Chosen
Chiamaka Eze@chiamakaeze425179
11 months ago
The rich greens of swaying leaves reflected radiant rays of the sun which breathed a new dawn on the Mbiamunyi people of Alor-Agu—a hinterland in the south-eastern region of Nigeria.
The sandy plains of streets vibrated in acceptance of rushed footsteps mingled with the powerful pounds of numerous igba by hefty men.
Ecstacy surged through everyone as the pleasant melody of multiple oja joined in properly introducing the commencement of the long awaited Aja ceremony—a ceremony to invoke the spirit ‘Aja’ in the most suitable host and persuade it to dig out charms planted to harm an indigene.
“Uka, keekwanu? Where are you off to?” a voice, so syrupy it could lure you into a trance, trilled in question.
The robust stature of a little girl stopped mid run, spraying dust with the tip of her flowery sandals. She turned to the direction of the voice which had spoken, her glistening black braids swaying with all the colourful beads that clung to them.
“I want to go to Chibu's house. I can already hear the drums. I want us to start going,” she responded in a delicate lilt.
“Nne eh, be careful there. When you find Chibu, stay somewhere I will easily find the both of you. Inugo?” the syrupy voice stressed.
“O mummy, I'll stay one place that you'll see me fast fast,” the little girl said, beaming behind her chubby palm.
“Ngwanu go.” Without hesitation she flew with the crisp harmattan wind to the bustling road only stopping in front of the door to a house that stood across the road.
Her stubby fingers knocked on the hard, delicately patterned wooden door as she stooped for breath.
“Chibu?” she called out a little breathless when there was no response. “Chibututu!” she shouted, as her widened palm smacked the door.
In confusion, she stood away from the door. Uka rounded the house in slow, short strides, stretching her neck out in search of any form of life. She was too distracted to notice the boy closing in on her, hands outstretched.
“Boo!” he said as he pounced on her, tickling her sides and earning squeals mixed with laughter. She wiggled free from his grasp, panting as she tried to calm herself down.
“Why did you scare me now, Chibu?” she asked amidst giggles. “You're looking fine o!” she continued without waiting for a reply.
“Thank you. My mother sewed it yesterday. If you see how she was just sweating on the machine eh …” he trailed off with a wide grin pasted on his face.
“It's even true, where's everybody? Where's Chimuanya?” Uka asked, the remnants of previous giggles evaporated into the ecstatic atmosphere.
“Oh! My sister has already gone. She's with everyone in the square,” Chibu replied.
“Ngwa, let's not waste time. Let's go!” Uka shrilled, dragging him along in a sprint.
“Your gown is also fine,” Chibu said amidst wheezing as they skidded to a stop at the town's square.
Uka, immersed in the events unfolding in front, lost contact with Chibu that it took his yell of “Uka!” to jerk her out of her reverie.
“Come,” he said, “let us sit down.”
“Mummy said I should sit where she will find me fast fast,” she chirped while they moved hand in hand through the excited crowd.
“Don't worry, she'll see us from here,” Chibu assured as they marched forward.
They climbed a bench, waving to a few friends that ran around in colourful abada attires, then returned their attention to the show in front, all while rocking their feet that hung from the bench.
Up front was a vibrant display of plastic food thermoses that held steaming food. Trays of healthy garden eggs complemented by the warm browns of ose oji that peeked through their transparent containers, decorated the plain white laces on the table tops. Delicious aroma wafted through the air and trickled down throats present, spiking their enthusiastic grooving to the energetic beats of the igba intertwined with the melodic float of oja.
Women scuttled around to welcome men who arrived in galore like a swarm of bees.
Some were clad in animal skin whereas others donned lion head patterned shirts and trousers of different shades of brown and black. The wooden staff carved so intricately with figures sticking out from their grasp bore their weights as they slowly moved their stooping figures to the chairs set apart to face the crowd. The red and brown beads that hung from their necks danced against their chests, complementing the blood red caps atop their heads and the bracelets that clung to their wrists.
Uka stretched her neck from her position on the bench to take every part of them in but saw nothing past their knees as the crowd hollered and whistled with raised hands.
The pounds on the igba became more powerful, vibrating the souls of everyone and in came a group of people with teeth bared in wide smiles. Their uniform skimpy abada skirts fluttered as they jumped and danced to the rhythm of the beats, leading a huge part of the crowd to follow in their steps.
“They are the Ikorodo dancers,” Chibu whispered to Uka, making her startle.
A whistle was blown leading every sound into nonexistence and everyone settled on a bench, some willfully sat on the sandy road, baffling Uka as they did.
The foreign silence that fell upon them was broken with the clear of a throat by a man with a red cap on from the separate table. He stood and spoke in a language Uka wasn't versed in. Her confusion materialised as she asked Chibu, “What is he saying?” in a whisper.
She didn't get a reply as Chibu stared intently at the man's every movement.
“He was just blessing the food,” Chibu's response came with the sudden background laughter as the man lowered himself, grinning widely.
The beats from the igba resumed and Uka jumped off the bench, her body swayed to its rhythm. Chibu joined her, gaining chuckles from others.
In the midst of the crowd's babble fuelled by the background music, a man jumped out from the crowd, staggering to the beats that began to increase in tempo.
He swayed like he was not in control of his nervous system and people cheered on to the performance.
“What is happening?” Uka asked, eyes widened to the spectacle and teeth a gaping sight to beheld.
“He's the perfect host for Aja,” Chibu replied with a beam.
Men in abada attires rushed out to retain him in a kneeling position.
The red-capped man from before made his way to a keg, a little calabash in hand. The silky white of palm wine swirled in the calabash as he tipped the keg against the calabash until he levelled the keg on the ground.
He went to the kneeling man, drank the palm wine and spat it into his eyes signalling hefty men to drag him away.
Upon their disappearance, delicacies upon delicacies got served and lively chatter enshrouded the atmosphere.
The sun began to sink into the clouds turning the sky a pale orange just in time to avoid the hollers and whistles that filled the square as the men from before made a show of their presence.
The man who had knelt stood , agile and alert, now wrapped in palm fronds. His eyes focused unmoving on something behind which Uka was tempted to check out but couldn't see.
Around him, men circled like vultures with smoking clay pots.
Without a warning, the man wrapped in palm fronds dashed out of the town's square.
“Give me your hand,” Chibu told Uka.
The crowd, musicians included, cheered and raced after the man in palm fronds and with fingers laced together, Chibu led Uka through the crowd.
The man's nose twitched as he led them out of the square and into a compound.
Like a dog that sniffed out the scent of a hidden bone, he circled a spot on the ground. He dug the ground with bare hands, unearthing a parcel of red satin. He gained cheers and a few people danced joyously.
Uka giggled and looked at Chibu to share her joy but was met with her mother's grin.
“Is it time to go?” she asked, smile unwavered.
“Yes nwa, it is.” Her mother stretched her hand towards Uka and she took it.
Waving to Chibu, they made their way back home. With the receding hum of the crowd behind them, Uka played out the events of the day in her head, her smile widening further.
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𝐼𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑒𝑛𝑗𝑜𝑦𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑝𝑖𝑒𝑐𝑒 𝑑𝑜𝑛'𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑎 ♥️ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠' 𝑠𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛.
11 months ago
11 months ago
