afamefuna

my name, before i changed it to neec nonso, is chukwunonso chukwuemeka. it means ‘'god is near me'’ and ‘'god has done something great'’ respectively. it is what my people would consider a good name, but i made the change. the reason for the change lies in its association with the christian god my clergy parent instilled in me, rather than reflecting my own identity.

in the language of photography, i embark on a voyage into the world of names. through my eight-piece project, i uncover the rich layers of meaning, emotion, and culture hidden within the simple act of naming. these visual stories invite you to an emotional journey where names aren't just words; they're vessels filled with feelings and memories. through my photography, names become carriers of history and culture, shaping how we see the world. each image is like a universe, ensuring that the essence of a name, like "afamefuna" (my name will not be lost), remains unblemished by translation, misunderstanding, or misjudgment.

christianity's misinterpretations of "ekwensu" and "esu" as "satan" have obscured the true brilliance of these deities in igbo and yoruba traditions. this project reveals the depths of misunderstanding that have concealed these names. their true meanings, distinct from the christian portrayal of satan.