Well, I have been in the village for sometime now for my grandpa's burial. It has not been easy at all. It has really been hectic for me and my family but like, why wouldn't it when grandpa decided to marry seven wives, have nineteen children and fifty-three grandchildren. It's really frustrating and there are quarrels here and there but it's not something we can't resolve.
Anyways, I believe the height of difficulty for me is identifying the good villagers from bad ones. My mum made a clear warning to me on the way to the village to not eat or drink from any village person or even let anyone hug me due to witchcraft. But at the same time, anytime she sees someone she'll rush over and greet the person so well and later on she'll tell me the person is a witch and I should stay clear. Like how am I supposed to stay clear when you've given the person a warm welcome and the person would be feeling free.
Just the other day, I was walking to my grandfather's compound with my burial cloth of him on. It was the burial day and the party was in full course. I was a little bit late and was just on my way when I saw this old woman. I was just a block away from the compound when she stopped me to ask me if I was a grandchild. I said yes and continued my journey only for her to stop me again and asked if I was going for the burial.
"No ma, I'm going for morning devotion."
I didn't even know when that comment came out of my mouth. I thought I was saying it inside my mind because, Nigerians and stupid questions. Just when I was about to apologize, the old woman just smiled and went back to her compound. I was so scared of what was to happen so I quickly ran to my destination.
On getting there, I saw different delicacies being prepared by village women and I was so sad I wouldn't be able to taste any. I even saw this nice looking dried fish.
Image by me
I was chilling and just listening to the music when I saw the old woman from before again. My mum ran to her and greeted her so well, even my dad. And just when I was about to run inside, my mum called me to say hello. I greeted her and she then offered me food. That was when I noticed the basket she had in her hands.
I thanked God she did not mention what happened earlier and I collected the basket. My mum was giving me eye signals but the woman immediately got a plate and spoon and dished the food out for me. Jollof and fried rice with delicious looking fried plantain. I started salivating because since I got to the village, I had been eating only fufu in my grandmother's place.
Image by me
I knew my mum wouldn't let me eat and this woman was just so persistent. She was telling me to eat.
"Eat now, my pickin, shey you dey fear ni"
Ah, those words alone made me so scared I didn't know what to do so I just decided to excuse myself to the toilet. I told the woman I wanted to visit the toilet and I spent four hours there until she left. I promised myself to never be alone in the village again.
All images used are my properties