Chapter Four

 

It was early dawn, the first dawn actually and the grove was coming awake as the rest of the village slept. Two days back, the town crier had gone around advising residents to stay away from their farms as the concluding rites for the king was being completed. This was the rite in which he received the ‘ASHE’ from Princess Numen as the chief priestess of the town. Known and accepted as the guardian of the town, she was to give her final approval. The airegbe hill glinted in the distance as the crouching figure of a lion could clearly be seen at its top. The palace had been festooned with a myriad of colors of local cloth and palm fronds. Hundreds of kegs of fresh palm wine filled the reception halls of the palace.

Today was the significant day and the chiefs moved silently in twos and threes and dressed in white native cloth to the foot of the hill. The village maidens had already left the night before and had entertained the villagers with songs at the foot of the grove. Princess Numen had retired to the inner recesses of the grove some three days earlier.

It was a double celebration as Numen was marrying her mate. Her family members had spent the previous night entertaining guests while the young girls had been given special hairdos, their faces traced with intricate patterns. Ife’s aunty had been awed by the turn out of young men who had to pretend to come knocking at their door pleading for their requests to be accepted over that of the king. It was hilarious really as they made all types of accusations claiming they had a better offer. Then there was the long procession of the chiefs as they came to the small clearing that had been prepared. Ife missed her father as it would have been him who should receive the chiefs; her intending mother in law stood in the crowd. She had come over the previous day, breaking with tradition to help her family cook the several varieties of food. Pounded yam in mounds were all over the place. Kegs upon kegs of palm wine.

Ife, who watched from her father’s room, thought she caught a glimpse of Adejare and Lucas somewhere amongst the entourage of the chiefs who had come to plead on the king’s behalf. Then came the beautiful music of the young girls as they sang and the gifts the chiefs dropped. It was a different type of marriage and she learned it was not a common sight. Tinu had informed her that most traditional kings tended to come to the throne of their forefathers already married and most times with a daughter who would have been crowned the same day as the crown princess.

However her town was unique as they only had a Lion as the protector if for any reason the king should pass on without an heir. After a lot of prayers and displays by the hunters and the young girls, Ife came into their midst dressed in a flowing white shimmering dress and handed over to Babamogba a bracelet of white cowries that was the exact copy of the one Babatunde had found in his room so many years back when he was chosen.

Ife smiled a lot but said very little. At the peak of the festivities, two white pigeons were presented by her family to the chiefs for the king. They also sent a piece of white cloth, this was to be returned to the family after Ife had spent her first formal night in the palace—a confirmation that Ife came to him a virgin. The concluding rites were to be completed the next day.

There was a sense of excitement and pomp in the air. This rite was important and the whole town knew the double aspect of it. A seemingly unknown lineage had surfaced. As if that was not enough, the Lion of the town was going to marry the guardian of the town. Some of the significance of the event had slipped into the city so there were media men sniffing around. They had met a stonewall of friendly silence when they tried to talk to the chief priest Babamogba; the king had not been available for comments as he was said to be in seclusion preparing his mind to receive the ‘ASHE’ from the Princess. It was intriguing and romantic as well.

So this morning, the grove was crowded with more than the usual villagers. Those who came were shocked and entranced by the grove. The villagers were also surprised as banks of all shades of flowers and plants covered the grove in white painted pots. There were flowers everywhere. Pots of water were kept at different points to the foot of the hill and the maidens stood with flower woven into their braids. It was a sight to behold. Some of the girls sat in groups and gave traditional blessing to anyone who approached them. They also gave out white kolanuts or water in scrubbed calabash bowls. There was an air of expectancy and people sensed that this was going to be much different from what they expected. Yeye stood at the end of the grove dressed in white native cloth and free of the traditional head-tie. Her braids were covered in so many white cowrie shells and white beads that she could not possibly have been able to put on a headgear anyway. She had white beads on her wrists and her eyes glowed. She held a calabash bowl of water in her hands ready to sprinkle the chiefs.

In the distance, a long trumpet sounded heralding the coming of the Lion. The crowds gave a cheer as they parted to see the chiefs all dressed in white and their wrappers tied on their left shoulders as they came in single file into the clearing that was prepared for them.

The young maidens who had been seated in circles stood up and formed an outer ring around the chiefs, carrying calabash bowls of water and singing.

Everybody watched and soon enough there was a roar and the king came on his golden brown horse with the pelt of a lion on his shoulder. Without warning, out of a clear dawn, came a flash of lightning and the rumble of thunder. The clearing was still. In a soft voice Babamogba started an incantation, giving praise to the dawn of life and expectation. He recounted the journey of the people and how they had always received guidance and help. He told of the troubles they had with the wolf-men and how they were protected by the lion, and ended his soft but long recitation with the discovery of the lost prince.

The sky rumbled again and the Sango worshippers suddenly came out of nowhere into the clearing and gave obeisance to the king as well as the hunters. As the dancers cleared a lone figure was seen at the very top of the hill. There was a white pigeon on her shoulder… and something else.

Babamogba dropped to one knee just as the king dismounted, who also knelt. Everybody knew it was going to be the critical moment. The king raised his hands and asked for blessings for his people, prosperity, and peace. Babamogba also prayed and raised his hands, starting a long song, with the other chiefs interjecting and certain members of the villagers nodding and praying too. Then he was still. Babamogba suddenly circled the king who remained kneeling. He circled seven times. He came to a stop in front of the bowed silent king.

There was a sudden shower of cold water all around and bright flashes of light, then a loud roar as a drenched king held aloft for all to see a white beaded buffalo horn and the sixteen-holed crown in white.

The crowd erupted in jubilation as the king remounted his horse, holding firmly to the horn as Babamogba placed the crown on his head. “He will not put the crown on his head again until he celebrates this day every year. He will be required to come to the grove every year wearing that crown as the symbol of his acceptance and authority.”

He bowed very low, one fist raised high as he gave the cry, “Kaaabiyesi!!!!”

The king’s own trumpeters went into a frenzied drumming and trumpeting as the crowd cheered and saluted the king.

The rest of the day, and continuing as dawn finally peeped behind a golden sun, was spent in merriment. Princess Numen descended from the grove at dusk and went quietly into the grove. The marriage was now complete alongside the blessing and her giving the king his ASHE.

Ife was touched and surprised to find Babatunde’s mother sitting quietly in the grove when she emerged into the main reception area. She had come with a basket of fruits and a simple dinner for Ife. There was no need for further talk. The two women embraced and Babatunde’s mother helped Ife to take her things into their home. She formally welcomed her daughter-in-law home as she washed Ife’s legs at the threshold.

Just before midnight, in keeping with their own tradition, Babatunde with a full retinue of chiefs and staff, stood at the entrance to the palace, formally opened the gates for the Princess and guardian of the town to take up residence.

 ~~~

 

Two weeks later Ife returned to work in the capital city.

It was a full clinic session and Ife wondered if there was some reason why the whole female population seemed to have gotten pregnant and were attending ante-natal.

She felt suddenly stressed as she listened to one woman after the other. Ife had to check her wandering thoughts knowing she was not concentrating. Officially she was now the Olori of her town and was required to be in the palace, but she had insisted she wanted to work at the hospital. Babatunde had simply nodded and asked her to take a few days rest, then she could resume.

Ife assumed her distracting thoughts were the effects of all that she had just gone through and the constant interruption to her normal schedule. The pretty lady that kept coughing brought her to the present and she smiled an apology.

She paid more attention and was soon immersed with work. Hours later, Ife sat back and sighed as she reviewed the case notes of the women in the maternity ward.

Matron came into view and Ife had a genuine smile of welcome for the motherly lady. Matron had surprised her when she turned up at her wedding in the village. She stood up but Matron quickly prevented her from the curtsey she was about to give.

“You are a queen now, my dear, and must uphold our tradition you know. I understand that you are a very respectful child but I have to concede your rights to you now.”

“Yes Matron but I want to be simply Ife to you.”

“That would not work, you know.” Matron smiled as she dragged in a chair and sat down.

Ife said, “You could easily send for me if you wanted something.”

“Yes, I know, I wanted an excuse to stretch my legs.”

“Or a chance to catch the nurses slacking, right?” Ife teased.

They both laughed.

“So you are settling in properly in the palace?”

Ife smiled. “I guess so since I am hardly there—in the palace proper—as most times I…

(her voice trailed off as the form of Matron faded and she faced Raingirl)

Ife blinked and Raingirl curtsied with a mischievous smile. “I have been permitted to come to you once in a while, Princess.”

Ife stared at Raingirl. “I should have been suspicious as Matron never walks anywhere in the hospital if she can help it…interesting, do you have something for me?”

Raingirl nodded. “My replacement should come into your service at the grove. She is now ready but there are some people who are thinking otherwise. She is to be admitted into the grove for a time before she goes to the secondary school they have arranged for her. You will find her interesting, Princess, and you should send for her.”

“I see. How will I know who she is; does she have a name?”

Of course she has a name,” Raingirl snapped, showing elements of her old life as Grandma, but she didn’t reply as there was a knock on the door and she faded away.

It was Josephine at the door. Ife invited her in, hoping she had not seen anything, and waited. Josephine looked around with a puzzled expression on her face.

Ife asked, “You have seen a ghost?”

“Er…no but I thought I saw Chinedu walk towards the office and I was so shocked to see him here that I followed him.”

Ife started laughing helplessly, and when she finally could control her mirth she asked Josephine how she was expected to recognize Chinedu if she had never met the man in question.

Both were quiet and a tense Josephine sat in front of Ife with a very worried look in her eyes.

“What would the fellow be doing here?” Ife asked after a while.

“My mother sent me a message that Chinedu was planning something and might visit me here,” Josephine said quietly.

“Hmm, and every male that crosses the lawn or hallway is a potential Chinedu. You are losing your mind this way,” Ife commented.

“I think he is infecting my dreams and I think he has gone to a bad dibia man to torment me.”

“Erg, Josephine, calm down and make sense will you?”

“I am having bad dreams and hardly ever sleep these days.”

Ife sighed. “Okay, do you feel guilty about him on anything?”

Josephine shook her head slowly. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Okay, why will this fellow go to a medicine man to do bad juju—after all he has a wife and was just stringing you along. He is probably looking for protection from your anger,” Ife concluded, wrinkling her nose.

 “He is going to lose face that is the problem. He has spent money, he claims, and was looking forward to having a graduate for a wife,” Josephine said, and her voice broke. Ife saw she was very close to tears.

“Look, you have to tell me everything from the start, you know. I am quite confused as it is. Did your parents make a deal with him? Are you in some way committed to this man?”

Josephine took a deep breath. “As for me, I did not make any deal; I understood later from my father that he had gone to ask Chinedu for the odd favor and that was when the loose arrangement started. Papa said it was like some joke, you know, and it was not really serious but Chinedu got into the habit of calling him in law and…”

Ife groaned. “I get the picture. One thing leads to another and your father always forgot to mention it to you that he had married you off so he could buy snuff.”

Josephine broke down in tears and sobbed. Ife stood up and fetched water from the bathroom so she could bathe her swollen face. Josephine, between hiccups, explained she ran away from home and came to the South West so she could get away from the promise of a silly father, fell in love with Babatunde, and ran back to the East only to find her problems still waiting for her.

There was silence for a while and Ife asked her friend that they should go to her apartment, have a shower, and have dinner.

“You know, we need to be very calm about this. First thing though, take him out of your mind and stop imagining the man in every shadow. You will be a nervous wreck the way you are going on about this. For goodness sake he would not be the first man that will be left high and dry. It is disgusting that in this century a man will attempt such an underhanded way to get a wife. I don’t think your father is about to march you to the altar under a gun now, do you?”

Josephine sighed as she stood up and joined Ife on the walk back to the apartment. Just as they were about to enter, they heard a car toot and Yomi climbed out of the car. Josephine gasped and ran into his arms just as a young man detached himself from the shadows. Josephine screamed and fainted.

~~~

 

Hours later, a calmer Josephine was tucked into the couch in Ife’s quarters, a cup of tea in her hands, Yomi was watching her closely as well as Ife.

“Do you feel better now?” Ife asked

Josephine nodded but kept her eyes away from Yomi.

“I am sure you will like to know that we are talking to Chinedu and he has promised not to look for you again but he requests to have a chat with you. I have offered to be at the discussion. From what he has said, he meant you no harm; just wanted some answers from you. I think that is fair. He wanted to marry you because your father offered you in lieu of money your father borrowed. You didn’t know about that, did you?”

Tears formed in Josephine’s eyes again. “I learnt about it from my father when I finished school. He had borrowed heavily and did not have the stomach to let me know.” Josephine finished in a very bitter voice.

Yomi, who had been watching her silently, leant forward giving her an intense look. “I want to have an honest answer: do you want to marry this fellow?”

Josephine turned her eyes away as she muttered that no one should feel obligated to help her out of her predicament. “In fact I will like to thank you for all your concern but I think you can allow me to make my own decisions from now on.”

Yomi was angry and there was a determined set to his jaw. “I am sorry young lady, but you are not about to dispose of me like that. First thing we are going to your village tomorrow and I am having a talk with your father. I want a full account of whatever he has committed you to.”

Josephine flew off the couch and stared at him just as angry. “I don’t think you have any right to order me around, you know.”

Yomi dragged her into his arms and held her tightly as he ground out the words, “I am not letting you go, Joe, and I am going to marry you. I am not sure if I should drag you to the registry first and tell your father about the marriage later. I understand I am expected to ask your father for your hand in marriage but I am not sure I can wait that long.”

Josephine stared at him, nonplussed by his words. “You idiot, a man proposes to his bride in private.”

Ife dissolved into laughter while Josephine made ineffectual attempts to throw punches at Yomi, who dodged the blows and finally grinned.

“I suppose I should congratulate you both,” Ife said, still chuckling.

“He is cheating me out of a romantic dinner and candles,” Josephine complained, but she smiled at him.

“Will you need the dinner or the engagement ring now; we can sort out the traditional details later. I want Chinedu or whoever to know you are not available, okay? I will do my best to make you happy.”

Ife asked in surprise, “You mean you have the engagement ring right here?”

For an answer, Yomi dropped on one knee, fished in his pocket, and brought out a beautiful ring, which he presented to Josephine. In wonderment, Josephine took the ring and stared at it and burst into tears as Yomi slipped it onto her finger. Ife clapped in amusement. Ife rushed into her bedroom emerging with glasses and a bottle of water. Amidst laughter, she claimed she didn’t have wine but they should make do with nature’s wine and all three laughed and drank. However, Yomi still had one trick up his sleeve as he dashed to his car outside and came in minutes later with a bottle of wine. The rest of the evening passed in a less dramatic manner. Ife shooed them out and told Josephine to be back before midnight.