Photo credit Samuel Black.
The ‘Home from Home’ project aims to explore the legacies of pioneering British Nigerians in the UK and their impact on society. The project highlights and celebrates British Nigerian contributions to the cultural, political, educational, artistic, spiritual, and sporting life of Britain and London, in particular. In this interview we feature Funlola Olufunwa.
Who is Funlola?
I am an actor, writer and acting teacher.
What does “Home From Home” mean to you?
Home from Home means living authentically wherever I am. If I can’t be my authentic self, which includes having access to aspects of my (Nigerian) culture and heritage, then it is going to be harder to make myself ‘at home’.
How do you celebrate your Nigerian heritage?
This can take forms as small as patronising a Nigerian business to moves like creating characters that reflect the Nigerian in me. I did this with ‘Widow’ in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of ‘All’s Well that Ends Well’ in 2022.
What does being “British Nigerian” mean to you?
Being British Nigerian means having two cultural mindsets – specifically, Yoruba and British. For example, I wouldn’t kneel to greet a non-Yoruba elderly person as they could think that to be a little weird!
How do you stay connected to your identity?
I stay connected to my identity in mostly passive ways, such as through hair and food. I get to watch a lot of Nollywood when I visit my barber for example! However, I was more intentional by initiating learning Yoruba a few years ago and would like to take up lessons again and go further with the language. I no longer want to be told to ‘stop murdering Yoruba!’
What does culture mean to you?
Culture is a lot of things – it involves traditions, customs, art, history, language…I believe that culture is the heartbeat of a nation.
What do you imagine the future of the British Nigerian Community to look like in the next few years based on your industry?
I am not sure as the industry is always changing: since the pandemic, some are not working as much as they were and, streaming has influenced content and how artistes are paid. But what is great is that a lot more British Nigerians are entering the industry, generally speaking (my parents were supportive probably because I was their last-born!). So, with show business being more of a consideration for British Nigerians, there will likely be more of us acting, directing, writing and becoming decision-makers too in the next few years.
Links to website/Social Media:
Web: https://www.funlolaolufunwa.com/
IG: @the_actoress
Watch Funlola bring a video game character to life:
