The Power of African Customs and Tradition

By Mackson Akhetuamen

This book is an amazing expression of a typical African tradition. It fully details the power of the African custom and tradition as well as the very essence of obedience to one’s background.

The story of Obeahon and Lucy was a painful one as they had various opportunities to genuinely reverse the current state of their life but pride played a strong part on them.

The book is the journey of love, happiness, disappointment, custom and pride.

The Power of African Customs and Tradition is a must-read for you.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mackson Akhetuamen
• Release date: Jan 15, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005072681

Mackson Akhetuamen

Mackson Akhetuamen is a prolific writer, creative storyteller, and savvy book lover, who hails from Utako, Edo State.The Power of African Customs & Tradition is a fictional work birth out of the motivation and deep concern for issues related to Love, Happiness, Customs, and Tradition.Mackson is a consistent book writer having authored other bestselling titles such as Blood Bath in the Jungle, Evil against Evil, The Mystery and War of the Generals.Mackson Akhetuamen is happily married to Juliet, and they are blessed with kids.

Book preview

CHAPTER 4

PAINFUL DECISION

It was a very trying and painful period for Ivie especially concerning the decision to make as her parents suggested. While Ivie was literally passing through hell in respect of her decision, Obeahon and Lucy were happy. Carried away by the euphoria of the moment, Lucy made a vow. She never knew that whereas vows are easy to make, they are most times difficult to keep.

Her father was not around when she returned. Her mother welcomed her back and asked how the meeting with Obeahon's parents went. Ivie narrated the details to her

mother who was delighted and counselled her to be very patient. Just as they were still talking, her father walked into the sitting room. She hugged him lazily.

Ogidigan asked her to sit down by his side as he took his seat and asked whether anyone upset her in the course of her visit to Obeahon's family house. Did his parents tell you anything you didn't like? he further queried.

No father, she answered and kept quiet.

You were more cheerful this morning as you were leaving to Okaka, why are you unhappy now? he asked again.

His parents are not in support of his decision and I do not seem to understand this. His siblings even told me in confidence that their father chased him out of the house with a machete on the day he came to inform his parents about his intention. And his father told me in confidence also that no matter what happens Edward remains his first grandson and that the gods of Okaka land have registered that. He also added that Edward will inherit his father just as Obeahon will inherit him as he also inherited his own father. He said it was the customs and traditions of the land, Ivie explained.

Her father smiled, stood up and said; Ojie was perfectly right but let me go and take my bathe, when I return you will ask me the question you earlier wanted to ask.

Two hours later, after Ogidigan had taken his bathe and eaten, he called Ivie out of the sitting room to join him where he was resting under the mango tree beside the house.

He instructed her to get a chair and seat close to him. What has been bothering you? He quickly asked.

Thank you father, I will do just that, she answered and dashed to the sitting room to get a chair. After she had taken her seat, she said; Here I am father.

What is it that you want to ask me? He asked again.

Can't you use your oracle to make Obeahon come back to me? She asked.

Yes I can but it will not be good for you, he answered. Why? she asked.

Ogidigan sighed and said; You may not understand but let me tell you. If I use the power of the oracle to make that which you seek happen, you must be ready to face the consequences throughout your lifetime. I am your father and I need the best for you; I will advise you to erase such thought from your mind.

She kept to herself for awhile and asked; Father, you know it all; is there no way it can be done without repercussions?

He cleared his throat and said; Yes, there is a way. But the result will be an unhappy home. He will either be a permanent slave to you or you will be a permanent slave to him. However, since you are the one going to use the charm, he will be a permanent slave to you. Either way, there will be negative effects on your children and husband, psychologically and emotionally. It is up to you to decide but I do not advise you to engage in such act.

She kept quiet again and deeply reflected on what her father said. Father, what becomes of me when he eventually marries this other lady? she nervously asked.

You will be fine, though it will take you sometime to overcome the shock but surely, you will find a better man as your husband... She interrupted and declared; Father, if I do not marry Obeahon, I will not marry any other man.

I understand how you feel and the shame he is about to bring to you and our family, but don't let that bother you. If you scratch the body the way it itches you, you will end up peeling your skin, her father said.

After keeping quiet for sometime while her father was chewing his kola nut and taking his kaikai (local gin), she asked; Father, what becomes of Edward? Will that woman not bewitch him because he is the first son? I understand that she is also a native of our land though not from our village.

You are right, now you ask a nice question but not when I am still alive. I will strike her with thunder if she dares that, he muttered angrily.

But father, you cannot under estimate anyone. Why don't you do something now before it is too late? She pleaded.

You are right, human beings are not predictable, and I know just what to do, he said to himself. After keeping mute for some time, he said; I will send your mother to the general market to get me some items to initiate Edward into the 'greater world' of our ancestors. With that, his life will be secured. But I must warn you, do not place any curse on Obeahon because of Edward.

Thereafter, she remembered Ojie's message to her father and delivered it. Father, I almost forgot, Obeahon's father sent his regards to you and said I should tell you that he will be visiting tomorrow.

Okay, I am here waiting for him. Go inside and get your things ready to leave for school tomorrow. Don't let this ugly incidence make you lose concentration concerning your studies, he said. She stood-up, stooped and thanked her father for his support and left him to prepare for her trip.

The next morning, Ivie met with her father in the sitting room to formally tell him that she was about leaving for school. He stood up, entered into his bedroom and came back with some money for her. He reiterated his advice and warned her; Don't raise your voice on him if he visits you again to discuss his silly decision; and make sure you do not separate from him in anger if he still insists that he wants to go ahead with his decision.

She promised to abide by his instructions and her mother walked her to the motor park.

Later that same day, Ojie came to visit Ogidigan as he promised. He was welcomed by Ogidigan and his wife, and ushered to his favourite relaxation spot under the mango tree. He offered Ojie kola nut together with a bottle of local gin. In the course of their discussions and drinking, Ojie suggested that they use diabolical means to recall Obeahon back to his senses. Ogidigan smiled and applauded Ojie for his efforts but told him that he would not be a party to it, as such would lead to great danger for both parties.

Ojie tried to convince him but he stood his ground and clearly declared that it would ruin the lives of their children in future. Thereafter they came to an agreement that Ojie should keep talking to his son, but that if he still refuses to change his stand, he should let him go ahead with his decision. They discussed other interesting matters before Ojie left.

Ogidigan briefed Ehi about his discussion with Ojie and she also tried to pressurize her husband to change his mind. But Ogidigan stood his ground and made his wife understand the consequences.

When Ojie returned home, he also briefed his wife on his meeting with Ogidigan. She then asked him for the way forward to convince their son to rescind his decision. They both agreed to wait for a week or thereabout to see whether Obeahon would come so that they can have a word with him. But that if he does not show up within that period, one of them will visit him in the city.

Two days after Obeahon's visit to Ivie in her school, Lucy told him on bed at night that he should pay her another visit. She wanted him to go and persuade her to agree to his position, stressing that there was need for them to separate peacefully. Obeahon agreed with her and promised to do so by weekend.

When Ivie got back to her apartment from the village, she freshened up, relaxed and called her friend, Monica, to her room.

After the initial exchange of pleasantries, Monica asked to know how her parents reacted to Obeahon's decision.

Do you know that my parents even heard before me? My father warned me not to react negatively because of my son, but I also told him that I will not marry another man if Obeahon sticks to his stupid decision, Ivie replied.

So, how did your parents get to know? How did they react that has made you livelier than when you left for the village? Monica asked jokingly.

Ivie smiled and also jokingly asked; Are you among the people that want the relationship I built for years to crumble just like that? In fact, are you for them or you are for me? Anyway, my parents are the best in the whole world and they have told me not to worry with or without him. But I tell you something, if I do not marry him, I will never marry any other man because they all appear to be the same.

You may be right that men are not to be trusted but there are still some out there who can be trusted, Monica said.

I beg to disagree with you. All men are the same and they are to be treated equally. They will all suffer in my hands if Obeahon succeeds in his awful decision, she said painfully.

Monica immediately read her mood and changed the topic of discussion. They discussed other things relating to academics and women before Monica was able to cheer her up again. And Monica also advised her not to be hostile to Obeahon because of Edward, and that they should depart in peace if the need arises. Ivie agreed with her and noted that her parents had advised her the same way.

At the weekend Obeahon visited her just as he promised Lucy but didn't meet her and decided to hang around for her arrival. As Monica was returning from school, she sighted him hanging around in the nearby departmental store but pretended not to see him.

Obeahon, who had seen her and was waiting to exchange pleasantries, was shocked as she walked pass him. He had to call her by name. Monica turned pretended to be shocked and greeted him. She walked towards him and said; "I am sorry, I did not see you. I was carried away with thoughts of what happened in school