SOMUANYIRO - Chapter 4

In my state of oblivion I could hear the sound of my wife’s voice. I woke up and hastily ran outside my hut to find out what was going on. I suspect she must have been sleepwalking. She does that a lot and sometimes gets into trouble with Echidime and her children.

Sometimes during these sleepwalking episodes, she is in a trance like state, oblivious to everything around her. When she returns to consciousness she would claim she had been to the future or the past. She tells absurd tales that rarely come to pass, though I always take her seriously, or so I claim.

As soon as I got outside I ran to Echidime’s hut. I found her and her older son Ubaka arguing with my wife.

“Ubaka, ngwa stop that!” I screamed at him. “Now find your way into your mother’s hut.”

“Nnanyi its Chielo that started it,” my wife made an attempt to slap him, his mother came to his defence and pushed Chielo.

“Afu go num, I have seen.” I spoke up “Echii so this is how you teach your children to treat their Chielo, you don’t even show any respect for my presence.”

“My brother that is not true, my children are respectful.” She said. “It is your wife who has issues with us.” She turned to her son, “Ubaka, ngwa, do what your uncle said, go inside quickly, osiso, and apologise for your disrespect”

The boy grumbled and walked away, no one heard his apologies.

I offered Chielo my hand and helped her up. “Nne ndo o, sorry my dear.”  I said.

“As for you Echii, I never want a repeat of this incidence. You know very well that she has issues with sleeping, why do you always pick a fight about it.”

“My brother this time she came to me oo, my sons and I were sleeping when she suddenly came in and started accusing me of causing the down fall of your household by bringing an evil woman into the family.” She pointed at Chielo, “Ask her, she will tell you.”

I turned to my wife, “Nne, explain yourself. Has Echi said the truth? Did you go asking for trouble?”

 “Dim, my husband” she falls to her knees. My sister starts laughing

“Kunye oto nwany” I said, “Stand up woman.” She ignored me and continued kneeling.

“I can't say if she spoke the truth or not. I do not even remember walking into her hut or accusing her as she said I did. The first thing I remember was when Ubaka poured water on me. Then they started screaming and accusing me of saying things. Dim, Ubaka has no respect for me. He poured water on me and talked back at me while his mother watched and applauded. If you had not come out, am sure they would have beaten me to a pulp.”

I turned to my sister, “Echi, tell Ubaka to see me first thing tomorrow as soon as I get done with my morning routine.” She nodded. “As for you, I have warned you several times, when you disrespect my wife, you do the same to me. If you are tired of living in my household you can move in with any other member of our umunna. Or better still go back to your husband’s house. If Chielo comes to you in her sleep again, come quickly and call me, do not engage her in a fight. I will not tolerate any more of these. I nugo, have u heard?”

“A nugo mu, I have heard” she responded. “May I go inside?” she asked.” I want to get some more sleep. Ego and I are going to the nkwozo early morning market at first light.”

I replied “You may go and do sleep well, Chielo will not disturb your sleep anymore.” She smiled and walked away. I turned to my wife, who by now was seating on the ground and looking sober. “Chielo Kunye oto.” I said. She stood up on her own.

“Ezi dim, my good husband, I am very sorry. I don’t know how to control this thing. This time around I don’t even know what happened or where I have been to. Please forgive me.” She pleaded.

“Walk with me” I said. She followed me and we walked to my hut, got in and sat down. “I want to believe you this time Chielo, but it is hard.” I looked at her; she was hugging herself and trying not to cry. “What Echidime said makes me think that you are jealous. I know you do not want me to marry another woman, and neither do I, but you don’t have to go into Echii’s hut and fight her. I have explained to you that she’s only looking out for my interest.”

“Dim, I understand but I am not jealous. Why will I want to hinder your progress? I know how your status will increase in the society if you marry the Ekufelem girl. My husband, if what she said is true, then we should be wary, she may have your interest at heart but the result will turn out bad.”

“Nne I know, trust me. I don’t want to marry another wife. Imagine the way she and Echi will gang up against you and the children.”

“Dim, that’s not even the problem. I fear that this may turn out worse than what we see. Your sister is troublesome even when she does not mean to be.”

I nodded. Chielo is right; I should be careful and make adequate consultations before making any decision. I robbed her back, as I spoke.

“Nne you need to go to bed now and get some sleep, so the children don’t look for you in case they wake up.”  She nodded in response. “I will look into the matter, and you have to promise me one thing.”

“Anything you want me to, my husband, I promise to do my best.”

“Fine, then you must try to control our sleeping problem. These fights must not happen again. You hear me?” she nodded. “Good, now go get some sleep. You will be the first to know when I have made my decision about marrying a new wife. I nu go? Don’t worry yourself about it anymore.”

After Chielo’s departure, it was difficult for me to go back to sleep. My head was full of thoughts. If I don’t marry this girl I will lose face in the society. Echidime had already gone ahead with the umunna to put a word out for me. I don’t know what to do with my sister, and I honestly don’t want this marriage, though I need it for societal recognition and advancement.

What would my father have me do?  He would have said “Why attempt a fight the gods have already won for me?” But how does that help me in this situation. He made me understand that the gods are always working in my favour. So no matter what happens or what decision I take, I know I will be victorious.

I have the chi of two people after all, I have nothing to fear. If my luck fails me, the other one won’t, it’s been there all along, unused. “Why attempt a fight the gods have already won for me?” 

I know what to do. I must visit the Osu dibia at first light. I have to find out what the gods have in store for me concerning this issue.

SOMUANYIRO - CHAPTER 3

A few weeks after my little sister Echdime was born, my father had series of meetings with our umunna. On the last meeting day I was called in. I clearly remember my mother’s unhappy face when Ugorji, my father’s brother came to take me away from her unu.

As I walked into the obi where they were gathered, I could feel their stares piecing my skin. For a short moment I got scared. I must have done something wrong to be called to the meeting. Maybe they found out that I have been eating the food meant for my Chi every morning.

Looking at my father, I see the pride in his eyes. This restored my confidence, I know I have done nothing wrong and no one knows my secret yet. I have a brilliant smile plastered on my face as I go around greeting the umunna, with the customary side hugs. After this I sat beside my father and he put his right arm around me.

Ibeakwuzie, my father’s cousin, stood up to address us, though his little speech was clearly for my benefit.

 “We have all heard what Olujubem has said, and we have also deliberated on the issue. After some fact findings and consultations, we have agreed to wholly support our brother to any extent. As it is, Uzolue our ezemmuo has set a date for the ritual.”

His speech went on and on, listing the materials needed for the rituals and what each person was to contribute in show of support.

I could feel fear creeping up my body again, but when I looked up to my father, I found reassurance. Then I heard Ibeakwuzie mention my name.

“Olujubem and his daughter will go into the forests of our ancestors with Uzolue and stay there with him for four market days, until the gods accept the sacrifice. The rest of us will be waiting in the village, to celebrate and kill the sacrificial cow when you emerge successfully.”

This whole ritual and sacrifice talk was beginning to overwhelm me, so I had to speak up in my own defense.

“But Nnanyi” I drown my fears and interrupt him. “No one asked me if this is what I want for myself.”

As a woman and a young child I had no right speaking in this gathering; my presence alone was a mere privilege, so i was surprised when i got smiles and nods of approval rather than a serious caution. My father seized this moment to speak in pride. 

“You can all see the reason why I made my decision.” He looked around the obi for approval. “She is sharp and never afraid. As young as she is, she knows when to speak for herself and make decisions. These are qualities every man wants for a son, I too deserve to have one. While I wait for the gods to bless me with more children, I am proud to make her the first of all my sons and with the help of the gods this will come to pass.”

Unfortunately my father never had more sons; neither did he have more children. I went through with the rituals and became my father’s son. I was made a man in the eyes of the society, which means I could no longer play the roles of a woman. I can never bear children of my own; marry a man, cook meals, or dress like a woman.

I accepted these conditions and so much more because my father said so, and I must make him proud no matter what. He and I are kindred spirits; therefore I was unable to refuse him anything.

When I became his son, I became his confidant. I got to know the deepest secrets that burdened him. I found out that for so many reasons I owe him my life, he gave up so much for me. How hard could it be for me to make him proud even beyond his imaginations? After all my life is peculiar.

Growing up, this burden my father passed on to me has not stopped me from living my mark in the society, though I am a threat to some of the foundations of our beliefs and the secret surrounding my bath is a sacrilege in itself. So far I have never divulged it to another.

As far as I know, other than me, only three others know this secret; my parents and our newly departed ezemmuo Uzolue, and they are all dead. I plan to die and be buried with it. “Onye kwelu chi ya ekwelu, my god approves whatever I approve.”