Chief Edet tapped the container of snuff with his right thumb starring at Okon with a stern look, his eyes darkened out of anger. “My son you are blabbing, we have not heard anything” Chief Edet yelled.
Take the list given to you by Chief Okuko and return after four market days with the requirements, and then we will talk.
Okon left Ikot Ndueeh with a heavy heart. What have I gotten myself into? He kept asking himself.
The distance between Ikot Ndue and Anueki was just a stone throw, but Okon walked through the paths lost in his thoughts. He took a decision to sell his only land close to the akam hill to raise some money.
The day of the Marriage was set.
The entire village gathered at Chief Asam’s compound to witness a one of a kind traditional marriage.
Music drinks and food kept some people merry, while others were worried and lost in heated debate.
Okon held Alice.
He looked at her lifeless body, she was made to sit close to him and tears welled up in his sunken eyes.
He remembered how loving and understanding she was. A beautiful, lively and jovial lady.
Okon could still hear the voice of the Traditional birth attendant, when she screamed in agony and he ran into the hut to see his son John wrapped in the hands of the Mma Maternity the traditional birth attendant and Alice corpse on the mat. She had bleed to death due to prolong labour.
Esther, a village maiden tapped Itiat and said “this serves him right, why should he keep someone’s daughter without paying her bride price? Let him dance to the music. Look at his face, he is crying”
Shut up! Itiat interrupted, what do you know? You are just jealous because Okon left you for Alice.
Listen to me “I will never marry” if the family refuse to bury their daughter I will bury her myself.
When dusk fell and the crowd had retired to their different homes. Chief Edet Called Okon out. When they got to the palm tree by the pathway leading to the entrance of Chief Asam’s compound.
Chief Edet said “this is Chief Edem,Chief Akan, and Chief Ibat. We have heard that our daughter is dead “tell us; what are your plans? Okon out of exhaustion slumped.
Written by: Aniekan Ukpabio.
What are your thoughts, on marrying the dead as practiced by.......?
Comments