Sins of the Fathers

By Timothy Epupa Ngenge

Mola Mbua, an old man whose life was heavily weighed down by the clutches of his lineage dies leaving behind his children in Lyongo village. Jongo, the first son and his siblings are determined to bar the way to that past that is out to deny them a future.

Like their father and grandfathers before them, they are suddenly overtaken by the realities of their bloodline. Jongo deals so treacherously with his brothers and sister with no compunction or regard to what the father had laid down on his dying bed.

Completely dispossessed, Molua Esuka and Eposi are left without any means of survival. As they contemplate their plight, a suitor comes for Eposi; the twins with their wives move up to the mountain caves as hunters. Molua and Esuka have one objective: to jointly work and save enough money before coming back to Lyongo. An unprecedented state of chaos and misunderstanding flares up between the two brothers.

The animosity does not only ruin their trade and set the mountain ablaze, it destroys their family.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Living Books Publishing
• Release date: Jun 16, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463115411

Timothy Epupa Ngenge

Timothy Epupa Ngenge is a Jurist, Preacher, and motivational Speaker based in Douala, Cameroon. His poems are a regular feature in Voices: The Wisconsin Review of African Literature. He is the coordinator of SEEDS, an organization that works to counter pessimism by helping young Africans realize their potential. Timothy Epupa Ngenge is the award-winning author of SONS OF EVE, with whom he won 09 international awards.

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SINS OF THE FATHERS

SINS OF THE FATHERS

Timothy Epupa Ngenge

Living Books Publishing

Makepe, Rue des Avocats, Douala

© Copyright by Timothy Epupa Ngenge

All right reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the prior written permission of the Publisher. Brief quotations can be done for personal or educational purpose and should not exceed one full page.

First edition

ISBN: 978-1-9767-0799-5 Perfectbound

ISBN: 978-0-4631-1541-1 Ebook

Published by

Living Books Publihsing

Makepe, Rue des Avocats,

PO Box 8758 Douala, Cameroon

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Printed in Cameroon by Living Press, a division of The Living Group.

Catalog: African literature, Novels, Culture/Heritage, Publisher, Author

CHAPTER I

When families begin to grope in life as they embark on a quest for the good day, then the past is certainly hiding somewhere in their midst. While they falter and stumble in their enterprises, the men of the clan do not know that they grapple with the consequences of some long-ago transactions. The days of old are long gone but the firm hand of that distant past lingers. In vain they shift from one location to another to avoid or shake off the dust of history that meets them at every turn. The past is more alive and enduring than the present.

From their different hiding places, they could hear the distinctive sound of the crier’s Ngengi or hand bell as he announced his way to their Ewoka or compound. The three sons of old Mola Mbua knew that their brawl during the community work had angered every villager in Lyongo. It was very obvious to the trio that these recurrent acts of violence and divisiveness had turned even their friends and a few goodwill people against them. Just a few seasons after their last fight that caused the death of their mother, here were they once again being summoned by the crier to face the redoubtable council of elders.

Getting close to the yard of Mola Mbua the crier was apprehensive: he did not know what to do or what to expect. He all of a sudden felt like someone on a very dangerous mission. The house that stood some yards away from him has suddenly become a lion’s den. What he and the other villagers had witnessed during the day kept passing through his mind. The seemingly respectful and obedient sons of this family had turned out to be ferocious lions. They had heatedly fought and struck each other with such violence that most Lyongo men could not allow even on their worst enemies. All the village men could not get them under control. He looked at the closed door as some new thoughts crossed his mind. "Are the young men home? Are they still the bloody gladiators he had seen during the day or the hardworking and polite sons they had always been?"

In obeying the village council, this man did not have the intention to put himself on harm’s way. He stood yards away on the main road. From that safe distance he rang his bell.

Ting-a-ling. Is there somebody in this house? Ting-a-ling, ting-a-ling. He struck.

As the door slowly went open, he nearly ran away. It was Enjema, the daughter of Mola Mbua who came out.

Where are your brothers? He asked.

They are not in, Mola. The young lady responded with tears in her eyes. Seeing the crier before their house, she knew trouble was near.

Where are they?

They decided to run away from the village after the fight. She spoke as tears rolled down her cheeks.

The crier made a quick sign of the cross and thanked God for their absence or escape. He walked into the yard.

Where is your father?

He is still in the farm.

I am sure you are grownup enough to know why I am here.

I know. Please, please don’t expel my family from this village. She wept and pleaded.

Your brothers have finally uprooted your family from the ground of Lyongo and I have just come to place the Muquatta or sword of judgement. From this day forward, you people are cut off from us. After saying these things he pulled out a sword and fixed it to the ground, right in front of the house.

Enjema fell on her knees and wept as the crier walked away.

From the top of the hill Nyoki could see his friend Mola Mbua tilling the soil. He hastily ran down to meet him.

Tell me that what you are saying is not true. Mola Mbua pleaded.

We have never seen or heard of such a fight in all the history of Lyongo.

What is the decision of the village council?

That your family must leave the village as soon as possible.

Nyoki, so I have been banished from Lyongo! He cried out loud and fell on his knees. My fathers...My fathers...My fathers...! He lamented.

I think we can do something. Nyoki said as he helped his friend back to his feet.

What can we do? Nyoki, tell me. How can I save the situation? I am now an old man with no legs and energy to carry my family to another location.

The Muquatta of judgement is already in your yard.

My fathers...My fathers...Why are the wrongs of others making an old man like me to suffer?

Listen to me. I am going back to the village to persuade the other members of the council to at least hear your plea. Listen to me carefully. Do not try to protect those boys before the great men of Lyongo.

For us to convince these men and get them to change their minds you must portray those boys as outlaws.

Then what will be the base of my argument?

Your dead wife.

How?

Stand before them like a poor and helpless widower. Let them understand that you are a victim of these criminals or so called son who precipitated your wife to her grave. Tell them that you do not want to miss the love of Lyongo, and to abandon the bones of your wife that lie in silent communion with all the dead of Lyongo.

Then what would become of the boys? They are just victims...My fathers...My fathers.

Leave that with me. They are all secured.

I have heard you, my dear brother. Thank you.

Now I am going back to meet with the council. Just go home, clean up yourself and meet us at the home of Mbella. To hijack that meeting, I will stir up the atmosphere and provoke Mekinde, my rival, for a verbal fight or quarrel. Once Mekinde falls in my trap, they will all jump on me to side with him, and with you. That is the only way to kill this case and keep your place in this village. Nobody should ever know that we met in your farm. The friends left in two different directions.

I think this is the right time for us to send a very strong signal to any stranger who thinks Lyongo is a no man’s land. The man from the outside who used to be a friend of mine must be beaten and thrown out of this village with that troublesome bunch he calls his sons.

The other seven members of the council could not believe what they heard. Nyoki who had always been the vocal advocate of Mola Mbua has become his chief adversary. Ngunde stood up to speak.

I think it is very normal for Nyoki to be this angry. He feels betrayed by the behaviour of this family that has become part of him. We also have to be watchful to make sure that the conduct of this family does not make us lose our composure and that sense of equanimity that has always been part of our council.

It is absolutely unacceptable that boys I have treated like my own sons should disrespect us like those rascals did. Nyoki said.

We have heard you, Nyoki. You can now have your seat. Ngunde urged.

This man must be banished from this village with his whole family today. They must pack out this very day. Nyoki was shouting and leaping around the place.

Sit down Mr Dictator! Mekinde, who was Nyoki’s only enemy or critic in the council, challenged him.

Mekinde, shut up that mouth of yours. This is not about our usual land dispute. Never stand up against me.

What can you do to me, Nyoki? I think we should always remind you that you are the youngest member of this council. It is not up to you to decide on how or when we banish people from our village.

They must leave today! Nyoki shouted.

And I say they will never leave this village. Mekinde riposted.

Mekinde, I want to remind you that the Muquatta is already planted in their compound. You are late.

Nyoki, we together sent the crier to plant the sword of judgement and we can still uproot it and get this family once again planted in Lyongo.

You do not even master the customs of our land. That has never happened in the history of our village. Once the Muquatta is put in the ground no one can uproot it to alter the ruling of the council.

There you are, young man, foolishly arguing with men who are in this council since the days of your late father. Mola Mondoa who is the oldest man in the council can tell us more about the Muquatta.

As Mola Mondoa pushed himself to his feet, Nyoki and Mekinde sat down.

My sons, the old man said. We did not come here to judge the endless wrangles between Nyoki and Mekinde. We have come to see how to expel this stranger family that is desecrating the land of our ancestors. Let us settle on this matter alone. As a point of correction, I want Nyoki to know that the Muquatta has been uprooted several times in the past.

I therefore call on you all to leave it planted in Mola Mbua’s compound. Nyoki said.

For the sake of this old man, Mola Mbua, let us show leniency in uprooting the sword of judgement. Mekinde countered.

As they continued a lad came in to announce the coming of Mola Mbua.

Let us throw him out of this village at once. Nyoki said. Mola Mondoa beckoned to Nyoki to be silent, but he continued. Let us send him away.

I think it is time we realise that Nyoki is trying to influence this council with his wicked heart. How can he disrespect our father, Mola Mondoa in such an open manner? Mbella said.

He should be expelled and banished from the council. Mekinde said. It is better to have Mola Mbua and his sons who fight themselves in this village than have Nyoki who fights and disrespect his elders in the council.

Nyoki, I think it is right for you to leave this place before Mola Mbua comes in. Mola Mondoa said. Nyoki walked out angrily. They could overhear him throwing insults on Mola Mbua outside.

Mola Mbua walked in on his knees. In a feeble voice he said: A desperate and poor old man has come before those who have the power of judgement. Will they let him live with men or send him away to dwell in death with the beasts of the wild?

Why is your household upsetting the serenity of Lyongo? Mbella asked.

The young men are a permanent pain to my household. How have I been an offence that the terrible Muquatta should visit me?

That which has come from your loins has really troubled us today. Mbella remarked.

The young men are my sons but their hearts are not of my family. They are a thorn to my household and a shame to us all.

They have brought your stay amongst us to an abrupt end. Mola Mondoa said.

Please look not upon the trespasses of the troublemakers of today. The wrongs of my father’s house abide with us. Consider the tears and entreaties of my sorrowful heart. Consider the bones of my dear wife that lie under this blessed land of yours.

I now stand with the stranger who walked out of his house on his feet and is now on his knees before the worthy men of Lyongo. Mekinde said as he helped Mola Mbua to his feet.

I propose we expel the young men and spare the old man. One council man suggested.

That is well said. Mola Mondoa said. Where are his sons?"

I learnt they are already on the run. Nalyonge said.

They are banished. Mola Mondoa concluded.

The elders cut the stem of a plantain to implement the separation with the sons of Mola Mbua. Mola Mbua was asked to offer a number of goats and pigs to appease the ancestors and the spirits of the mountain; and ten cocks for the cleansing of the village.

CHAPTER II

Nyoki had a very difficult night: He could not sleep because of Mola Mbua’s condition. He had taken him to a nganga or native doctor and to the Buea government hospital to no avail. He was faced with the dilemma whether to bring back Mola Mbua’s son who had been banished or dump his own family and activities to look after him. Nyoki had not attended to his farm and his palm wine business for two weeks since Mola Mbua took ill. Enjema, the daughter of the old man was too young to take care of her father all alone. It was time to think on how to bring back the sons of Mola Mbua for them to look after their sick father.

He knew that the villagers would never accept the idea of having those boys come back to Lyongo. It was time to think of a solution. He walked out of his house to buy some snuff at Ngunde’s place.

He shook hands with Ngunde as his wife went to get the snuff bottle.

My brother, you will stay here for your tobacco. I am going to see Mola Mbua because his situation is not getting better at all. Ngunde said.

I have been there early this morning. Nyoki said. That young girl can do nothing to help the father."

This relay we are involved in cannot help the situation. Let his sons come back and take care of their father." Ngunde proposed.

Do not forget that they have been banished.

We make the rules and we change them, Nyoki.

Are you sure we can change this judgment?

If those boys show up right now, I will urge the council to reverse the verdict. Let them come and carry their burden and spare us this trouble.

Nyoki was delighted to know that there were others in the village who wanted the boys back. Ngunde and Nyoki parted companies