Chapter 2 THE FESTIVAL

TWO

The Iru Mgbede festival was almost near, the clans were busy getting themselves ready, especially the girls going as far as they could, getting the best Uli design, jigida and brocade materials for it was a special occasion all needed to look in their best.

The Ikoro sounded to the hearing of everyone, all came out from their various hut, dancing meritoriously to the unknown rhythm.

Nwanyimma, who had dozed off woke up by the sound of loud applause in the village, she awoke Nwoye, her son, drawing his attention to the clapping of hands in the distance, the drummers came making the night a most remarkable one in Amueke.

They lit up the lamp that had gone out and joined the queue the drummers seemed to hold the whole place together in the expanse of peacefully melody. Deep moving notes filled the cool night air, igbojionu's happiness knows no boundary, he entered inside and brought out his Dane gun, he gave out two shots into the air, the people shrieked with joy, the unheld celebration started, old and young struck up a tune and danced to the rhythm.

Around the wide square, seats had been arranged, forming a semi-circle with palm fronds adoring the shades, at the corner, stood the drummers with their big gongs and drums, beating with competitive ambition.

"Amueke, kwenu!" The King salutes.

"Yaa!"

"Kwenu!"

"Yaa!"

"Nuo Nu!"

"Yaa!" they shrieked.

Nze stood up and gave an oratory that attracted an ovation, they can feel the serenity and euphoric the festival has brought along with as they danced to the beat of the drum. Agbara came in with a keg of palm wine on his head, accompanied by Igbojionu, dancing regeadly realising several gunshots.

The drums died down, a sound was heard like the striking of a gong, gently, the drums echoed again, a new tune was produced, atilogwu dancers showed up, dancing profusely, stepping form side to side as the beat indicated, then the beat quickened and steps grew faster, the entertainment lasted for minutes.

The maidens, who were to be chosen by the prince, came out in their best looks and attire, the audience agog, watching everything consecutively as the prince examined them disdainfully. It was obvious that none of them impressed him, he reluctantly chose one, the audience jeered, the drums refreshed again, the tempo was rising steadily and went up to frenzy. Some jumped into the arena and took their turns in dancing, at that moment the prince took a shufti of Ekenma.

Nwoye and Ekenma are congenial; their liking for each other is a bond that began from childhood, the night does make them lively and happy, the girls can stay a whole night without being queried and feeling claustrophobic, during moonlight play everyone comes with a purpose, the lovers it is always a chance to whisper sweetness out of their hearts and those whose hands are still empty looking for someone. Oro ro, oro, came a sweet voice from within, Ekenma join the game, a girl echoed.

before the moon would peep out from its resting place accompanied by the stars and the sky metamorphosed to scarlet, the village children had already gathered at his compound waiting patiently for him to finish his night meal, they fondly called him nnanyi Eme, he was the oldest man in Amueke.

Under the moonlight, they sat in circle, clasping one another as if they were afraid of the night with the big mango tree forming a shade. He lit his hurricane lamp and allowed the darkness to creep a little further under the push of the dim light. His eloquent voice pierced through the chilly night, he tells his tale and his whole face tells it with him as the flickering fire danced next to their feet, he beamed with happiness whenever he saw smiles under the dim light as it spreadst along the corners of their faces.

At the back of Mazi Ochia's compound behind the threshold of his wife hut, at a corner was a heap of firewood three big stones set adjacent to each other, a log of fire was smouldering, Ekenma reached for a few sticks of firewood stacked in the corner set them carefully on the fire she was notorious for her late cooking. Anosike her brother, a small boy of ten, sat on the small mud-seat watching her with maximum attention. Ekenma stirred the soup on the fire and tasted it by running her tongue on the back of the ladle. As Ekenma blew the fire, Anosike picked up the ladle from the wooden bowl where it lay and attempted to lick it dry. Ekenma looked up and quickly snatched it from him. "Hold yourself together, you are not a woman" she remarked. Anosike made a horrible frown, hissed and went inside her mother's hut. Nwoye's great whistling pierced through the chilly night he sang and whistled blissfully as he was heading to a place.

Ekenma turned only to see him at her back standing erect like a warrior on duty, and smiling boldly revealing his upper teeth. Ekenma shuddered; you gave me a fright. "sorry" he apologised. Ekenma looked around fiercely, dragging him to a corner;

You must leave now, she mumbled

But I have just come

You must leave immediately my father is around.

Forget your father, he won't see us don't worry, he smiled, Ekenma stared at him with an uncomfortable look, to be honest with you, I don't have the words to make you feel better, but I do have the arms to give you a hug and I have a heart that is aching to see you smile again. She radiated with smiles and turned away; See, without me seeing you for a day will look like I have not seen you for a week and I don't think you felt the same way...

She asked shyly "who told you? My heart tells me so

I don't have much time to argue with you, turning playfully she teased I have told you to go and marry and stop flattering. It only remains one moon to complete my hut then I shall come and pay your bride price. He embraced her tenderly. Sometimes I just wish to be lost in you and in your tenderness and rejoice to be drown to the sea of your affection and float in bliss listening to your voice. I want you to know how much you really mean to me, I can't describe it in words because it is too strong of a feeling, truly you have blinded me. They heard a sound like the cracking of a door suddenly she breaked away from his embrace and listened;

You must go before my father sees you

Don't worry, your father knows me, he won't do anything

My father is not an easy man to deal with.

Mazi Ochia came out with his snuff box, he squint to Ekenma's direction and took a glance of Nwoye.

"Who is that bloke", he demanded in anger, no response came, he asked again this time his voice was full of anger. Ekenma stared at Nwoye who was fidgeting and has freezed with fear.

My daughter, who would not listen. This man may be of bad luck to you, he is only a hunter who could not boast of anything, perhaps, you cannot only feed on bush meat if he eventually marries you. Nwoye lolled his head flirtatiously, he felt humiliated the insult which Mazi Ochia poured on him was excruciating, and Nwoye recalled how Mazi Ochia had pleaded him to assist Ekenma in farming they will work till evening. This, Mazi Ochia did not consider, he is nothing but a swine, he thought and swayed away gently he always felt a stab whenever he remembered the insults he received from him, Ekenma was emphatic; she often glared at her father, who felt no sign of remorse.