Essay: Olaudah Equiano's Attachment to the European Culture

As people we are a product of our environment. Our manners, actions, and beliefs stem from our upbringing. What we learn and gather from our parents, surroundings and community is all we know. When someone is introduced to a world completely unknown and severely different from their own, they enter a state of culture shock. This was the case for the enslaved Equiano, who lived through a harsh realization of culture shock. He would not forever be in terror and would grow accustomed to his new atmosphere.

Equiano, a native Igbo from Africa, becomes a European at heart, through religion, and through actions after overcoming his fears that were first instilled after his kidnapping and enslavement, through learning of the culture, language, and befriending fellow Europeans.

Equiano went through a cultural transformation that took shape through several different ways both in his self identity and his actions. Before his kidnapping all Equiano knew was based around his Igbo culture. He was happy with his family and said nothing of being unhappy or wanting a change from the Igbo tribe. As far as we knew he was a completely satisfied African. He soon was forced into the New World by his captors, which were Europeans. Although his early experiences were tough and cruel to comprehend, he soon comes to an enjoyment of the European culture. Equiano through teachings of his masters learned the English language and was persuaded to be baptized and became a Christian. He also starts to style his hair and fancy nice clothing. Miss Guerins in particular guided his development into a Christian and put him through school. It is in part her kindness that comforts Equiano and makes him feel "home", even as a slave.

The transformation of Equiano into a European occurred after several years in Europe. He had previously been terrified by the uncertainties of this new world, constant owners, and harassment he had faced. As he grew comfortable, he looked upon himself with a new identity. "From the various scenes I beheld on ship-board, I soon grew stranger to terror of every kind, and was, in that respect at least, almost an Englishman". This, after three years of enslavement, was the first time Equiano mentioned feeling any part European, in this case "almost an Englishman". He continued to grow fonder of the culture and the people he encountered. It seemed as though he idolized the very people who had taken him captive and caused undue hardship upon him. This excerpt from page 83 of the Narrative shows his feelings about the Europeans:

"I now not only felt myself quite easy with these new countrymen, but relished their society and manners. I no longer looked upon them as spirits, but as men superior to us; and therefore I had the stronger desire to resemble them; to imbide their spirit, and imitate their manners".

The choices that Equiano made and underwent that led to him feeling like a European tell us that a man is shaped by his surroundings. After being beaten and taken away from his family and beloved sister, he still managed to associate himself with the very people who did this to him. The love of the sea, the new friends he made who were also his masters, contributed to his feelings and new found love for the new world.

Equiano, a native Igbo from Africa, becomes a European at heart after overcoming his fears that were first instilled after his kidnapping and enslavement, through learning of the culture, language, and befriending fellow Europeans. Although Equiano had spent 11 years of his life as an Igbo in Africa, he spent the rest of his life as a European and adapted to his surroundings. Equiano has several European owners who treat him well and more as a son than as a slave. Due to this friendship Equiano feels as though he is a European. Equiano also learns how to read, write, style his hair, all of which were customs of the Western Civilization and not of his native culture. Equiano overcomes the culture shock and abuse by many people from the New World, to become a true European.

Source:
Equiano, Olaudah. The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano. Union-Street. Mary-Le-Bone. 1789