Chapter 3 A NEW TURN

THREE

After several advances and flattering the prince made towards Ekenma, the only thing he succeed in, was getting her name but not her attention, with this he felt a little bit happy and believed with time he would soon get her attention.

He sat under the coconuts tree at the back of his hut, from there, he could see people running helter skelter doing their daily routines, he nodded in satisfaction. Ola, his half sister, after searching for him in the whole compound, finally saw him. She stealthily walked up to him and croon.

"What are you smiling at?" He didn't turn around; he knew the melodious voice was no other than Ola's voice he kept quite for a while before replying with contrary word . "Our people are hardworking". Ola sat beside him, benignly. He clasped his hands to hers, "I need no one to tell me that I admired her a lot", he said, dreamily. "I know you would find a wife from the festival", said Ola, wearily. "Yes, but not from those ladies". "Then, where else?" She asked surprisingly. Who else, if not Ada", she added. 'it is not her''.' This is a taboo'' she interrupted and sprang up forcefully. "Leave that aside, it is not taboo for me, as long as no pride price have been paid". It is still a taboo, who has heard such...don't be too solicitous certainly they do it in Achi and Ika". This is neither Achi nor Ika, this is Amueke and we are different". You are worse than other villages". "It is our tradition that demands so". "Oh, why can't your tradition be changed for me, Achi and Ika are simple villages with no problems unlike ours". "The king will not like this talk – no, he won't, I know he is an old man but what he has known about life!" But he has more experience; his experience is that of an illusive vision whirling people back to 20BC". The king must hear this", she concluded rudely.

The king walked up and down in his chamber, he was in a state of agitation with his two attendants, wearing a worried look. The prince stared in anticipation, he was a bit frightened. "What taboo have you said with your mouth", the king asked angrily. "I did no taboo, I only participated in the festival and did as I was told just to fulfil the traditional demand", he defiantly said. "You must be mad, yes, you are", he bellowed. "Do you know the implications? In this matter, tradition or custom should stay aside". "Shut your mouth", he rasped. "What do you know about tradition, tradition as you say is indeed a sword, but it is not a sword that destroys, it is a sword that protects us from the roads of dangerous ideas. Therefore, you must abide by the tradition". "Nevertheless, your Highness, I implore you, tradition or no tradition; she is not yet my wife". "Your tongue is bad, leave before you attract the anger of the gods. A lizard can be caught by hands yet it is found in king's palaces". "Your Highness, we need not to be calm in this matter, we need to ascertain the reason why he acted like this before things start falling apart, Dimgba spoke "Exactly".

That afternoon, the steaming heat of the sun thrashed Oboh with the hostile energies of its intensity and gave him a hot chase to Nze Obika's house. The village was pacified like the grave yard; few clans had gone to their farms.

"Where are your sons", Oboh queried. Immediately, he entered into Nze Obika's compound. "They are off to the farm". "Your sons are so strong that they could kill a lion with their bare hands", he plaudit. "I seriously need their assistance in my farm land, I promise to pay them five cowries each". Nze Obika pondered and replied no problem", "Why not allow them to join the village warriors", he smiled and said. "My sons are my everything and I cannot afford to treasure them for anything in this earth, there is only one life to live". "Says who?" "The Methodist Missionaries", he replied sharply. "I once attended their meeting and I learnt a lot of things from them even to write and read like those white men we often see at the village outskirt". "I do not believe those missionaries, why will they say, we are still in darkness" "I can't explain that".

Nze and Ottah entered, they greeted and were offered a seat. "I overheard you both, discussing about the missionaries". "Yes", they chorused. Oboh said, confused, "but here in our village, we see clearly in the day time and it is only at night that we do not see vividly without our hurricane lamp". "Well, may be, we are somehow, living in darkness because those missionaries sometimes behave like they are gods and I have no doubt that they possess some magical powers", Nze offered. "How did you know", they all enquired. "I have seen them several times doing it, especially them, bringing out the exact copy of you". "Do you know one funny thing about those missionaries", said Ottah, choking in laughter. "They are fond of speaking through the nose", they laughed. Nze Obika tried to talk between fits of laughter. "These people are everywhere, if not that I am a title holder, I would have joined them, but as a traditional man and a title holder, I should not engage in things that will besmear the memory of our forefathers". "Do you know that the king has vowed never to allow missionaries to establish fully in this land?"He is being encouraged by Dimgba, his attendant to burn down their shrine and drive them away from this village,. Said nze "Let's see how far they will go with their saga and fallacy, outdated tradition", Nze Obika sneered. "Not all are outdated" – Oboh remarked. "Ottah interrupted, "can't he feel the serenity that those missionaries had brought along with them in this land, ever since they came into the land few days ago, things had been a bit easy for us and that is a sign of a rising in the sun for us". "Exactly!" they shouted and smiled widely. "Now that our eyes are little opened and we are enlightened, let's move a motion of action to eradicate few of our traditions and join the fast moving train", Obika suggested. "Yes!" "And we shall no longer be hundred miles behind the world", Nze Obika added.

He brought out a palm wine, everyone poured as much as they can drink, Nze poured a drop of the wine on the ground. "Our ancestors and forefathers this is your share". Ottah added, "Keep evil away from us". "Grant us our wishes", said Nze Obika. "Protect our land as you have been doing, keep our crops fruitful", Oboh snapped at last. "Iseee!"