Area Scatter
{{Short description|Cross-dressing artist from Nigeria}}
{{unreliable sources|date=September 2023}}
Uzoma Odimara, popularly known as Area Scatter,{{Cite web |last=Iwalaiye |first=Temi |date=2022-08-02 |title=The long history of cross-dressing in Nigeria |url=https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/beauty-health/the-long-history-of-cross-dressing-in-nigeria/hty1p4b |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=Pulse Nigeria |language=en}} was a cross-dressing performer who gained popularity in the post-Nigerian Civil War era of the 1970s in Imo State, Eastern Nigeria.{{Cite web |last=Agwu |first=Victoria |date=June 1, 2022 |title=Area Scatter: Nigerian Queer Icon |url=https://reclaimed.jusnet.co.uk/2022/06/01/area-scatter-nigerian-queer-icon/ |website=RECLAIMED}}{{cite web |url=https://therustintimes.com/2024/02/06/spotlight-area-scatter/ |title=Spotlight: Area Scatter |last=Cole |first=Timinepre |date=February 6, 2024 |website=The Rustin Times |access-date=June 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206191448/https://therustintimes.com/2024/02/06/spotlight-area-scatter/ |archive-date=February 6, 2024}}
Early life
Area Scatter was born in Imo State, South East Nigeria; but the date of birth is unknown, as little is known about Area Scatter's early life.
Career
Scatter was reportedly a civil servant during the years of the Nigerian Civil War. Towards the end of the civil war, she disappeared into the woods and the reasons for her disappearance remain very elusive thus, adding an aura of intrigue to her narrative.{{Cite journal |last=Okeke |first=N.C |date=1975 |title=The Enigma of Area Scatter: A Musical Odyssey |journal=Imo Journal of Cultural Studies |pages=45–60}}
After seven months and seven days secluded within Nigeria's vast and shrouded landscape, Scatter returned, renamed Area Scatter, and transformed into a woman. Some believe that through Scatter's seclusion, Scatter had experienced a spiritual transformation. Often, Scatter would wear long white gowns and her home feature various bones and skulls that represented good and evil. She rose to fame in the late 1970s for her unconventional and daring approach to entertainment. She was known for her flamboyant style as she would braid her hair, wear makeup, and fabrics while walking around in heels, and playing music in the homes of the upper class and the politically important.{{Cite web |date=November 19, 2020 |title=Adichie, Akwaeke and Area Scatter |url=https://thenationonlineng.net/adichie-akwaeke-and-area-scatter/ |website=The Nation}} She was also known for the thumb piano, beautiful voice, and charismatic presence.{{Cite book |last1=Marre |first1=Jeremy |last2=Charlton |first2=Hannah |date=1985 |title=Beats of the heart: popular music of the world |publisher=Pantheon Books |isbn=978-0-394-74258-8 |location=New York}}{{Cite book |title=Reclaiming Afrikan: queer perspectives on sexual and gender identities |date=2014 |publisher=Modjaj Books |isbn=978-1-920590-49-9 |editor-last=Matebeni |editor-first=Zethu |location=Athlone, South Africa}} In one of the few videos that exist of Area Scatter singing, she sings about a man who suffers because he is smaller than everyone else, but then one day, at the market, her meets another man who is smaller than him, and becomes elated to discover that someone is smaller than him.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aINO9p8e6d4 |title=AREA SCATTER: Nigeria's First Publicly Known Crossdresser |date=2022-09-07 |last=NostalgicSoundTV |access-date=2025-05-27 |via=YouTube}}
As an entertainer, Area Scatter performed as a cross-dresser, actor, comedian, and performer.{{Cite web |last=Adene |first=Gift |date=2020-03-16 |title=Bobrisky who? Meet Area scatter the first cross dresser in Imo state (Photos) |url=https://www.kemifilani.ng/life-style/bobrisky-who-meet-area-scatter-the-first-cross-dresser-in-imo-state-photos |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=Kemi Filani News |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/naija-fashion/684741-meet-area-scatter-nigerias-first-publicly-known-crossdresser.html |title=Meet 'Area Scatter' Nigeria's first publicly-known crossdresser |date=April 9, 2024 |website=Premium Times |access-date=June 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409163020/https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/naija-fashion/684741-meet-area-scatter-nigerias-first-publicly-known-crossdresser.html |archive-date=April 9, 2024}}{{Cite web |title=Before Bobrisky: Meet Nigeria's first crossdresser of the 1970s |website=Pulse Nigeria |url=https://www.pulse.ng/articles/lifestyle/first-crossdresser-in-nigeria-2025051911413916930 |access-date=2025-06-09 |language=en}}
Through her art, Area Scatter aimed to raise awareness and promote tolerance for gender diversity, using her talent as a platform to challenge societal norms.{{Cite web |author=Chuxlouis |date=2017-08-09 |title=THE CURIOUS CASE OF AREA SCATTER {was Area Scatter Nigeria's first ever known transvestite and celebrity cross-dresser ??} |url=https://steemit.com/life/@chuxlouis/the-curious-case-of-area-scatter-was-area-scatter-nigeria-s-first-ever-known-transvestite-and-celebrity-cross-dresser |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=Steemit |language=en}}{{unreliable source|date=December 2023}}
Personal life
After her mysterious disappearance, she re-emerged from seclusion as a woman, boldly claiming that the gods had bestowed supernatural powers upon her.{{Cite web |last=Yaakugh |first=Kumashe |date=2020-03-16 |title=Bobrisky's mummy G.O - Nigerians react to video of country's first cross-dresser |url=https://www.legit.ng/1311649-nigerians-react-video-nigerias-cross-dresser-area-scatter.html |access-date=2023-11-28 |website=Legit.ng - Nigeria news. |language=en}}{{Cite journal |last=Okoro |first=A. I. |date=1982 |title=Gender and Identity in Nigerian Music: The Area Scatter Phenomenon |journal=Journal of African Musicology |volume=15 |issue=4 |pages=120–135}}
Little is known about what happened to Area Scatter or where she is today. Some believe that she died in a car accident, though little public information is available.
References
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Scatter, Area}}
Category:Year of birth missing
Category:20th-century Nigerian actors
Category:20th-century Nigerian LGBTQ people
Category:20th-century Nigerian musicians
Category:Actors from Imo State
Category:Musicians from Imo State
Category:Nigerian LGBTQ entertainers