Against the backdrop of a patriarchal, oppressive society that denies self-expression and condemns homosexuality, a young boy grapples with the truth of his authentic self. Nigerian writer Chukwuebuka Ibeh’s debut novel, Blessings, takes readers on a moving journey through the struggles of a young protagonist, Obiefuna, as he navigates the complexities of identity, societal expectations, and the quest for self-acceptance.
Obiefuna, the firstborn child of Anozie and Uzoamaka, was a blessing that brought immense joy to their little family. After enduring multiple miscarriages, like a miracle, he stayed, a profound relief for Uzoamaka. However, Obiefuna was not like other children, even before his birth, his presence seemed to herald significant positive changes, including the family’s move to a better home. “You know, he brought us all these blessings,” Anozie would fondly remark in the early days after Obiefuna’s birth, a sentiment that would later undergo a stark transformation in the way he treated his son. When Ekene was born, the vivid differences between the two brothers became increasingly apparent. Unlike the reserved Obiefuna, Ekene effortlessly made friends and excelled at football, even later securing a coveted spot at an academy in Ghana. Much to Anozie’s dismay, Obiefuna enjoyed dancing, and other pursuits unconventional of a teenage boy.
The story begins with the arrival of Aboy, a village boy whom Anozie had promised to take care of. Aboy, a tall, hardworking, and dark-skinned youth, inadvertently becomes the catalyst for Obiefuna’s self-discovery and realization of his sexuality. For Obiefuna, Aboy’s presence was an epiphany, unlocking the opportunity to embrace a life he had long yearned for but remained elusive. However, this awakening was fleeting, as Anozie soon discovered his son’s ‘unconventional’ desires, prompting him to hastily send Obiefuna away to a seminary boys’ school. The irony of Anozie’s decision is palpable: in an attempt to ‘cure’ his son of his perceived ‘deviance,’ he relocates him to an environment surrounded solely by boys. One can’t help but question the true motivations behind Anozie’s punishment. Perhaps he could not bear the sight of Obiefuna in his house, ashamed that his own flesh and blood could be ‘different.’ Or perhaps it was a misguided attempt at correction, with Anozie hoping that the seminary’s influence would ‘change’ his son’s ways. Regardless of his intentions, the consequences backfired, leaving a distraught Uzoamaka longing for her beloved blessing — Obiefuna.
Blessings sets a captivating rhythm, seamlessly weaving together themes of survival, politics, family, friendship, and most prominently, queerness. The novel’s beauty lies in its ability to navigate multiple thematic terrains simultaneously, grounded by richly developed characters whose stories unfold organically as the narrative progresses. The book alternates between chapters chronicling Obiefuna’s formative years at boarding school and Uzoamaka’s heart-wrenching journey of grappling with her son’s absence while battling cancer.
We witness Obiefuna’s complex relationship with a feared senior student, Papilo, within the hierarchical “school father-son” dynamic. What initially appears as a well-intentioned mentorship rapidly turns into a toxic dynamic, with Senior Papilo exploiting Obiefuna for menial chores and subjecting him to physical abuse fueled by his hot-tempered outbursts. Certain passages may leave readers momentarily perplexed, questioning the nature of their bond, as Ibeh’s narration alludes to the “mesmerizing effect” Senior Papilo exerts over Obiefuna, potentially leading some to anticipate a sexual encounter between the two. However, this anticipation is quashed when Papilo takes Obiefuna to experience his first sex relations with a prostitute, any illusion of a romantic dynamic shattered. Intriguingly, after Papilo’s graduation, his presence in Obiefuna’s life seems to dissipate from the narrative, and Ibeh appears disinclined to delve into the aftermath of their complex relationship, much to the disappointment of readers who had grown invested in their dynamic.
Obiefuna’s journey of self-discovery and embracing his sexuality is fraught with challenges. Among his seminary friends, Jekwu and Wisdom, he is forced to conceal his true self, as they harbor an avid hatred towards homosexuals. This hatred manifests itself through their relentless bullying of another student, Festus, who unapologetically embraces his preferences. Festus’ unyielding spirit evoked conflicting emotions within Obiefuna — a sense of aspiration for his fearlessness, yet also a longing to express himself openly. But Obiefuna’s need to be accepted by others comes before his need to accept himself. This internal conflict is highlighted when Obiefuna finds himself the object of affection from the most desired beauty at the neighboring girls’ school. Despite his lack of reciprocal feeling, he basks in the attention, relishing the validation that he too can capture the heart of the most coveted girl. His moment of societal approval is undercut by the reality that his true desires lie elsewhere, rendering him unable to genuinely reciprocate her advances.
Blessings is a narrative tale with tragedies that reverberate through the lives of its characters. Anozie banishes Aboy, a young boy from humble beginnings, solely because he became the object of Obiefuna’s affection. While Aboy manages to forge a successful path, one can’t help but ponder the potential outcomes had his circumstances been less fortunate — what if this unjust banishment had driven him down a dark road, perhaps even resorting to criminal activities, simply for the ‘crime’ of gazing too long at Obiefuna? Obiefuna never gets over his childhood crush on Aboy, their time together crushed before even fully beginning.
Amidst the turmoil, Uzoamaka stood as the sole beacon of acceptance for her son, embracing him wholeheartedly. However, her battle with cancer and eventual passing leaves behind a shattered Obiefuna, bereft of her unwavering love and support. Despite her acceptance, Uzoamaka lacked the authority to sway Anozie’s resolute decision to separate Obiefuna from his home, cruelly robbing her of precious years with her beloved son. When Obiefuna finally returns, it is a bittersweet reunion, as Uzoamaka’s light has already started to quench.
The criminalization of homosexuality by the Nigerian government casts a long shadow of disappointment over the characters’ lives in Blessings. Miebi, who genuinely loved Obiefuna, was trapped by societal pressures to marry. In the aftermath of his mother’s passing during Obiefuna’s University days, he found solace in Miebi’s tender embrace. But this goes away when Miebi succumbs to the arrangement of marrying a woman chosen by his mother, much to Obi’s dismay. Yet another tragedy unfolds when Tunde, a member of Miebi’s social circle, falls victim to a horrific ordeal — kidnapped, beaten, and nearly killed. Ultimately, his only hope for survival lies in seeking asylum in the United States, as his homosexuality was exposed, rendering him a target of the Nigerian police’s unrelenting persecution.
Obiefuna’s journey towards self-acceptance proves to be a challenging path. He made a somber confession to his father, once, when Anozie told him that he could go to prison for being queer. “I’ve been imprisoned all my life,” Obiefuna declared, a testament to his determination to break free from the shackles that have bound him for far too long. Despite losing his mother, Aboy, and his one true love — Miebi, we see Obiefuna take steps to accept things for how they are, slowly learning that some things, like his homosexuality and his father’s contempt for it, can never change.
Blessings stands out as a touching tale of acceptance, it shines brilliantly among other literary debuts. While Obiefuna’s journey serves as the narrative’s central axis, the novel transcends his individual story, emerging as a profound reflection on the lived experiences of queer existence in Nigeria. Ibeh weaves his tale with an intimate and nuanced hand, capturing the attention of esteemed voices like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who praises his writing as “delicate, wonderfully observant, and so beautiful.”
Love, with all its complexities and controversies, is a universal language that transcends the boundaries of sexual preferences. With Blessings, Ibeh navigates the theme of queerness with a rare openness and authenticity, inviting readers to confront their preconceptions and embrace a broader understanding of the human experience. His storytelling dares us to extend acceptance to one another and to cherish the greatest blessing — the existence of our fellow human beings in all their beautiful diversity.
