JAPA SYNDROME IN AFRICAN NARRATIVES: CAUTIONARY LESSONS FROM UNIGWE’S ON BLACK SISTERS’ STREET AND HELON HABILA’S TRAVELLERS

Abstract

In recent years, there has been an uncontrolled increase in the number of Africans seeking greener pastures abroad. This is closely linked to the social and political quagmire bedeviling the continent, with the youth being the most affected. Most migration intentions are driven by push factors such as unemployment, insecurity, and political persecution, alongside pull factors like better opportunities in Europe and America. The aim of this essay is to evaluate the unbridled proclivity of Africans toward migrating to Europe, using Unigwe’s On Black Sisters’ Street and Habila’s Travellers as case studies. The paper argues that although there are cogent push factors compelling Africans to migrate, a cautionary voice is necessary, as inhumane and unforeseen challenges often await them. These include exploitative job opportunities, modern slavery, prostitution, racism, imprisonment, death, and the problem of liminality during sea border crossings—especially through Libya to Europe. The research adopts a descriptive content analysis methodology and is anchored on Homi Bhabha’s post-colonial theory and Everett Lee’s push-pull migratory theory as its theoretical frameworks. Post-colonial theory offers a trenchant lens for interpreting the "othering" of African migrants by host communities, while Lee’s theory elucidates the push and pull dynamics behind the rising tide of African migration to Europe. Drawing from the harrowing experiences of characters in both texts, this research concludes that although some of the horrific scenes may represent extreme cases of failed migration, they serve as cautionary tales. Would-be migrants—and Africans at large—must learn from these narratives and reflect critically, recognizing that life in Europe is not always as rosy as imagined.