BRIDE PRICE AND THE ENIGMA OF MBAISE... Written by KEMKA S. IBEJI
A certain man from Mbaise once had a daughter called Uloaku. He cherished his daughter that he could do anything to make sure she doesn't lacks the basics of life.
Nna anyị Akondu was however not strong in his finances. He barely could afford so much as to keep his family fed. He struggled hard to be sure he could, at least, provide for the pride of his household.
When he decided that Uloaku must go to the university, it was to all around him a chase for the impossible and a cutthroat decision.
However, Nna anyị Akondu received the blisters of his choice but could tell the story of his success alive.
Uloaku indeed graduated top of the class and retained the honor of her father Nna anyị Akondu.
No sooner than she graduated from the university, a young gentleman came to ask her hand in marriage. Already, the young man was fed replete by the story of the exorbitant price of brides in Mbaise. He nevertheless could exchange anything to have Uloaku as, for him, she was everything he needed.
As tradition demanded, they made request for the "list of death" as many will prefer to call it. Nna anyị Akondu sent them the list of Ụmụnna (Village Men) and Ụmụ ndom (the Women) but expunged from the list, his own and that of his wife but boldly wrote in that space "to be mentioned at the negotiation table".
That novel addition caused some surprises as many expected the worst. The story went wild and wide and the rumors carried the rest. The mother of Uloaku, though a bit worried, was always by the side of her husband who she believes knows what best to do at any point.
On the day of the arrival of the groom and his kinsmen, Nna anyị Akondu went to his farm and got the best of the produce and made all things good to welcome his visitors. He was however not looking very bright in his look.
When the would be in-laws finally came, he served them everything well while keeping straight face. It was time for bride price payment and the negotiation.
The traditional negotiators took the stage and dealt on their expertise with Nna anyị Akondu visibly urging his in-laws to as much as they can but be ready for him as he has a shock for all. This stirred the milieu with rapt silence woven into sore suspense.
And finally, it was the turn to deal on Nna anyị Akondu's mention as he tagged it.
He asked the young man a few questions thus;
Are you ready to marry my daughter? This caused some uproar as both the visitors and his kinsmen chorused the readiness of the intending husband having done to their admiration on their list. The young man very humbly said "yes Sir".
Again, Nna anyị Akondu asked Eziuche, do you think you can marry Uloaku? Can you take care of me and my wife? Can you pay for our list?
To all the questions, Eziuche answered "yes Sir".
Then Nna anyị Akondu brought out a clean paper from his pocket, wrote a figure on it, folded the paper and asked Eziuche to come and receive it. When Eziuche opened the paper, it read "Thirty Million Naira and one more thing".
Reading this to his parents and crew, the stage was inflamed and almost resulted in a physical battle. While the people of Alike who came with Eziuche were so angry, the people of Ikenga were on the same anger frequency against their own - Nna anyị Akondu. The environment sincerely was against Nna anyị Akondu Who was clearly no worried at the war he has stirred.
A time came for a long silence as everyone looked up to Eziuche for his resolve. The atmosphere was tensed and no one expected otherwise. Yes, the marriage should be over by now and the blame is on Nna anyị Akondu who has placed all his problems on the bride price of his daughter. He seems to have heaped all he passed through in training Uloaku and tending his family on the innocent young man whose only sin is his love for Nna anyị Akondu's daughter. The parents of Eziuche have concluded that it is over but they are yet to decide how to take back what they have already given to the Ikenga men and women. Alike must hear this.
Suddenly, Eziuche summoned himself and stood to address the gathering. He cleared his voice in the usual character of one who has a script from the gods for humans. He began;
I must thank you my lovely mother, daddy and the great people of Alike for accompanying me here. I also thank you the people of Ikenga for your feelings and wish not to let us down. I thank you Nne Ugboaku the wonderful mother of Uloaku, who till this moment I have cherished and loved. Especially, I thank Nna anyị Akondu for all you did to train your daughter. It was not an easy task for you and I clearly understand that. But I will thank you more for the gift you gave me when you handed me your letter. I was frightened at first but got a little more strength when you wrote at the bottom, "not for sale and not a price tag". On this opportunity, I will plead to pay a half of the sum you offered me. I pray to write you a cheque in the same sum Sir. Thank you exceedingly Nna anyị Akondu. And he sat down.
The words of Eziuche threw the arena into dead silence. At this time, if any sand clicked against another, it will be loudly heard. For all present, Eziuche was the wisest of all men today but it would not have been so if he was not a rich gentleman. Of course, if he never had the money, he would not have any magic to perform. But Nna anyị Akondu was seen everything opposite to Eziuche. Perhaps, one would say Nna anyị Akondu lacked the wits of an elder. Others will blame the people of Mbaise despite the expression of the people of Ikenga.
When the silence was set to die, Nna anyị Akondu stood up and told Eziuche not to draw him any cheque but to come on the traditional wedding day with the full sum in cash. Guess the reaction once again. But to this, Eziuche agreed. Both the people of Alike and Ikenga dispersed for the day. The traditional wedding is in a fortnight. To this, our people say that a contract is signed with a nod.
And today is the traditional wedding. Everything is set and the guests trickled and filled. The occasion was called alive and all things proceeded in joy. On his arrival, Eziuche made sure he fulfilled his words. He handed the sum of Fifteen Million Naira to Nna anyị Akondu who received the money without a single smile.
As tradition spelt, Uloaku danced round a few times adorned in the gracious stripes of a bride sending greetings to both her new community and that of her father.
The special time finally came. The father handed her a cup filled with palmwine with which she will indicate her groom to her father. According to the culture of Mbaise land, any man who drinks from that cup is the husband. This is usually the climax of the traditional marriage rites.
Bearing the calabash cup in her grip and relishing the beautiful eulogies from the music men, she stepped out for the journey of life. Passing through multitude of able bodied and handsome men around who asked to drink from her cup, she made her way to the feet of her King. The smile from both faces lit up the audience and the sound was thunderstorm. Eziuche received the cup from her Queen with a charming look, sipped dry the cup, filled it to the brim with money and handed it to Uloaku who took him to the father.
While both knelt down before Nna anyị Akondu and her wife Nne Ugboaku who patched them with grace and blessings for everything good in marriage, Nna anyị Akondu beckoned on his wife to get into the house and bring him his reserved gift for their son-in-law and daughter.
When Nne Ugboaku returned, she brought a box well concealed and dropped it at the stool of her husband. Nna anyị Akondu began a form of blessing that was strange to both the people of Alika and Ikenga.
He opened the beautiful box and drew out the entire sum which Eziuche brought. It was Fifteen Million (15,000,000) Naira. He reached for the middle of the bundles and drew out just Five Hundred (500) Naira. He told Eziuche that the sum is for Akondu's family to drink tonight. He further explained that him alone will have a fair share of Two Hundred (200) Naira drink to himself while his wife, sons and daughters will have a Three Hundred (300) Naira drink.
Nna anyị Akondu told Eziuche that the drink was enough for them being a moderate family. He went ahead with the rest blessings.
Finally, he handed back the total sum minus the #500 to Eziuche and now continued;
My daughter Uloaku is well trained and she will grow your home for the better. But I am giving you this money today for the following purposes;
As you can see, she is healthy and not sick as I hand her over to you. If she gets sick tomorrow, take from this money and give her proper medication.
If she wants to further her education tomorrow, take from this money and send her to school.
If there is no food in your house, please don't keep her hungry, take from this money and give her food.
If she is pregnant and needs the best medical attention, please take from this money and give her adequate care.
If she needs a car to carry your children to school, church and other places as time may demand, take from this money and buy her a car.
If your family lacks anything you need to live happily, please take from this money and provide for your family.
I bless you and your family today and I bless the money in your hands as a seed planted to grow. Feel free to grow the money to keep your home happy.
Congratulations my dear son-in-law Eziuche.
At this point, the gathering erupted in jubilation and the scene faded.
I am
KEMKA S. IBEJI
Nna anyị Akondu was however not strong in his finances. He barely could afford so much as to keep his family fed. He struggled hard to be sure he could, at least, provide for the pride of his household.
When he decided that Uloaku must go to the university, it was to all around him a chase for the impossible and a cutthroat decision.
However, Nna anyị Akondu received the blisters of his choice but could tell the story of his success alive.
Uloaku indeed graduated top of the class and retained the honor of her father Nna anyị Akondu.
No sooner than she graduated from the university, a young gentleman came to ask her hand in marriage. Already, the young man was fed replete by the story of the exorbitant price of brides in Mbaise. He nevertheless could exchange anything to have Uloaku as, for him, she was everything he needed.
As tradition demanded, they made request for the "list of death" as many will prefer to call it. Nna anyị Akondu sent them the list of Ụmụnna (Village Men) and Ụmụ ndom (the Women) but expunged from the list, his own and that of his wife but boldly wrote in that space "to be mentioned at the negotiation table".
That novel addition caused some surprises as many expected the worst. The story went wild and wide and the rumors carried the rest. The mother of Uloaku, though a bit worried, was always by the side of her husband who she believes knows what best to do at any point.
On the day of the arrival of the groom and his kinsmen, Nna anyị Akondu went to his farm and got the best of the produce and made all things good to welcome his visitors. He was however not looking very bright in his look.
When the would be in-laws finally came, he served them everything well while keeping straight face. It was time for bride price payment and the negotiation.
The traditional negotiators took the stage and dealt on their expertise with Nna anyị Akondu visibly urging his in-laws to as much as they can but be ready for him as he has a shock for all. This stirred the milieu with rapt silence woven into sore suspense.
And finally, it was the turn to deal on Nna anyị Akondu's mention as he tagged it.
He asked the young man a few questions thus;
Are you ready to marry my daughter? This caused some uproar as both the visitors and his kinsmen chorused the readiness of the intending husband having done to their admiration on their list. The young man very humbly said "yes Sir".
Again, Nna anyị Akondu asked Eziuche, do you think you can marry Uloaku? Can you take care of me and my wife? Can you pay for our list?
To all the questions, Eziuche answered "yes Sir".
Then Nna anyị Akondu brought out a clean paper from his pocket, wrote a figure on it, folded the paper and asked Eziuche to come and receive it. When Eziuche opened the paper, it read "Thirty Million Naira and one more thing".
Reading this to his parents and crew, the stage was inflamed and almost resulted in a physical battle. While the people of Alike who came with Eziuche were so angry, the people of Ikenga were on the same anger frequency against their own - Nna anyị Akondu. The environment sincerely was against Nna anyị Akondu Who was clearly no worried at the war he has stirred.
A time came for a long silence as everyone looked up to Eziuche for his resolve. The atmosphere was tensed and no one expected otherwise. Yes, the marriage should be over by now and the blame is on Nna anyị Akondu who has placed all his problems on the bride price of his daughter. He seems to have heaped all he passed through in training Uloaku and tending his family on the innocent young man whose only sin is his love for Nna anyị Akondu's daughter. The parents of Eziuche have concluded that it is over but they are yet to decide how to take back what they have already given to the Ikenga men and women. Alike must hear this.
Suddenly, Eziuche summoned himself and stood to address the gathering. He cleared his voice in the usual character of one who has a script from the gods for humans. He began;
I must thank you my lovely mother, daddy and the great people of Alike for accompanying me here. I also thank you the people of Ikenga for your feelings and wish not to let us down. I thank you Nne Ugboaku the wonderful mother of Uloaku, who till this moment I have cherished and loved. Especially, I thank Nna anyị Akondu for all you did to train your daughter. It was not an easy task for you and I clearly understand that. But I will thank you more for the gift you gave me when you handed me your letter. I was frightened at first but got a little more strength when you wrote at the bottom, "not for sale and not a price tag". On this opportunity, I will plead to pay a half of the sum you offered me. I pray to write you a cheque in the same sum Sir. Thank you exceedingly Nna anyị Akondu. And he sat down.
The words of Eziuche threw the arena into dead silence. At this time, if any sand clicked against another, it will be loudly heard. For all present, Eziuche was the wisest of all men today but it would not have been so if he was not a rich gentleman. Of course, if he never had the money, he would not have any magic to perform. But Nna anyị Akondu was seen everything opposite to Eziuche. Perhaps, one would say Nna anyị Akondu lacked the wits of an elder. Others will blame the people of Mbaise despite the expression of the people of Ikenga.
When the silence was set to die, Nna anyị Akondu stood up and told Eziuche not to draw him any cheque but to come on the traditional wedding day with the full sum in cash. Guess the reaction once again. But to this, Eziuche agreed. Both the people of Alike and Ikenga dispersed for the day. The traditional wedding is in a fortnight. To this, our people say that a contract is signed with a nod.
And today is the traditional wedding. Everything is set and the guests trickled and filled. The occasion was called alive and all things proceeded in joy. On his arrival, Eziuche made sure he fulfilled his words. He handed the sum of Fifteen Million Naira to Nna anyị Akondu who received the money without a single smile.
As tradition spelt, Uloaku danced round a few times adorned in the gracious stripes of a bride sending greetings to both her new community and that of her father.
The special time finally came. The father handed her a cup filled with palmwine with which she will indicate her groom to her father. According to the culture of Mbaise land, any man who drinks from that cup is the husband. This is usually the climax of the traditional marriage rites.
Bearing the calabash cup in her grip and relishing the beautiful eulogies from the music men, she stepped out for the journey of life. Passing through multitude of able bodied and handsome men around who asked to drink from her cup, she made her way to the feet of her King. The smile from both faces lit up the audience and the sound was thunderstorm. Eziuche received the cup from her Queen with a charming look, sipped dry the cup, filled it to the brim with money and handed it to Uloaku who took him to the father.
While both knelt down before Nna anyị Akondu and her wife Nne Ugboaku who patched them with grace and blessings for everything good in marriage, Nna anyị Akondu beckoned on his wife to get into the house and bring him his reserved gift for their son-in-law and daughter.
When Nne Ugboaku returned, she brought a box well concealed and dropped it at the stool of her husband. Nna anyị Akondu began a form of blessing that was strange to both the people of Alika and Ikenga.
He opened the beautiful box and drew out the entire sum which Eziuche brought. It was Fifteen Million (15,000,000) Naira. He reached for the middle of the bundles and drew out just Five Hundred (500) Naira. He told Eziuche that the sum is for Akondu's family to drink tonight. He further explained that him alone will have a fair share of Two Hundred (200) Naira drink to himself while his wife, sons and daughters will have a Three Hundred (300) Naira drink.
Nna anyị Akondu told Eziuche that the drink was enough for them being a moderate family. He went ahead with the rest blessings.
Finally, he handed back the total sum minus the #500 to Eziuche and now continued;
My daughter Uloaku is well trained and she will grow your home for the better. But I am giving you this money today for the following purposes;
As you can see, she is healthy and not sick as I hand her over to you. If she gets sick tomorrow, take from this money and give her proper medication.
If she wants to further her education tomorrow, take from this money and send her to school.
If there is no food in your house, please don't keep her hungry, take from this money and give her food.
If she is pregnant and needs the best medical attention, please take from this money and give her adequate care.
If she needs a car to carry your children to school, church and other places as time may demand, take from this money and buy her a car.
If your family lacks anything you need to live happily, please take from this money and provide for your family.
I bless you and your family today and I bless the money in your hands as a seed planted to grow. Feel free to grow the money to keep your home happy.
Congratulations my dear son-in-law Eziuche.
At this point, the gathering erupted in jubilation and the scene faded.
I am
KEMKA S. IBEJI
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