Culture is currency

Why embracing our cultural legacy today is our greatest investment for tomorrow

“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin, and culture is like a tree without roots.”– Marcus Garvey

These days, I can’t escape the rising tide of Nigerian culture. It’s everywhere — on social media, where Nigerian food challenges and wedding entrances are trending; in music, with Nigerian sounds often lumped under the umbrella of Afrobeats; and even in the news, as seen with Meghan Markle and Harry’s well- telecasted visit to Nigeria, during which Markle sought to reconnect with her African roots. Although I don’t typically follow royal or modern pop culture, this trend has made a significant impact, especially in the United Kingdom, where my partner is from. While I could choose another cultural phenomenon to frame this essay, Nigerian culture feels particularly fitting right now. Incidentally, although I belong to the Caribbean diaspora, I’m about three-quarters Nigerian, which makes this topic even more personal and intriguing to me.