Acting Me
I’m Anayawa. I wish I found this site a few years ago like when I was a teenager with so many issues but by then I didn’t know what a TCK was. But now is just fine because I still have issues at 24yrs.
Well, about me. I was born in Zambia and when I was 3 almost 4 my family moved to Canada where my dad did his studies for 7 years. Canada is great. I grew up thinking the world is a peaceful place full of friendly people, I never saw race/tribe etc.
When my father finished his studies we moved back to Zambia and I was excited, but…. Our national language is English but we have 72 tribes which can be reduced to 7 major tribes and each has its own language and customs. My parents belong to different major tribes and I was able to speak both fluently. Unfortunately I forgot them when in English speaking Canada. Apart from the accent, most people think I’m of mixed race because of the way I look. Through my teenage years I was really depressed. I always felt like a tourist in my own country.
I guess I’ve always been trying so hard to act like everyone else but I couldn’t and I can’t.
I went to University of Zambia for sometime then I left to study in Czech Republic been here for 2 yrs so far. Christmas is the most depressing holiday for me because I’m away from my family the only people who I know I always fit in with. Last Christmas I celebrated with my country mates. Big mistake because I was acting white again or I was acting out of my tribe (it hurts me). I like hanging out with my other foreign friends because with them I know I’m not supposed to fit in, I can just act me. Its only a problem when they picture me as the image of the ideal Zambian/African. Once they meet my other mates, they are like, ‘Ana you are so different’. Well, I guess they are right, that’s being me, acting different.
Anayawa Nyambe
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6 Comments to “Acting Me”
March 15th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Hello Anayawa,
Welcome to TCK, I sympathize with you, I know is tough to feel like an outsider. I am sure you will find that it’s a feeling shared by most on this site.
Czech republic, wow, but are you studying in English or Czech? Just wondering, I’ve heard it’s very difficult to master
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March 16th, 2008 at 9:59 am
hi Jemila,
Thanks for the welcome.
Well, I’m studying in Czech. I spent a year at language school learning Czech. It was fun being with all these different people from different places.
No, Czech is not easy but it does get better with time.
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March 18th, 2008 at 8:51 am
Welcome to tckid, Anayawa!
” I like hanging out with my other foreign friends because with them I know I’m not supposed to fit in, I can just act me.”
Me too! That’s one of the biggest reasons why I love multicultural groups - I’m live in Vancouver, Canada and it’s very diverse. Where in Canada did you live?
Here’s your picture welcome
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March 19th, 2008 at 6:08 am
Hi Brice,
Thanks for the welcome picture. My family and I lived in Windsor, Ontario. Then we moved to Ottawa, Ont. Canada.
Vancouver sounds so far! I like multicultural groups. Prague is OK but Paris is more cosmopolitan and I would feel more comfortable there (now to learn French).
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March 19th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
ana! welcome! one zambia one nation! hooray, another southern african!
anyway, ya, that whole “real african” thing is bullshit. i get SO annoyed when i get that “you are not a real african” because of my accent or my taste in music or the way i dress. i have lived in 4 different african countries! hello!
before i get on my soapbox…welcome again. see you in the chatroom!
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March 20th, 2008 at 11:08 am
Thanks for the welcome. My sister may join this site too.I have 2 little sisters and 2 little brothers. My sisters and I are TCK.
Which 4 African countries did you live in?
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