The thoughts of how to cope with living in a village swirled relentlessly in my mind as the motorcycle carried me towards my Primary Place of Assignment (PPA).
Earlier, before leaving for my PPA, I had called a fellow corps member who had arrived before me for directions. “When you reach Jesse Junction, tell the motorcyclist you're heading to Ajavwini, then instruct him to take you to the town hall or Corpers' Lodge,” she described.
The journey to the village began on a long, tarred road that stretched out before me like an endless ribbon. Time seemed to slow down as the motorcycle traveled along its winding path, the scenery blurring together in a haze of green.
Just when I thought the journey would never end, a brick signboard finally came into view, welcoming me to 'Ajavwini/Ugbevwe'.
It's been over four months of serving in Ajahgbavah, and I've been surviving well, thanks to adaptation.
As I've settled in, I've learnt that Ajahgbavah is a collective name for the two villages, Ajavwini and Ugbevwe. According to the locals, the villages are distinct, although I struggle to see the reason for their separation, given their shared route, lack of clear boundaries, and intertwined layout. However, the locals know best.
I've discovered that there are three public schools in Ajahgbavah: Ajavwini Primary School in Ajavwini, and Ugbevwe Primary School and Ugbevwe Secondary School in Ugbevwe.
Ugbevwe is home to a public hospital that provides essential medical services to the local community. One of the key services offered by the hospital is prenatal care, which is particularly beneficial for expectant mothers. Pregnant women from the surrounding areas regularly visit the hospital for their routine prenatal check-ups.
The Urhobo language is predominantly spoken among the locals, followed by pidgin English, although to a lesser extent. English, however, is rarely spoken. In fact, not all locals understand pidgin, let alone English.
Meanwhile, the path that connects Ugbevwe and Ajavwini is a breath of fresh air. Its smooth surface is a pleasant surprise, especially compared to the rough, potholed roads that are common in rural areas. This road is different - it's well-maintained, flat, and even. As you drive along, you'll notice the calm and peaceful atmosphere. It's rarely plied, so you won't hear the constant noise of cars honking or tires screeching.
Every four days, the market day is held at Ajavwini. Ajahgbavah Market is relatively small and not well-stocked. You won't find everything you'd typically expect at a standard market. Vendors mainly sell farm produce, ingredients, and other essentials for traditional local dishes.
The main items sold are starch, palm oil seeds, plantains, and garri (cassava flakes). Buyers often travel long distances to purchase these goods. Notably, women dominate the market, handling both buying and selling. In fact, I've never seen a man engage in any market transactions.
Similarly, every two market days, the men of the community gather at the Ugbevwe town hall for meetings. During these gatherings, they discuss ongoing issues and make collective decisions. Notably, women are absent from these meetings.
At night, the major road is illuminated by streetlights, erected at regular intervals. The village's main junction, a T-junction, is particularly lively in the evenings. Locals, especially children and youth, gather here to play, relax, or socialize. The air is often filled with loud music from portable speakers carried by individuals.
Christianity and African Traditional Religion are the two predominant faiths practiced in Ajahgbavah. The village is home to numerous Christian denominations, some are not widely recognized outside the village.
Additionally, traditional shrines are scattered throughout the village, with some households even having their own mini shrines built on their properties.
These shrines are openly visible, often surrounded by red and white cloth, and adorned with offerings such as bottles of Fanta and alcohol.
The locals mainly cultivate plantain, banana, cassava, and oil palm. Plantain is particularly widespread, echoing the MTN motto “everywhere you go”, as it can be found growing in nearly every household's surroundings.
Starch paired with Banga Soup is a staple dish in the village, and the locals never seem to tire of it. Additionally, starch can also be enjoyed with other soups like Egusi soup.
Moreover, firewood is the primary cooking fuel in most village households, due to its abundance and affordability. Cooking is typically done in outdoor sheds, which provide a safe and well-ventilated space for food preparation.
These sheds are often built using locally-sourced materials, such as sticks, palm fronds, and sometimes roofing sheets, which offer protection from the elements.
The locals are warm and hospitable, affectionately addressing us as “Corper, Corper”. In return, we show respect to the elderly by responding with “Migwo”— which roughly translates to “greetings”.