice was certainly sound and constructive. To that end, he sent Goretti and her siblings to Catholic schools operated by Irish nuns and priests.

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