A Nigerian-Japanese content creator, Katy Igwe, popularly known as Ada Igbo, has sparked widespread admiration on social media after sharing a video of herself conversing fluently in Igbo with another Japanese-Igbo woman.
The video, which was posted on YouTube on Thursday before gaining traction on TikTok, Instagram and other social media platforms, has attracted thousands of views, with many users praising the duo for preserving their Igbo heritage despite being raised in Japan.
Igwe, an indigene of Oguta in Imo State who resides in Tokyo, is widely known for creating content that promotes cultural exchange while showcasing the blend of Nigerian and Japanese traditions.
In the viral clip, recorded during an African and Caribbean festival in Japan, the content creator met another woman identified as Ada Amaka, who also traced her roots to Imo State.
When asked whether she could speak Igbo, Amaka responded confidently in the language, saying, “Yes, I speak Igbo. I even prepare cassava.”
She also disclosed that her father had always encouraged her to proudly identify as an Igbo woman whenever she visited Nigeria, despite her Japanese background.
“My dad doesn’t allow me to tell people I’m from Japan when I’m in Nigeria. He wants me to proudly say I’m an Igbo woman and stand by my identity,” she said.
The pair went on to discuss Nigerian cuisine, with Amaka revealing that Oha and Egusi soups were among her favourite dishes.
Although she admitted she rarely had the opportunity to prepare traditional soups because older family members usually handled the cooking, she said she could make meals such as jollof rice and fried rice.
Reacting to Amaka’s impressive command of the language, Igwe said the encounter helped her understand why many people were often surprised whenever she spoke Igbo.
“I finally understand why people are always shocked when I speak even a little Igbo. I’m amazed at how fluent she is, and she also speaks Japanese. Now I understand why people say, ‘I’m hearing my people, but I’m not seeing my people,’” she said.
Amaka explained that she was raised to embrace both her Japanese and Igbo heritage, while Igwe noted that although her spoken Igbo was not as fluent, she understood everything her fellow creator said.
The video has since generated an outpouring of reactions, with many social media users applauding the women’s parents for ensuring they retained their native language despite growing up abroad.
Several commenters described the clip as inspiring, while others lamented their inability to speak their indigenous language despite being raised in Nigeria.
The viral exchange has also reignited conversations on the importance of preserving indigenous Nigerian languages among children in the diaspora, with many viewers describing the video as a powerful example of cultural identity transcending geographical boundaries.
Watch video HERE
