Chimamanda Adiche pens an elegy to Chinua Achebe in Igbo [READ, TRANSLATION]

Ife mee,
Nnukwu ife mee,
Chinua Achebe anabago,
Onye edemede nke di,
Egwu, onye nnukwu uche, onye obi oma,
Keduzi onye anyi ga-eji eme onu?
Keduzi onye anyi ga-eji jee mba?
Keduzi onye ga-akwado anyi?
Ebenebe egbu o!
Anya mmili julu m anya,
Chinua Achebe, naba no ndokwa,
O ga-adili gi mma,
Naba na ndokwa.
English translation by Adaure Achumba
Something has happened
Something big/grave has happened,
Chinua Achebe is gone.
A great writer, a man of great wisdom, a man with a good heart.
Who shall we brag about?
Who are we going to tell the world about/take to other lands?
Who will guide us?
A storm has passed/a catastrophe has happened.
Tears fill my eyes.
Chinua Achebe rest in peace,
It shall be well with you.
Rest in peace.

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