Tunmise Adebowale's Layers of Identity

Tunmise Adebowale's Layers of Identity

By Ōtepoti He Puna Auaha | Dunedin UNESCO City Of Literature | Posted: Monday Apr 28, 2025

Ōtepoti Dunedin’s creative rangatahi explore their whakapapa through powerful stories of their identity, culture, and belonging through poetry and essays on ‘Layers of Identity’.

PODCAST bit.ly/LayersOfIdentityTunmise

"I've accepted that I am Nigerian, I am South African - in some ways, and I am a New Zealander. I used to think whakapapa can only mean one thing. You can belong to several places, all at once"


Tunmise, a Nigerian-New Zealander studying at the University of Otago, grew up in South Africa She shares her poem 'Pancakes, Teddy Bears' which reflects on her experiences of moving to New Zealand from South Africa and leaving her childhood behind.

Join the next phase of Layers of Identity bit.ly/EOILayersOfIdentity

Layers of Identity airs Saturdays 12.30pm and Fridays 3.30pm

Proudly supported by Dunedin City Council Arts Grant, Dunedin Public Libraries, Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature and NZ On Air