3X SISTERS
This audio interview was recorded via zoom between Atlanta, U.S.A and London, U.K during the 2020 COVID-19 Lock Down.
Ifeanyi, Chisom and Tochukwu are sisters of Nigerian heritage. Over the course of 11 hours in total, the conversation interview covers their personal experiences of each other, the relationships they have with their mother, being African migrant daughters, and what could better their relationships. The recording was conducted by Kakazi founder Nicole Nabisere. The items below were selected by Ifeanyi, Chisom and Tochukwu as object, text and images significant to them. Annotations give context and brief descriptions of those items.
Doll
Tochukwu: A doll my Grandma brought with her the first time she came to the US. It’s carved from wood, and I remember thinking it was so strange that a child might cuddle with it or carry it around everywhere. It doesn’t signify comfort to me. This made me think more widely about comfort objects and comfort in general, as well as about what my experience would have been like growing up in Nigeria. In some ways, I imagine something as small as a toy can represent how I may have become accustomed to comfort and convenience growing up in the US that I would not have in Nigeria. This doll is in the hallway between bedrooms in our house.
String of shells
Tochukwu: Another picture is of a string of shells, which are often worn on the ankles of traditional dancers. Sometimes bells are worn as well. We started taking traditional Nigerian dance classes very young, I was in elementary school, and I remember hating it. For various reasons, we eventually stopped going. It wasn’t until high school, when I started thinking about my body in terms of ability rather than being insecure about my appearance, that I asked to start again. That dance group was a significant factor in cultivating my cultural identity, which led me to join other dance groups in college and bond with other African immigrants. These shells are in my closet in my room.
‘The Wombats’ Bracelet
Chisom: This bracelet features the name of one of my favourite bands growing up, and a clasp from an old broken necklace. I was very interested in making jewellery and collecting small items as a child. Since moving back home after college, I’ve been more focused on decluttering, and have gotten a rid of most of these small pieces. I still make jewellery from time to time (usually clay earrings), so I’m really hanging on to the bracelet for the clasp.
Vivaldi Music Box/Porcelain Egg
Chisom: Continuing with my love of small, pretty things, I bought the porcelain egg from one of my mother’s catalogues. When you wind up the key on the side, Vivaldi’s Spring plays. It used to have a very intricate lid, but it was broken several years ago. It’s one of the few things from my childhood that I’d like to keep for as long as possible, because it reminds me of my love of ballet (specifically The Nutcracker) and theatre from childhood.
Jewellery Box
Chisom: My mother bought this jewellery box for me after I received my first communion. I’d been eyeing it for almost a whole year in what was basically a gift shop in our church, convinced that something really special would happen if I owned it. I don’t think about it much these days, but I always know exactly where it is in the house. I don’t think I’ll ever bring myself to give it away.