Summary

Chapter 3 begins with Ifemelu still at the braiding shop. Mariama goes to pick up food and while she is gone Aisha calls her boyfriend Chijioke who says he will come to meet Ifemelu. Ifemelu protests and Aisha says she must speak Igbo to Chijioke, but then questions whether or not Ifemelu still knows Igbo, which offends Ifemelu.

The storyline then shifts the past and focuses on Ifemelu’s upbringing in Nigeria. Her mother’s hair is very beautiful and a point of pride, but when Ifemelu is 10 years old her mother cuts it all off saying that she’s been saved and the family will now begin attending a new church. After that, Ifemelu’s mother is a different woman who no longer laughs or sings. Ifemelu’s mother is very religious and prays for The General who she refers to as...