A well-known Spartan and his interesting Nigerian cultural experience.
Photo by Mateo Rocha
TJ Spartan Chidiebere Kelechi Agwu, otherwise known as KC Agwu, has demonstrated how modesty and a good attitude can help anyone achieve and succeed.
Chidiebere received his nickname ‘KC’ because of a Nigerian custom of how to present one’s name. “Usually in Nigeria you go by your middle name, as opposed to your first name, so I would be called Kelechi. Since people can’t exactly pronounce that here (Denver), I started getting called KC for Kelechi Chidiebere, and ever since then the name’s stuck,” said KC.
KC is a Colorado native, but was raised in a Nigerian home where culture has become a thriving characteristic in his life. “We’ve retained the Nigerian culture in our home and still follow up with the traditions,” said KC.
Nigerian Independence Day is celebrated in the Chidiebere household every year on October 1st. Festivities such as music, dancing, and eating take place on this proud day of independence. KC practices the tradition called ‘the breaking of the kola nut’, which entails eating the unique kola nut and savoring it’s bitter taste. “Eating the kola nut is a traditional way to mark a day of importance,” said KC.
Traditional Nigerian foods are a large part of KC’s diet. “One of my favorite meals is vegetable soup with farina,” said KC. Farina is a paste made by pounding yams into a less dense substance. Farina is added to soups as a condiment to provide a different, wheat-like taste in the soup.
Another significant characteristic of Nigerian lifestyle is the traditional, folkloric music. “Nigerian music is mainly just dancing music. There is a lot of percussion involved, because the beats are what makes it dance music,” said KC. In a single live performance, there can be up to five percussionists on the stage at once. Pan flutes and other kinds of flutes accompany the beats of the percussion by bringing in a melody to the music. “You hear this type of music everywhere in Nigeria; it’s the culture,” stated KC.
The distinction of Nigerian and American culture is an interesting balance that KC has developed. “I’ve learned how Nigerian culture differs from American, but to me living in Denver isn’t a challenge or anything, it’s just how I live,” said KC. One large distinction that KC sees between American and Nigerian lifestyle is the fashion. Traditionally, Nigerian men wear long sleeved shirts with interesting designs on them, accompanied by a small hat called a Yoruba. Nigerian women typically wear long dresses with similar designs to the men’s shirts. Instead of wearing Yoruba’s, women typically wear head scarves. “You tend to see women of all ages, including little girls, wearing the head scarf. It’s traditional,” said KC.
KC’s parents are originally from a southern city in Nigeria called Lagos. This is the second most populous city in Africa after Cairo, Egypt. “When I was eight I had the chance to visit Nigeria. My family and I traveled to Lagos and my mother’s birth village called Amanimo,” said KC. “Everyone seems to live in a tight knit kind of community. The houses are pretty similar in appearance to the ones you see in America, but they tend to be a little bit smaller. Geographically speaking, most of Nigeria has wide and open plains; a lot of wild animals roam the places and you can see them fairly close to your village, ” said KC.
As a young kid KC encountered an interesting experience that most American’s don’t; growing up with African customs but assimilating American culture. “When I first began my education I was hit with culture shock. A lot of customs seemed strange to me since all I had known then were the customs in my house. On top of that time I only spoke a form of broken English called Pidgin English,” said KC. Pidgin English is considered to be, if not the first language children learn in Nigeria, the second language that Nigerian people speak. “Now that I’m older I’ve learned to balance the two cultures. Overall it’s been a really cool experience,” said KC.
KC says that Thomas Jefferson has become like a home for him in the past four years he has attended the school. “When I began my studies here as a freshman it was a bit of a hard adjustment from middle school, but after awhile I got the routine licked; my past four years have been great, but my senior year so far has been the best,” said KC. “Classes have become smoother for me, and since I’m on my way out and have all my credits covered, I am not really worrying about high school at the moment,” said KC.
Finding the balanced routine between schoolwork and a job is a task that KC fulfills with ease. In KC’s time away from school he is an employee for the Starfish Group. “My friend got me involved with cleaning for the company. We go around from one office building to the next and clean the place. The hours are great and it benefits me with a salary,” said KC.
Apart from earning a salary, KC realizes that academics are a very important part of his life. Ever since taking chemistry his junior year, KC has grown fond of the subject and plans on studying this science in his future education. His high school chemistry teacher, Kara Rainey, was an avid supporter of KC’s studies and grew to admire his work ethic and character. “I appreciated his participation in the class; he was always attentive and asked good questions,” said Rainey. “He is a hard worker and I believe that whatever he wants to do in his future he will do exceptionally well. He is meant to excel in anything he chooses to do,” said Rainey.
KC is an active participant in the Black Student Alliance (BSA) at TJ, which is a club that not only supports the school community, but the African-American community, as well. Club Sponsor, Danny Showers, acknowledges KC’s shining personality and enjoys his presence. “KC is an overall professional; one of his strongest traits is his attention to detail and the way he follows through with project management,” said Showers, who would also like to mention that the BSA welcomes anybody interested in participating in club projects and organization, regardless of one’s ethnicity.
KC takes pride in his hometown of Denver and takes part in a wide range of community activities. “I enjoy all the activities around the city. I like the sports, such as basketball and football, as well as the people that live in Denver,” said KC. Even though he a Colorado native, and has grown up with American culture, KC says that his family will always retain Nigerian culture, lifestyle, and other distinguished elements of a Nigerian family.
KC’s future looks to be full of hard work and success. With plans to attend Purdue University, KC will be fulfilling his life goals. Nigerian culture and admirable character traits will contribute to his future accomplishments, and TJ is lucky enough to host an individual with a bright future ahead of him.
