One of the first women to be awarded a PHD in Classics in Sub-Saharan Africa, Folake Onayemi, tells OGHENOVO EGODO-MICHAEL about her career, the academia, lifestyle and other issues
Why did you choose to study Classics?
In my case, studying Classics was by divine arrangement. When I applied to the University of Ibadan, I was offered admission to study Language Arts (now Communication and Language Arts). I told an uncle, who is now late, that I would have loved to study Law. He then suggested that I should do Classics first, then switch to Law later. He took me to the department (of Classics) and we met Professor James Ilevbare, who later became my mentor. We were nine students in my set— four ladies and five men. While studying the course, I realised that some of the things I had come across as a child were actually classical literature.
There was a particular Yoruba children literature book I read growing up titled, ‘Awon Itan Esopu’, which I later realised was translation of the popular ‘Aesop’s Fables’. ‘Midas Touch’ and some other books I read as a child were actually classical literature. Both my parents were teachers and during the long holidays, my father would buy us a lot of books and instruct us to read and summarise them. That was what stirred my interest in literature. I got into UI through direct entry in 1983 and by the time I graduated in 1986, I did not want to study Law anymore.
Teachers are believed to be strict parents. What kind of childhood did you have?
My father was very vast. He taught both English and Mathematics. However, my mum took some time off teaching to nurture us (children). When we were older, she went back to work. She felt the need to be available for us when we were young. We were an average middle-class family. My father was a very private person and we did not mix a lot. My father raised me the same way he raised his male children, to the point that I did not notice I was a girl while growing up. Though my dad was monogamous, there were many children who lived with us, as some parents who wanted their children to go to school by all means would bring their children to our house then.
As a mother and grandmother, how do you balance family and work?
I have been very fortunate. I have been surrounded by a lot of good and understanding people, one of who is my sister who currently works with the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria in Ibadan, Oyo State. At some point, she was like a parent to my children. When I went to Brown University in Rhode Island, United States of America, I left my kids with her. This helped me to concentrate on my career without neglecting my children. My husband passed on three years ago. He was older than me, and he wanted me to succeed at all cost. He believed I was very brilliant, and that I could do anything intellectual.
What were your favourite courses and lecturers back in the university?
I loved all the literature courses in classics and beyond. They were my favourites. Professor Niyi Osundare, my poetry teacher at the time, was my favourite lecturer.
As a student, did you have any plan as regards what work you would do with your Classics degree upon graduation?
By the time I was in my second year, I had made already up my mind to stick to Classics. I focused on the course, strove for a good result and at the end of the day, it paid off.
You are said to be one of the first women to be awarded a PhD in Classics in Sub-Saharan Africa. To what heights did that achievement propel you?
It was Classics that opened doors for me. I did not do well in my Master’s degree. It was a trying time for me because I gave birth that period. I had planned to give birth after the programme but there was a six-month strike that disrupted the academic calendar. I gave birth through a Caesarian Section, and I started my exams two days later. I took a very big risk. I was told that the exams could not be shifted because of me, and that it was either I did it or repeat; and I did not want to repeat. However, I did not allow that to stop me. By the time I completed the programme, I was very much prepared to do my PhD. I was already employed in the department as an assistant lecturer before I started my PhD programme. When I bagged the PhD, I did not see it as a big deal until much later when I started going for intercontinental conferences. The first one I attended was in Greece, and from there, I got an award to do my PhD work at Brown University in Rhode Island. Whenever I mentioned that I came from the only university that taught Classics in Nigeria, all ears would be open and everybody would be ready to help (me). After my time at the University of Texas (also in the USA), I returned with six luggage of books. At that time, my personal library was richer than that of the university.
As a PhD student, were you the only female in your set?
I think I was the only PhD student at that time. When I did my Master’s, we were two students. The other person is also now a professor in the department. While I went for my PhD, he went into the media industry. After I became a lecturer in the department, I encouraged him to come back. But as of the time I was studying for my PhD, I was the only one.
You are an expert on comparative Greco-Roman and Nigerian literature, cultures, and mythology, particularly relating to the roles and representations of women. How were you able to carve that niche for yourself?
I realised that African culture was more similar to the classical cultures, than even the western ones. Many classical creative works can fit in the context of many African cultures because of their similar sociological and mythological backgrounds. Traditional Yoruba culture is also similar to the Ancient Greek culture in belief system, cultural values and even attitude to life. My inaugural lecture, ‘Paradigm of Life From Ancient Greek literature’ had me drawing similarities to even our contemporary world. I loved to do gender studies and I wanted gender studies to not only relate to my area of primary specialisation but also our contemporary life. That was how I was able to create a meeting point between the two to carve a niche for myself. However, I now do other works, such as translation. Some writers adapted classical literature into indigenous languages but those works are relatively unknown because they were written in African languages. I am currently working on some of them which were written by Olanipekun Esan. They include Teledalase, an adaptation of Sophecles’ Oedipus.
Your PhD thesis was on, ‘Fear of Women’s Beauty in Classical and African/Yoruba Literature’. What inspired that topic?
In ancient literature, beautiful women were feared, and there are many instances in literature that support this assertion. There is a Latin maxim that says, ‘Rarely do the gods give to a woman beauty and brain’. Also in African traditional settings, when women are too beautiful, some people believe they are ‘mami water’ (marine spirits). Those things are actually myths, and it is as a result of the fear of what a beautiful woman can do in society. That aversion was made for certain sociological and economic gains. In the archaic period and pre-classical times, it was important for everyone to be married, because society feared that the unmarried girl could subvert society. That was why there were myths like that to prevent the subversion of society. At that time, it was also necessary for society to grow through procreation. However, we know that is no longer the case. My thesis concluded that the fear was based on myths and should be done away with. It is possible for a woman to be beautiful and knowledgeable at the same time.
Many people believe that those who study Classics have a full grip of Latin. How true is that?
It is a fallacy. Some people who specialise in Latin definitely have a full grip of it, but most of us just have the basic knowledge of Latin. Everyone has their area of specialization because Classics is very vast. If I have to teach 400 level students Latin for a class of one hour, I might need to prepare for two or three hours before hand because my competence in Latin is not so high. I do not use the language every day, so I forget sometimes.
Do you believe in the existence of the Greek gods?
When it comes to beliefs, it will be unacceptable for someone to make a pronouncement on what used to be the belief of some people. It is just like if someone tells a Yoruba person that Sango is not a god. That will be an intrusion to my belief system that may not be agreeable to me. The people who told those stories had reasons for telling them as of the time they told it. The stories had influences on their society as of the time they were told. Therefore, it will be very unfair for anyone to make a pronouncement that the stories of a people are lies.
As an advisor to the American Council of Learned Societies’ humanity programme, what roles did you play?
I served as an advisor from the inception of the programme till the end. The programme was aimed at helping the humanities. At some point, some people came to the realisation that it is only in the sciences that scholars got grants. So, every year, a workshop would be organised to sensitise young scholars. The application would go through about three or four stages of assessment, and I was one of the assessors in the last stage. Many books were published, and many scholars got grants to complete their PhD, particularly those in the humanities. Now, it has metamorphosed into another programme, which was formed by people who benefited from the programme. They are still sponsoring scholarship in the humanities.
Many people in Nigeria still don’t know what the study of Classics entails. As the Nigerian representative at the International Federation of the Societies of Classical Studies, how are you changing that narrative?
I was able to establish that Classics still exist in Nigeria in 1999 when I attended my first congress. Also, over the years, we have had donations of books from other departments of classics at the international level. We have also been able to get other forms of donations and support, including exchange of students through the International Congress of Classical studies. We have partnered with other departments of classics in the world, and with technology, we have established Ibadan as a known classical destination. The University of Ibadan is now well represented in the international classics space. About three years ago, we had a programme with the department of classics at St John’s in New Foundland and Labrador, Canada, and we were able to have a workshop that brought in scholars from Ghana through Nigeria, to Canada. There are so many other leagues we have with different departments of classics all over the world.
What are some intriguing findings you have made from your comparative studies of Greco-Roman and African literature and culture?
The Yoruba culture has many similarities with the ancient Greek culture; for example, the idea of paying back care to one’s parents when they are old. I wrote a paper on it titled, ‘Sanwo Osonjo’. ‘Sanwo’ means to pay back. In Yoruba culture, when parents labour over their children, people say ‘wan ma sanjo fun yin o’ or ‘ejere won o’, which is the idea that their children would pay them back. So, the idea of paying back nurture, was called ‘crypteia’.
That is not part of the western culture, for instance, where parents of an 18-year-old are already thinking of ways to eject the child from the house without expectation of nurture in future. But, it was a similar culture in ancient Greek. In the western world, they have structures such as old people’s homes. However, the fact that the ancient Greek society had not only a name but a system for it was intriguing. I also find their belief system appealing and relatable with the traditional Yoruba system. I discovered so many intriguing things.
Were you looked down on for studying Classics?
Yes, I was. Some people made fun of me, saying all sorts of things. When some people asked me funny questions about classics, I would reply them with sarcasm. Some people are inferior, and they try to make one feel inferior too. Studying Classics does not make one inferior to anybody. As a matter of fact, one can do whatever any other arts graduate can do.
Your expertise on comparative Greco-Roman and Nigerian literature particularly relates to the roles and representations of women. Are the men from both cultures incomparable?
I started with keen interest in gender studies. However, in the long run, I told myself that I am not a feminist. I am a humanist who wants equal opportunities between both genders. I realised that it is not only women that ‘suffer’ in our cultures, men also go through a lot; and the same applied to the Greek society. There are too many expectations from a man, and that is why they were called heroes in Greek society. That is, a man needs to strive to prove himself as a hero in society, and that need has placed too much burden on a man. Many African cultures imply that a man must not cry. He must also bring food to the table. However, we have come to realise that in a home, both hands must be on deck regarding all aspects of needs and values contributed to the home, so that we can have a viable society. A man and a woman must join hands to train the child physically, spiritually, academically, mentally and even emotionally. In the same manner, it is necessary to pay attention to the upbringing of both male and female children.
What has been the highlight of your classical scholarship so far?
I received two grants simultaneously that took me to Greece. I stayed there for three months and I toured many archeology sites. I went to many notable spots in Greece, and at the end of the trip, I knew Greece like the back of my hand. All the things I had read and studied before then came alive, and when I returned to the University of Ibadan, I could teach without books because everything was so real. I visited the island of Chios (one of the three places that lay claim to the birthplace of Homer), the stadium at Olympia (where the first Olympics took place), the Temple and the Theatre at Epidaurus (that lay claim to one of the best natural acoustics in the world and one of the best preserved ancient theatres in the world). I also visited Mycenea (where Heracles is said to have performed the twelve labours), Argos (the tomb of Agamemnon, the lion gates, and the giant walls), Mount Athos and Meteora (that house the largest and second largest monasteries respectively), the excavated theatre at Phillipi in Kavala, Vergina (where you have the tomb of King Philip II, father of Alexander the Great; an awesome mausoleum that displays the great wealth of that period. As of the time I was there, the gold jewelleries looked as if they were just crafted.) I also visited the Knossos (the incredibly wealthy capital of Minoan civilization on the island of Crete). I went to the prison of Paul at Phillipi, as well as Nafplio, the first capital city of modern Greece; and many other places that I cannot recount offhand. I also visited many temples, sanctuaries and museums. That experience was a turnaround in my career because it established to me what I had read and struggled to believe. It showed me how real the classical world was. Their ancient life is well preserved. Practically everywhere one turns to in Greece is historical, including history from far as back as 12,000 years before Christ. I saw all those things side by side with modern life, and it was so intriguing. When I came back, I wrote a report titled, ‘The Invincible Greece’.
As someone who has been exposed to the Roman/classical way of life, language, religion and thought process, how do you cling to your own culture such that the Roman culture does not interfere with your cultural identity?
Greek culture is different from Roman culture but both of them make up the classical culture. The ancient Greeks were defeated by the Romans, so everything Greek was assimilated and given Roman names. I specialised in the Greek aspect. I am able to find a balance by recognising that what is mine is mine. I am a Yoruba and African person. I know what it is to be an African and I love being an African. I look at the good things in our culture and stick to them, while I jettison what does not resonate with me. The purpose of education should be for the improvement of oneself and one’s life as well as society at large. Also, with the other cultures I have learnt about, I adopt what is good and skip what does not resonate with me. I am not a Greek person after all, but I know what it is like to be a Greek person.
Since you focused on the roles of women and their representation in literature and drama, how many Nigerian and Roman literatures have you read?
I have lost count (laughs). I have read so many that sometimes, I forget some until a word or a referral brings it back to mind.
Who is your biggest support system?
My family members all support me. My late husband, my sister, my children and even my mentors in the classical world have always been there for me.
With unending strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities amid constant disagreements with the government, what do you think is the way forward for public varsity education in Nigeria?
The Nigerian educational system is heartbreaking. Until we get leadership right, we will not get many other things right in our country. We are a highly blessed nation but unfortunately, we need a leadership that will take into cognisance the need of every Nigerian. I saw an information on the Internet recently which identified Nigerian academics as the least paid in the world. Today, some of my students from Ghana have been beneficiaries of American programmes, and even Nigerians who are in the United Kingdom on scholarships. But, we can’t boast of such here in Nigeria.
Do you think lecturers’ salary is enough for them to manage their homes?
As a professor of 14 years, I do not even earn up to N500,000 a month. It is a shame that I have taught at the University of Ghana many times and I earned even more over there; yet, it was established in the same year as the University of Ibadan. I have been tempted many times to take up a permanent spot in the University of Ghana, but the love I have for my country would not let me. I sincerely want to see Nigeria succeed because once we can get it right, many other parts of Africa will experience the same. We see the way the government does things and we chastise them; only for ‘us’ to get there and make the same mistakes. I believe that Nigeria will certainly do well if merit is allowed to thrive.
At this stage of your life and career, are there still things you are keen on achieving?
I believe that once one no longer has targets, one would start to degenerate. One must always have something that one is keen on achieving. There are still things I want to achieve.
How have you contributed to mentoring up-and-coming scholars of Classics?
I would not want to blow my trumpet because it would seem like I am boasting. However, I have done what needs to be done. I have many mentees.
If you could change something from the past, what would it be?
I would give Nigeria great leaders and good followers.
What is your advice to young students out there whose chances of being graduates are being sabotaged by the Nigerian educational system?
My advice is that they should hold on; relief would come soon. For the time being, they should lay their hands on positive programmes. There are many opportunities on the Internet these days, which they can take advantage of.
Many people think most lecturers are introverts. Do you agree?
I am not the typical professor. I love to dance. I come from a very diverse background, so I love to party. I love good and sensible music. I also write poetry for fun.
With your knowledge of traditional and classical religions, how much do you believe in God?
It is very difficult for a classicist to believe in religion, so I do not question my faith. I made up my mind to just believe.
How do you like to dress?
I do not like clothes that expose parts of my body. I am always well covered up. When it comes to dressing, I put comfort first. Anything that makes me uncomfortable, I do not go for it. I also do not like to wear extravagant make-up.
Who are some mentors you had growing up that you have met now?
I have always had most of my mentors with me. Most of my mentors were professors in my school, so, I was always around them. Some of them are Dr Egberike, Dr Niyi Osundare, Nigel Nenry and Prof L. A Thompson.
