Opinion: Dija’s ‘Inyamuri’, An Affront To Igbos – Daniel Whyte

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'Inyamuri' is a track off @aphroDIJA project 'Afro-pop Volume 1'.
For starters, 'Inyamuri' is a derogatory word coined by Hausas from the ibo word "Anya-nmiri" which means tears & a follow up word "do-do-ndoya" which comes from 'Ndo (Sorry)'. pic.twitter.com/F2RfIj5vw8

— DANIEL AKPENUCHI WHYTE (@danielwhyte2) December 16, 2020

It dates back to Biafran era. I'm not Igbo but I find it insulting. The word inyamuri came into existence during the civil war when badly starved igbo children would beg the Nigerian soldiers (mostly hausa)for water saying "Nye'm mmiri". it was then used to refer to the ibos.

— DANIEL AKPENUCHI WHYTE (@danielwhyte2) December 16, 2020

Bottom line is Research should be the foundation of creative works.

The intent of the song was harmless, but coming from Dija, A Hausa person, this may invoke unpleasant memories in some persons who lived through that era. That aside, "Afro-Pop Volume 1 is a great project!

— DANIEL AKPENUCHI WHYTE (@danielwhyte2) December 16, 2020