Traditional rules

ONE

It was early morning, the young and old carried their earthen water pot down to the stream as they passed through the narrow roads leading to the stream getting the grasses that nosed their way out. Ekemma, a slim, dark-complexioned girl, with a height that was appealing, hurriedly went down the stream, filters it and filled her water pot.

"Can you believe that this is her fourth time of coming to the stream this morning? Indeed she is a child", the first elderly woman jeered. "Mgbeudo is lucky to have her as her daughter, I wish I have such a daughter, at least I will be at rest for works", the second woman offered. "We are becoming workaholic, even when our children are there. Don't you know, children of these days are like eggs that will break if they over worked". Ekemma walked passed them with greetings. "Nne, ndewo! Ndewoo", they chorused with smiles, gasped and converted to another topic.

Nze Obika dressed in his Chieftaincy attire, walking towards Nze's house, he passed through bushes and nearby farms he stopped by, watched and muttered to himself and continued his walk, he approached and knocked, Nze, from within, answered "Onye"? "It is I, Nze Obika.

Nze was cleaning his teeth with chewing stick, he cleaned his tongue twice and rinsed it before placing it on his left ear and bended inside. "Nze", he exclaimed, "welcome". They exchanged greetings, he sat down with him for a while, cracking gags before he stood up to ask; "Nze: I know too well that palm wine will serve much better to this cool morning". Haha, he laughed, "exactly".

Nze entered inside, coming out with a keg of palm wine, placing it on a table in front of Nze Obika, Nze Obika removed the palm fronds and poured as much as he could drink, he sipped a bit and smiled, observing the palm wine thoroughly. "Real palm wine", he commented, "not those mixtures sold in the market". "Yes", Nze cut in, "it was specially made by Agbara as a gift to me". "No wonder it tastes different, you know Agbara is the only man in Amueke that knows how to tap palm wine without tapping dead the palm wine tree". He nearly licked the cup before dropping it and cleared his throat. before I drink and forget, the reason of my coming, the elders have meeting today at the Ogbako as usual". "When did the elders hold a meeting without me being present?" he asked, pondering. "Have you forgotten so soon, that you were intoxicated that you could not even find your way home", Nze sighed. "It almost getting late, soon the meeting will begin". "So soon? Wait for me in a brief moment". "Do not hesitate; I don't want to be left out in any discussion". "There is still much time left", Nze said and dashed into his hut.

The elders and titled men sat in a semi-circle, waiting. This was an important meeting for an initial issue needed to be deliberated on. Everyone was on set, excluding Nze and Obika. At last, they appeared, they looked sorry and apologized, the meeting began. Oboh stood up, addressing the elders who were speechless.

"When the moon is shining, the cripple becomes hungry for a walk, other villages have done their Iru Mgbede Festival, will our own be different?" he asked. "The King should have a say on this matter, we can no longer wait till his son decides to choose a wife from the festival or not. In this case, we, the Elders will decide for him". "Yes!" they nodded in agreement, "we can no longer be patient, the festival must hold". Ottah retorted, "Then, what are we waiting for? Lets match to the palace, the king should have an answer to all this talks".

At the palace, the king was seated on his throne, behind him stood his two attendants. Dimgba and Ekwe, the elders, strode in implosively and sat down in their positions, he stared in anticipation and uttered; "your faces looks serious, what could be the problem?" "We are not happy", Oboh spoke with a tiny voice, corded with despair. "We have not heard from you, concerning the festival". "I am short of words", the king replied, "he has refused to participate in the festival, so I need not to proceed when he is not yet ready". "Then, he should be persuaded to participate in the festival, because this is a festival which has been holding even in our youth, I believe it won't change in this era", Nze pointed. "Give me few more days to talk him out", he ad-libbed and grinned to the serious faces. They greeted and left muttering to one another.

"I am sad; my son's happiness is at stake, what can I do? Nothing", said the King, dejected. "Your Highness, stop all this soft talk, your son's happiness is in no trouble, besides, tradition can breed more happiness", Dimgba pointed. "But, your Highness ,weather the prince get married from the festival or not, it means nothing because tradition demands that he must be married and it did not demand that it must be from the festival, the tradition is not neglected if he marries outside the festival", Ekwe suggested. "You speak well, Ekwe". "No, your Highness", Dimgba disagreed, "it is not a simple matter in practice. Remember, it is against our tradition for the prince to marry outside the festival, it is a sacrilege". "I think you are right", he pondered. "It is the truth Dimgba. Certainly, they do it in Achi and Ika and they see it as no sacrilege because they do not allow the tyranny of ignorance and superstition to go under the cloak of tradition". Ekwe explained. "It is our ancient practice, what would happen if you were allowed to change our ancient practices as we like? For us, tradition is not a passing thing, it is the earth on which we live and the air which we breathe, it is what makes us different from any other village. If we do not respect tradition, how can our village stand? How can we be proud of our forefathers and pass on our pride to our children? Therefore, there is no way we can break the traditional rules". "I insist, your Highness, you must let the young man be inspite of all these tradition and ancient practices, let us look into the future and forget the past, tradition is not made by spirits, it is made by man, man makes the law that even the spirit obeys. Man also breaks the law, when it is found unsuitable for the present situation", Ekwe convinced the more. "I do not think so", Dimgba interrupted, relentlessly. "I do not see how all these matters, tradition is tradition and it cannot be changed. Your Highness, do not listen to this law breaker", he abated. He looks at the King, who was trembling with confusion. "You must compose your Royal self, your Highness, do not over worry yourself with those monologue.

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.

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!"