Hannah the Rainmaker: And Other Stories of My Ancestors

By Chamberlain Diala

These are stories of my childhood. African elders pass down family histories through stories. Some stories were told by uncles, some were experiences of family times in the Ndiuhu, Ezeofor village. All the stories are real, but fictionalized to protect the identities of the characters. For three years, as a boy, my family fled to the village as the Biafran War raged. A turbulent time that also provided rich opportunities to immerse in village life with relatives also displaced from various cities. As an inquisitive child, I absorbed these rich ancestral histories.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Sep 19, 2023
• ISBN: 9798369407677

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Copyright © 2023 by Chamberlain Diala.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 09/18/2023

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CONTENTS

Hannah The Rainmaker

Undefeated

Boys In Times Of War

The Expected Visitor

Summertime At Grandma’s House

Apprentice To The Witchdoctor

The Murder Of Ekwe

The Graveyard Man

The Inheritance

Dedication

In all things, above all else, I praise and thank God Almighty.

Mama Hannah Nwankalu was strong and powerful. She learned from her husband Thomas and took up the craft after his death. Her stories were magical and real. Uncle Patrick Ihenebuzoajuwunwa confirmed Alozies as ndi ji mmiri, jiri uguru. Lasbrey Akamike confirmed Hannah’s services were retained for my parents’ wedding.

Ekechukwu emeagi ri ndu yu uwa is closely aligned with Ndukwe Dialaekwe (my paternal grandfather). They shared strong senses of equity and justice.

Japhet Umunnawuike was family patriarch and protector who told me stories and kept a strong hand on our knees.

Regina Chienyenwa is my NorthStar who encouraged me to listen. Mama, I hope you’re proud.

Eugene Akuwudike shared his love of family and village and for that, Papa, I am grateful.

Linda Idongesit has my heart. Thank you for your support and encouragement.

I thank my siblings; I am blessed to be a part of you.

Miles Kelechi, Aham Clinton, and Linda Idongesit first reviewed this manuscript, followed by Blessing Nwadiuto and Umelo Ojinmah. Thank you for your inputs…

Thank you to my children, nieces, and nephews who will be greater than my generation.

Finally, thank you to Akamike, Osuji, Ekechukwu, Ndukwe, Diala, Alozie, Emelurumonye, Anyanwu, Akwagwara, Onyeocha, Anugwelem and Dikeocha – my kinfolk at Ndi bi n’uhu.

This book is dedicated to you all with admiration and respect.

Until next time! Ndewo nu!

Hannah The Rainmaker

In my village there were three rain makers.

People came from miles around to consult them to keep away rain from their events. They were seeking good weather, sunny and dry.

Hannah was a rainmaker when women were not supposed to be rainmakers. She was powerful and determined to take her place among rainmakers. And often at odds with two men: the other rainmakers in the village who considered her an intruder.

Whenever Hannah was invited to a wedding or funeral to keep the rain away, the two men would conspire to work against her; to make it rain, to damage her reputation. They wanted to break her will, to force her to quit, to stop being a rainmaker so they would claim the rainmaking business to themselves.

Despite their efforts, Hannah’s reputation grew as she booked more engagements. After a while, the men made peace with Hannah, surmising that this type of competition was not good for business.

Months after the agreement, Hannah’s son is engaged to marry. A wedding day was set. Hannah went about preparing her rocks, feathers, and dry leaves, carefully picked from the forest, along with cowries and charms to ensure that no rain spoiled her child’s wedding day. She rested her voice for days so her incantations to the gods of rain, thunder and lightning would be appeased with her offerings and ensure a bright, sun-shinny day for her beloved son and bride-to-be.

Her work hut has a low door; Hannah stooped to enter. She was a petite woman, so the average person must come close to a crawl to enter her work hut. But no one was ever allowed inside so no one knows what odd items reside within, not her husband who built the hut and not her children who drop firewood by its door. You only know she is working inside when smoke rises from