AS IT WAS FINAL

8/14/2019 AS IT WAS FINAL

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AS IT WAS

This is a work of fiction. It is the story of some African

leaders who lived in the nineteenth century; it is about

Oloja, the generalissimo of Alele land, who was a loyal

subject to his king, Ale. Oloja was sent on exile by Ale

the supreme head in order to cover his secret

atrocities that were exposed to Oloja.

He went on exile but Ale did not remain the sameagain and according to Oloja, Arewa there is only one

person I am afraid of in this life and that person is a

man the gods are fighting his battle, if the gods are

my defense, do I need to bother my head about Ales

hatred, suspicion and misplaced anger. I am working

towards the peaceful reunion of Aleles indigenes in

diasporas, strange land cannot become sweet home.

Alele indigenes are scattered all over because home is

no longer home. I came happily with my car and I

cannot even drive it out for people to behold,

everybody carries long face. Love is lost in Alele

He returned as a triumphant man but met an empty

town; the story is still the same till today.

Olutosin Oladosu-Adebowale presents infiction the life

history of the indigenous Yoruba people of the


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Western region in the Western part of Africa,

imagination let loose.


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CHAPTER 1

Arewa walked into the hall where all the chiefs were

silently seated, she wore a black blouse and tied a

cream color woven wrapper around her chest, she has

black and kinky hair, parted at the middle into two

equal parts closely looking at her ankle, one can easily

notice that a chain dangles on her ankle and there is

also a beautiful brown bead on both ankles too, a tiny

beads hung around her neck. She held her head high

and was undaunted as she walked into the midst of

the seated chiefs. She is very tall for a woman

because she is taller than every man in the hall.

Oloja cleared his throat, immediately he saw her

approaching his seat and began to address her;

Arewa, are you ready? She looked down at Oloja on

his seat, and directed his question to him, I learnt

that you sent my parents to the local prison, how

would you feel after all I mean when all these is over?,

you incarcerate me and now my parents because of

forceful marriage, with which face will you see my

parents I mean this would be in laws when I agree to

marry you, Oloja? This was her sharp response.

Are you ready now? Oloja inquired from her as he

directed the Kings guards to set her free from the


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chains in her ankle, Akoda release the chain, Akoda

moved towards her, but she shouted leave my ankle

I am not ready, I will be ready when my parents are

back in their house, the dowry paid and a formal

apology sent to them through your emissary who are

all ears but no good advice to you.

She walked slowly, as a result of the golden chain tied

on her ankle, it is painful because of both

psychological and emotional trauma she has gone

through, she has suffered humiliation in the hands of

men she had been betrothed to in the past, by force or

by trick she has found herself in the hands of men she

has no iota of love for, always married against her

wish from the first Oloja who asked for her hand in

marriage to the second one who inherited her at all

cost.

She managed through the tiny passage to the small

hall as she grope with hands into the inner room in

front of Olojas main room, it was a dark passage,

short walk hall-way that led to another self contained

chamber with a square hall conference. She walked

into the dark room and slammed the door behind her.

Oloja cleared his throat again it is a habit that has

been with him for ages,


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Alase should be ready by now, he said to no one in

particular

Alase is the beautiful wife that cooks for Oloja, she

comes out on few occasions whenever it is

compulsory, Alase is Olojas favorite wife, she cooks

naked because no woman must wear cloth in Olojas

kitchen. It is her turn to supervise the food meant for

the chiefs who are in the meeting with Oloja.

Akoda stepped backward towards the entrance of the

hall that leads to the wives hall and beckoned to one

of the slaves sitting on the stage at the largest

conference hall; it is on the left hand side of the

access road that leads to the kitchen. The kitchen is

out of bound to everybody except to the selected

Alase who is normally the favorite of elected Oloja.

One of the slaves came in with a short wrapper tied

around her waist, Akoda sent her on an errand and in

minutes she was back with Olojas youngest wife

Ologe, she is about sixteen years of age beautifully

dressed in a woven traditional dress, she painted her

legs with the traditional dye locally called laali, there

are different types of shapes ranging from animals

such as, rat, snakes to flowers all drawn from her

palms to her arms and legs, closer looks gives the


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impression that she has no other works than to

decorate her body, or her main interest is body

decoration she walked towards Oloja and knelt down

in front of him my Lord, I answer your call this is the

tradition of Alele land, the women are expected to

kneel down fold both hands at the back as a sign of

respect.

Oloja did not lift his head to behold this young

beautiful girl before he sent her on errands, go into

the kitchen and tell Alase that her attention is needed

here Ologe as she is popularly called due to her

penchant for fashion walked backwards, thoughts ran

through her mind, how can she please Oloja? but must

she please a man? if not for her father who is really on

her neck, forcing her to marry Oloja against her wish

because he wants her to bear children for the highchief, there are many men outside who are striving to

speak to her, some have even asked for her hand in

marriage but her father will never respond to those

young men.

There must be other reasons behind his forcing her to

marry Oloja who unfortunately is not interested in her

couple with the fact that she has waited in vain night

and day for Oloja who has never knocked her door

since she has been given to him in marriage. She


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cannot reconcile her fathers desperation for this

marriage and his gains from the forceful union.

She sighed and moved back towards the door which

leads to the hall, it is the same door that leads

through to Olojas room then into the kitchen. Alase is

naked except for the beads, cooking Olojas food

because according to the tradition, any woman

preparing Olojas meal must be naked with the

exception of beads used to cover the lower parts and

the chest, it is called Ukpolo, she dreads when her

time would come, if it ever will and it will be expected

of her to cook naked for Oloja.

She moved towards Alase mother my Lord is calling

you,

Alase left all she was doing and moved into an innerroom where she applied Tiro the black eye pencil and

she powdered her face with the brown local powder

known as alagodo, in actual fact, painting her face is

not her usual traits but one cannot but try to look

good in the presence of Oloja.

She walked briefly towards the conference room when

he reached his presence she greeted all the chiefs and

wished then happy deliberations and knelt in front of

Oloja.


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My Lord Ologe delivered your message.

Oloja did not look up, what are you doing Alase? he

said,

Your food is ready my lord she answered

give my food to Arewa he said, Ologe moved

backward and turn toward the big door that led to the

main hall, several slaves sat on the stage, the men on

the right side and the women on the left side she

walked towards one of the palace rooms to meet the

first wife called Iyale, she is not the oldest but the first

wife of Oloja, Alase entered the inner room where

Iyale laid on a pavement doubled as a bed, she

greeted her before lodging her complaint.

iya wa my lord rejected his meal again, he said that I

should give it to Arewa, this is the fifth day and I

cannot see what is in Arewa that we do not possess,

he has been living on egg yolk and he speaks little

even to his younger chiefs and high chiefs, wont you

talk to him?

Iyale smiled before she responded, you are still

young, with time you will understand him but Ologe

now, I cannot confront his anger, go and do his wish,

she concluded.


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Alase moved to the next room, it is Ajike room, she is

one of Olojas several wives, she sat on the mat

singing lullaby, to her youngest son, Alase knocked

with sounds to indicate that there is someone at the

door although there is no door but a small wooden

gate, she said Ajike how is Oba? is he eating? Is he

drinking? Thank you Alase, she answered before

asking her question;

Are you here again because of your meal Alase?,

please spare me all that information, Oloja has his life

to live. I singlehandedly cater for four boys with the

exception of his miserable tubers of yam, just

according to the tradition and here you are always

complaining about Olojas comfort, what I think about

is more than his stomach, my children eat like ants,

every moons tubers of yam, which no one has everinquired how I prepare soup or do you think that they

eat it with ordinary water and salt?

She continued ranting and complaining, even many

children who are from poor homes are in school with

their books but my children do not have any, please

there is more to life than Olojas tubers of yam and his

refusal to eat your food.


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Alase turned back without opening the wooden gate

which is meant to debar pets from entering rooms, she

passed through a narrow room like corridor across the

palace, it is directly opposite Ajikes room, she went

straight into the inner chamber which has the

entrance that led to the kitchen she hung her woven

wrappers on a nail on the wall revealing a beaded

blouse she continued with the preparation of meal.

Arewa started singing her voice rings like a bell,

A ee oni me oja, ola me oja

Ola me oja, ola me oja

A ee oni me oja, ola me oja ogho o

She sang repeatedly, singing about her departed

husbands, their praises and how they were

undefeated warriors, she is so conversant with the

oriki and it was so fluent that Olojas hair stood on

edge. Oloja immediately stood from his stool and

moved towards the dark corridor that leads to his

chamber; the more he moved closer the more Arewas

song became more penetrating. He continued walking

towards where the melodious song and oriki came

from, it was the small room by the left side of the dark

corridor where she was kept. It was Olojas late

mothers former room.


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Oloja knocked and waited for an answer, within few

seconds Arewa answered come in and the noise of

the local key being opened from behind, Oloja moved

into the room where Arewa was under chain and lock,

the room was dark, it has a very small window if it is

opened, anyone can watch the wives hall where each

woman has her room but the window is perpetually

under lock.

Oloja instructed Arewa as he came into the room;

light the lamp, there is a palm oil light behind the

door he concluded, Arewa answered him sharply no

lamp Oloja, if you cannot talk without the light you are

free to suspend your discussion or is it mandatory that

you must see your mouth before you talk? if you are

afraid of darkness, you are free to move outside I will

follow you and we can discuss outside the room whereyou can see your mouth.

Oloja kept quiet for a while and it took him some

minutes before he responded to her sharp remark, he

felt the room with his hands before he got to the

pavement-like-bed that Arewa sat on, then he began

his speech. Arewa you are the only woman who talk

to me the way you like, what is the reason for all these

insults and why is it I cannot keep my passion from

you? He asked rhetorically.


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Arewa did not utter a word, Oloja moved closer to

Arewa and continued If I have offended you in any

way, can you forgive me?

Arewa hissed before she responded,

Oloja, you have not offended, how can you? My

parents are in the local prison courtesy of your

Lordships verdict, do you see people who come back

from the court to continue friendship?

Oloja was listening but could not see the face of who

he is conversing with, yet he continued his speech

Arewa they are well taken care of, their three square

meals are taken to them daily, Oloja explained

Come to think of it Oloja, have you ever seen a

husband and wife happily dining in their prison room?She queried

I only did that to force you to love me and I can see

that it does not change you but I come to beg you to

forgive and forget. I have not been able to eat or drink

and the more I see you the more I feel it is unlike me

to beg a woman for so long a time there are women in

the palace, and the only place where you can find

more women is in the Kings palace, these women

though I am no longer interested in them again, and I


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continue to wonder, you are not a virgin but a woman

with two children, what I feel for you has not changed

all these years. Arewa kindly accept my proposal and

a befitting wedding will be arranged.

Oloja unrelentingly continued when I was coming

into this room, I had made up my mind to release you

and forget about you but I know my mind is not

releasing you.

There was a strange silence in the room after Olojas

address but Arewa broke the long silence, Oloja I

have married two Olojas before you and I have two

children, why you are belaboring me with another

marriage is not clear at all, I am not beautiful than

these young ones you have here, you piled up women

as if you are in a race of women life, other said you

were a eunuch when you came into the world the first

time and now what you were starved of then you now

seize your second coming to make a glutton of, the

problem of Olojas wife is wearisome and I have been

a widow twice, lately people have been calling me a

witch, if I marry you and olojo (death) comes knocking

your people will stone me to death, and I am not ready

to die because I have seen several corpses they are

hardly beautiful to behold, Come to think of it, how


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many husband and wife have you met in the prison

enjoying their dinner?

Oloja cleared his throat as usual, this has been the

first time when Arewa and himself will have a genuine

heart to heart talk, he was so joyful at least he heard a

genuine and good enough reason from Arewa

although people have even told him so.

Oloja replied her gently Oloja the first died at the ageof eighty two, he left you when you were very young

with a daughter. His cousin inherited you, had a child

before he died at seventy four before I became Oloja

the third. In age, I am the youngest Oloja to reign in

the history of this land but I am older than you, yes,

more than a decade older than you, your wisdom

makes you feel aged, you are not more than twenty

six years whether there is date of birth or not. Oloja

paused but Arewa made no attempt to respond and

Oloja continued

Arewa death is in the hands of the gods ,it cannot be

determined by age, the affection I have for you must

not be mistaken for stupidity, I have gone too far now

to back out at this stage Arewa ,think twice, it is not

my intention to marry you, but my mother made me

to promise her at her dying bed, she said you are the


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only Alase around because you are a very loyal wife,

she took time to study the ones I married before she

told me to fight for your love. I take my leave.

Oloja maneuvered his way grouping in darkness till he

came out of the room. He did not lock the door

behind; neither did he leave the door ajar.

The chiefs in the hall have started munching their food

which Alase had supervised its preparation and servedby some slaves and freeborn, it was egidi, a special

pounded corn; it is so hard that people believe that it

can block the anus but it is a delicious meal that is

useful when one is ready for a hard days job.

Egidi has a peculiar odour, and it is a general opinion

that no man can finish two wraps, with the exception

of Yoyo, the rest of the chiefs were munching withokro, Yoyo does not eat okro, he sings whenever he is

coming in to Olojas palace, yoyo does not eat okro

and it is everyone that knows that he must be served

with okotogho, which is made from melon seed,

Yoyo broke the silence, thank you my lord for this

meal , this is delicious may your purse never run dry,

you are the green snake that hunt anaconda due to

comfortability, you share five children with their

parents, you took three out of the children and handed


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over the remaining two to their parents, if they are not

pleased with the method of sharing they should hand

over that two to make five on your side. A snake that

crawls into a gourd cannot be killed, If you add smoke

to the calabash you are in danger.

He was about to continue his praise singing when one

of the High chiefs cut him off.

It is enough Yoyo, you finished egidi you arebabbling, what if you were served palm kernel wine?

said one of the lower chiefs,

Everybody washed hands intermittently in a big pot,

Akowa moved closer to Oloja he made a signal to him

signifying that he would love to have a word with

Oloja, and Oloja accepted, he moved a small stool

meant for the slaves towards oloja and began hiswords of advice.

My lord, if you accept me as a friend, accept my

chastisement, the way you go about Arewas case is

bringing out the woman in you, she is not the most

beautiful woman in this town, I handed my young

daughter to you last moon, till now she is yet to be

filled up, she parades here day and night and you do

not show any concern, the next yam festival will make

the third that you have been working towards Arewa


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He continued nonstop and Oloja did not reply.

There are thirty women in this palace, you sleep and

wake alone, no woman on this stool beside you,

whereas it is meant for the woman you love most or

the one you can confide in, how can the queens stool

be continually remain vacant when you are not

married to only one woman who is on a journey?

Oloja cleared his throat, Akowa , what a child loves toeat will eventually kill the child, Arewa is a poison to

my vein, I have never search in vain Arewa will not

escape, she will eventually swallow her pride. I have

spoken.

Akowa stood from the stool and walked back to his

seat.

Arewa remained silent in her tiny and dark prison, her

mind was befuddled with roaring thoughts, does it

mean that Oloja has no love lost for her? Is just a

marriage to satisfy a dead mothers wish? What could

have made the woman enforced her son through such

a rigid and unrealistic vow, what lies ahead that made

her a sought after bride, a woman loved by warriors,

but is beheading the antidote of migraine? Will she

continue to shut the door of her heart to a man she

secretly admire, the first young Oloja. She resolved to


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take a walk through the garden of her future as she

lay on the pavement-like-bed and was overpowered by

slumber.

CHAPTER 2


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The meeting continued, the chiefs have proceeded to

the session of case settling Oloja usually divides the

duties among the high chiefs present and all the

Baales of all the villages under Oloja, the Baales are

the village heads, they are like kings in their

respective villages but they report to high authority, in

Ale there are six High class chiefs who are higher than

all the high chiefs. Oloja divided case but jots down

points from one group to the other; this makes caseseasier to handle in his own jurisdiction, only serious

cases that are life threatening is passed to Oloja.

During this meeting, Oloja moves from one corner to

the other, it is a very large conference room, he is

very fortunate to be educated; he is the only educated

high chief in his district.

His main duty is to report all important cases to theking. The only case he has not reported to the king is

Arewas case which is threatening his own existence

and causing unexpected sleeplessness it has been a

source of gossip in Ale for years, he knew it is stale

news to the king and he is already a laughing stock

among his people. Every strong man in Alele wants

Arewa for keep.

Oloja stopped what he was writing immediately

Arewas case came to mind, he felt a pang of anger


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and he moved smartly through the dark corridor and

knocked the room wherein Arewas was locked and

walked in without waiting for any response.

He instructed in a very sharp tone Arewa have your

bath and sit beside me before the end of the case

session check the boxes, they belong to mother they

are now yours, it is a taboo to divide our inheritance

among her children.

He removed the bunch of key from the door and threw

it on the bed, that is the key, loose your padlock He

wanted to walk into the room but restricted himself.

Arewa unlocked the padlock, removed the chain and

stood up like a hypnotized woman walked through the

small inner palace into the kitchen where Alase was

busy singing, immediately she heard the faint sound

of footsteps, she looked back and was shocked at

Arewas presence because she comes out only at

night to have her bath and arrange whatever she kept

in a small bag, though she refused to greet or interact

with anyone. Arewa greeted Alase which is the first

time she will utter a word to anyone in the compound

except Oloja, she has become a subject of gossip

among the freeborn and the slaves in the palace. A

child that will grow tall will be blessed with long legs

and the sound of noise will never kill a bell, popularity


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will never kill stop the moon from shining, Arewa is

used to gossips.

Arewa went straight into a small bathroom that is

adjacent to the kitchen in few minutes she was

outside and within thirty minutes, Arewa was gaily

dressed in beads and a cream color woven traditional

wrapper which she got from the one of the boxes

belonging to Olojas mother, she opened the tine

window and was watching at Alase who had left what

she was doing in the sacred kitchen and walked very

fast into Iyales room and after some minutes Iyale

was outside walking towards the large conference hall

meant for Oloja and his chiefs.

Arewa smiled, Oloja is living among his enemies, it is a

taboo, Alase must not come outside the chamber to

reveal whatever Oloja is engaged in, that is why she

must be naked, but this is another type of Alase, who

was not trained on how to manage Oloja or refused to

accept the mandatory initial training before becoming

the Alase.

After gaily being dressed she stepped barefooted into

the largest palace extension hall where the case

session was going on.


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Arewa greeted the chiefs, may you all live long loyal

chiefs they all muttered greetings, no one said

another word or make a cynical comment but they

were stupefied as Arewa knelt before Oloja and began

to praise him; big eyeball, may you reign longer that

your ancestors Oloja was very proud, he fought back

tears and reminded himself that he is a man. Have

your sit Arewa, he incoherently said.

He stopped jotting in his note and walked back to his

seat .She was taller than every man in Olojas palace,

very dark and well built like a man, she sat beside

Oloja. For the first time in years, Oloja felt like a

complete Oloja because his mother was always sitting

beside him till her death, although it is not an

acceptable tradition but their closeness was

exaggerated.

The session continued till late in the evening, some

cases were settled while others were adjourned. The

cases involving boundary were assigned to junior

chiefs, they are to travel to the villages and share the

land among the villagers. At the end of the day, and

they all left one after the other till only Arewa and

Oloja were in the Hall.


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Oloja broke the peace, Arewa, today is my happiest

day on the throne, I have always dreamt of a day you

will sit beside me amongst my people, Arewa smiled

and answered him, it is alright my Lord, my parents

are still in the prison, oh no replied Oloja, they

have been released immediately I left your room, I

sent an emissary to them.

She continued, my patients are still there, it is an

issue we will have to jointly agree on, Oloja sighed,

Arewa, you cater for people so selflessly, it is unusual

to cater for mad women and you are too young for

that Arewa.

Arewa did not allow him to conclude the sentence

when she replied, Oloja that is what people say, but

my reward is the satisfaction, inner peace and

contentment, you know our belief, if you receive a

dime in this village because you cared for someone

with mental sickness, one of your children will suffer

mental sickness, whatever stone thrown at the palm

tree will be sent back to the sender, why disturbing

myself, collecting from paupers God has blessed me,

the more I help them the more I am helped by others,

the issue at hand is where to keep them, do not forget

that it is not every generation that breed a healer.


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Oloja answered her after a prolonged silence, Arewa

keep those sick people at the favored peoples hall it

was a matter of fact statement; he knew that Arewa

will not be favored with that and she snapped back

the favored hall is the cemetery for strangers and

slaves in your territory my Lord. yes Arewa, that is

where I can afford to let go, the delivery room for the

mothers can be one of those room at the backyard

that is the best I can release for you, every woman inmy palace is entitled to an inner and outer room,

thank you Oloja may you continue to watch over us

with the right eye, Arewa stood up, I want to relax,

Oloja, it was a long session, Oloja followed Arewa.

Arewa settled comfortably in Olojas palace after her

marriage to Oloja, she had never experienced such

manner of love in her marriages; she was given out toher husband when she was fifteen years and the man

was closer to the grave than to being a bridegroom.

He died and she was inherited by his brother who was

very old, she made up her mind to take care of the

children and her patients since she believed she was

unfortunate with marriage.

Her parents were well settled by Oloja and in addition

to allowing her patients to live in the favours hall in


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his palace. She became an enviable and happy wife

for the first time in her existence.

CHAPTER 3

Arewa was singing in the backyard, beside her were

post natal women with their babies on their laps, somewere sleeping while others were sucking breast.

Arewas normal routines include visits to the women


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who are pregnant or in delivery rooms but in the

favored hall she treats the sick and mentally

disordered patients but every market day during the

case session Oloja does not allow her to leave his

presence, until all the high chiefs have left; she is the

only woman who is allowed to contribute to their

deliberation. It is surprising because it came as normal

to all chiefs, though it has never happened in the

history of Oloja that a queen not Olojas mothercontributes to case session.

She had married two Oloja, but has never been

privileged to sit among the high chiefs although she

was married as a teenager but now she is growing to

adulthood but with richer and better experience than

women of her age, she has paid her sacrifice,

engaging in what the elders do and she is allowedamong the council of elders. Arewa has slaves that

attend to her as errand ladies, she is known to all in

Ale as the midwife.

Kiki, the first daughter of Arewa to the late Oloja, she

is light in complexion unlike her ebony black mother,

Arewa made sure she understands leaves, herbs and

roots, she will not leave those for slaves but Kiki must

run errands when it comes to plucking leaves and

uprooting shrubs. Kiki came into the backyard where


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Arewa attends to babies she refused to pluck the

leaves for me, that all leaves have gone back to the

farm, she rattled on as she finds a small stood to sit

on; is that your greeting kiki? Arewa responded oh I

am sorry, Good morning ma, I greeted you in the

morning now, she explained; Arewa stood erect, I

have told you to always greet everybody, whenever

you arrive home from on errand, it is expected of a

well brought up girl, tomorrow make sure you leavevery early in the morning, some leaves loose their

potency and return to the farm so early, such is

degbe leaf but it is good for conclusion in children, you

can grind the crab , I have roasted them, tomorrow

you can add degbe leaf then.

Arewa is a very knowledgeable woman when it comes

to traditional medicine and she has accepted that asher role in the community, she commands equal

respect with men but this is subtle as nobody utters

such words in the setting.

When she finished instructing Kiki, a slave walked in

and knelt before her; iya wa, (our mother) Oloja wants

to see you, she left what she was doing washed her

hands; walked into the main hall that led to the stage ,

Oloja was outside with some children, it is too early for

folktales she wonders as she knelt down,


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May you live long, My Lord, I hear your call, yes

Arewa , sit beside me, every child returns to their

mothers abode

Oloja began, I received a telegram from the Queens

country that I should visit queens land along with the

king of Ale, it is so strange because the king has

visited them severally and I have sent tones of kernel

but nothing has been paid through the king, and I

begin to wonder whether the king has been paid or

the whites people have been buying on credit, the way

we kill a layman is not the way an expert should be

slaughtered. You will have to take care of my district

till I return, Akowa will assist you

Arewa was surprised, she has never heard of any

woman assuming the responsibility of Oloja, even with

his intelligent he still consult elders on issues, my

lord, I am sorry but it is not possible ,I am expecting

our child and I will not be able to sit down for a very

long time with Akowa but I promise to always assist

whenever possible, but as regards the issue of going

on a journey, have you inquired about the safety of

the journey, I do not trust the king, because he has

always being envious of your position and affection to

the populace.


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Oloja laughed, can a king be jealous of a chief? A

chief can only be jealous of God, he may want to be

like one of our gods, have you forgotten the proverb; a

king that is search of a charm for making money

should just look for a charm for becoming a god. He is

educated, he also helped with my mandatory

education at catechism class, I respect him as if he is

my fathers age mate and his children are my

contemporaries, why will he be jealous of me? Olojaexplained to her

Arewa sighed before she began, you are a chief that

is higher than a king, to Ale, you are a threat, and a

running mate, Oloja smiled, Arewa, my lineage can

never become a king, it is forbidden! You have thirty

wives, he has forty aside this, he is always trying to

outdo you, all I have to say is be careful and do notallow those white people to confuse you Arewa

concluded and left abruptly.

Arewa walked towards the door that leads to the

backyard when she turned back, Oloja was looking

into the space, when Arewa came back,

Oloja, be at alert, I will visit Baba Iroko this evening,

whatever he says will determine whether you will

travel or not, he knows the final decisions through


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divination, also my Lord I will call a meeting of the

wives and discuss the journey with them she

informed him, and before she turned her back Oloja

shouted

come back here if I need a town crier, I know where

to get one, I did not send you on emissary of

revelation, you are sending message to witches and

wizards Oloja continued, severally have I told you,

you are not my wife but a companion, did I not see

those ones before I called you? Arewa you are

offending me, you are the new wife but my life is in

your hands, we have discussed this over and over

again, I hate dwelling on trivial issues. Arewa smiled,

Oloja, this is not a trivial issue, how can you leave this

land and the whole of Ale will not know your

whereabouts talk less of your household, the life of aman is in the hands of his creator, you are not going to

the next own or the state capital, you are going to the

queen land, you are spending months not days, the

king will soon blow it open, to full proportion, we will

only apply wisdom and caution but all the wives must

be aware before they hear from outsiders.

Arewa left Olojas presence but there is one thing she

is aware of, all Olojas wives are one while Arewa is on

her own.


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She has refused to take over the cooking of Olojas

food because of her patients and passion for healing

but Oloja eats from her pot. This is not the normal

practice, it is an aberration but no one has challenged

either of them, because it is discreetly done, it is

either Alase is unconcerned or ignorant, she cooks,

serves and pack the remnants though does not really

care who eats the food.

Oloja has a walking stick specially carved for him it is I

form of a snake, it is brown and shining, although he is

a young man but he carries it about, it has become a

habit just like the way he clears his throat at the

beginning of a conversation. May you go older than

your ancestors Arewa looked back it was one of the

kings emissary that climbed the pavement while the

remaining two were kneeling on the open groundcarrying the beaded stick ah how are you, the Lions

husband of all mountains, it is nice to see you, hope

the king is well?

Yes he is reigning replied the kings emissary, e

wants to consult with you urgently concluded the

emissary Oloja instructed the emissary to inform the

king that he would be with him in a jiffy and they

departed.


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Oloja went into his inner room and when he came out,

he was in a woven white buba and sokoto (mens local

blouse and trousers)and he also wrapped himself with

a white woven wrapper which he ended and tied at his

shoulder, he wore a shoe made of beads, with beaded

neck and arms, he called Arewa and two slaves ran to

the backyard to deliver the message, Arewa followed

the slaves into Olojas presence, I have left for the

kings palace, Akowa is in the inner hall, stay in thehall till I come back the patients do not need you to

eat their meal.

Yes my Lord Arewa replied as she began to sing his

praise, you killed the man that showed you the right

path so that he will not direct your enemy through the

right path too, your path will never be slippery

thank you Arewa, Oloja thought about this woman

who makes him feel that with her there wouldnt have

been any need for a second wife, he realized why her

mother made him promise her before death

overpowered her.

Oloja knew why he was being summoned to the

presence of the king, the adage says he who knows

his fault will not remain long on his knee begging, he

walked out of his compound while his entourage


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followed him, Oloja must not work alone, at least ten

slaves will move whenever he moves, the crossed to

the other side of the road because the kings palace is

a walking distance adjacent to his palace.

The main market which is opened daily is beside the

kings palace but opposite Olojas palace, as he

stepped out, women and men from the market

community left their wares to greet him, they started

praising him from his mothers house to his fathers,

some gave gifts to his slaves while those who were

singing his praise received coins, he sprayed their

forehead with coins, those who were not on seat were

called to come and behold the handsome Oloja who

seldom come out of his palace except on very special

occasions, but his wives are aware that there are

times when he meets with the high chiefs in themiddle of the night.

This is the usual attitude of his people which he has

not made any attempt to stop because secretly he

enjoys the popularity which had not waned in years.

Oloja is a very respectable man, loved by the masses

and easily accessible to his people, and he was the

only man who had a credible relationship with the


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white catechists, he is a loyal black man, assigned to

the Catholic Church by the king.

Oloja believed that at last the white mans language

would be useful in reading the Bible, but after the

Kings several trips to the white mans land, he was

able to convince Oloja that the white mans language

has several other benefits than reading the Bible and

jotting case sessions. The white mans language can

open doors of opportunities. And the whole clan know

that Oloja understands the tongue of a white man

although when they chose to speak through their nose

while they decide to close their mouth.

The Kings palace is larger and spacious than Olojas,

it has several halls and conference chalets, it is

painted in white, there is a very big but local museum

of antiquities in front of the palace and it shares its

wall with the only primary school in the town, and on

the left side is the main market, it is a taboo to point

to the kings palace, and it is the common belief that

anyone that pointes to the kings palace will have

leprosy, for this singular reason most people dread

passing through the palace in case they mistakenly

point to the palace.


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The people believed that education is the cause of the

kings unfriendliness but with Olojas behaviors has

debunked such notion. Even with the white mans

tongue, Oloja remains friendly and approachable

The king was seated all alone in his personal living

room, this is meant for him and his favorite wives,

Oloja is privileged to share some of his privacy by the

virtue of his rank.

Oloja entered into the living room and greeted the

king,

Leeji wa gbo, (my king, you will live long)

Leeji wa to, (long life)

Wa joye ba e (you will reign on you fathers throne)

Pe pe pe (many years)

He knelt down in front of king, and the king prayed forOloja too before he started the discussion, Oloja, I

saw a telegram from the queens land, the customers

requested your presence, as I have already told you ,

they refused to pay your money and I have decided

that you accompany me on my next journey . it will

take several days on the high sea but the gods are on

the sea with us, the snake moves simply, no harm

shall befall us, you have to make preparation towards

the journey, save some money there are lots of


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beautiful things to buy, no one else will accompany us

on the journey but make sure you travel with thick

clothing, the white mans land is very cold as I always

say, we shall meet once again before we take off.

Oloja as usual allowed the king to finish before he

showed his excitement and surprise at the same time

pretending he has not received the telegram but what

he did not understand is whether the king is aware

that he has received his own. I will make the

necessary arrangements, Oloja replied, both men

exchanged pleasantries before he left the kings

presence.

The king sat on his arm chair, the palace did no justice

to the beauty of the living room, it is so well decorated

that one can easily conclude that the king cannot miss

leaving the city to ascend his fathers throne. He wore

a pair of eye glasses, he rarely read without his

glasses.

He opened five envelopes and read the content one

after the other and smiled, he folded the envelopes

and dropped them in his drawer. These are four

scholarships opportunities in England only for the less

privileged who have excelled in their academic

pursuits, it is being sponsored from the kings alma


37/173

mater in England, he did it, he used his influence to

obtain this, no one except his children has used any of

the scholarship, not even his queens are aware of it,

they all believed he single handedly sponsored the

children abroad, this is what no man can do in Ale,

where children are raised by their mothers.

Which father will not want to be the in law of the king,

the white mans friend? He has never rejected a

woman, no culture will favour any king that does that,

he kept the envelopes in his drawer and walked into

the inner chamber where only the invited can enter,

even his queens cannot enter uninvited.


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CHAPTER 4

Oloja crossed from the kings palace into his own, he

went straight into his inner chamber, when he came

back, he has removed the woven wrapper he tied

around his body, he was bare footed, he sent a slave

girl to call Arewa, though she is aware that Arewa has

left the palace immediately Oloja crossed to the kings

palace but she could not face him to answer his next

questions after such revelation. She ran to the

backyard and came back to Oloja, father, she is not

around, and there is no clue as to where she went to,

Oloja sent for Iyale after the necessary greetings,

Oloja started I want your children registered in

school tomorrow, at the Local Authority Primary

School, I have instructed you time without numbers

but I am convinced that I am too small to giveinstruction in this palace but soon we shall know who

is driving (controlling) who

Oloja continued while Iyale listened attentively, a

behavior Oloja has leant to live with it in his

relationship with Iyale, she is ever attentive but will

never follow the instructions. chastising a child will

never snuff life out of the child and education is the

bedrock of any economy and a time is coming when

this farm work will not sustain the children, they will


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want more because their friends are learning new

innovation that will catapult those ones far away and

render the uneducated vulnerable to all sorts of

atrocities, they will be ashamed to queue wit their age

mates when they come back from the cities, because

they will have no contribution towards relevant

discussions not because they are daft but because the

y cannot speak the language of progress

Oloja wished Iyale would understand and accept his

advice.

Iyale thanked Oloja and was about to leave when Oloja

said These children must learn to read and write, I

have been speaking English for more than five years, I

have not contracted any disease and the language has

not blocked my nose.

Iyale bent down and thanked Oloja Yes my lord, I

have heard all you have to say my Lord

Do not say yes my lord and do your own wish by

packing your bag and baggage with your children to

the farm, you did that twice, then I was lenient but if

by tomorrow, I did not her that these children are

registered, I will summon your parents to the palace

here and you will be fined for disobedience Oloja

concluded, they will be in school tomorrow she added.


40/173

Iyale stood up and was about leaving when Oloja

asked her where is Arewa? se smilingly answered,

she has left immediately you turned your back, she

said she was going somewhere Oloja was angry but

just trying to contain his anger everywhere is

somewhere I want to know where everyone is, and

which slave follows the women to wherever they go,

always walking around the town like god of thunder

Iyale volunteered she will explain the reason behindthe action, because she will soon introduce another

culture in to the palace and the younger women will

follow in her footstep too Oloja went into his inner

room awaiting the arrival of Arewa.

She did not return until late in the evening, everyone

had hinted her at the main gate of the palace that

Oloja has been waiting and shouting, she walkedslowly into her room, the room is adjacent to Olojas

inner chamber, she changed her clothing and came

into Olojas presence, he was eating in silence his

dining stool is made of clay adjoining the passage

between his chamber and the royal kitchen, his

favorite meal, pounded yam and vegetable soup.

Arewa greeted him but here was no response. Shewaited are you counting the number of bolus, do you

need to hear me shout before you begin your


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confession, I am greeting you my lord, answer first

Arewa said. Olojas burst in anger, I give instruction

and no one follows; now you are standing like a

statute counting my food

Arewa was smiling so my question has no answer

Arewa, you are the white mother hen who does not

know herself as the elder Oloja you are offending me

again, I am a just woman, I told you that I will be

visiting Baba Iroko today and you consented, it is all

because of you to inquire about the journey, if your

road is smooth or not and now look out how you are

paying evil for good, always looking for trouble, when

we agree on certain issues you will come back to

change it, now I must not tell the women you are

travelling but should tell them I will be visiting Baba

Iroko, I know what is good and not eh kind of womanwho will wait for husband before paying for locust

beans Oloja washed his hands with water and some

ashes and rubbed the water in his hands on the two

ankles and he cleared his throat.

Super woman who will not wait for husband before

building her house, you are trying to lord yourself over

me in this house because of the preferential treatment

I give you, it is not new, every polygamous man has

his favorite Oloja continued do not forget that you


42/173

are like every other woman in this place, everyone has

one complain or the other about me and the overt

show of affection, who knows if it is true that you have

cast a spell on me that makes me restless whenever

you are not around.

Oloja sat down again and looked at Arewa, I look for

you as if you are a doll Arewa, I want to control

myself, I have married numerous women before you

and by now I should be able to control myself, please

eat the leftover and pack the plate Arewa washed her

hand, the left over is a chunk of meat and started

eating it was prepared by Alase.

Oloja continued, but you are not deaf, give me a

reasonable answer to why I am always thinking about

you

Arewa smiled as usual and swallowed the meat I her

mouth, I will give you a credible answer when you tell

me why I always run helter-skelter that you may live

long, why I am always afraid that you will die and my

joy will be short lived, release me from your spell, you

are not my first husband either

Oloja was looking at Arewa as if she was on a stage;

he was convinced that the love is so different from

what he felt for other women in his life.


43/173

He laid on his bed, he is the only person in the palace

who sleeps on mattress, he bought it in the capital

city, tough it is his intention to buy a new one for

Arewa but it will spark jealousy in the palace, it is

really expensive to buy more than thirty mattresses

for different women, only the king can afford to do

that. Arewa, packed the plates and let us discuss what

you heard from Baba Iroko.

Arewa smiled, this is the time she has been waiting

for, after your allegations, you will have to dip your

hand into my mouth to force those words out, you

charmed me with some love potion and now you are

accusing me of using charm on you, , but in a jiffy I

swallowed my words, I vowed never to marry you for

locking up my parents in the local jail you later down

played it by giving them a piece of land at jugbe, but Iwant you to realize that all you are saying now are

recorded on y left palm, will not use it to eat Although

it was not funny but Oloja smiled, Arewa, you dont

know your mates again, you are writing things on your

left palm when you cannot even hold a chalk perfectly

and do not know how to position a plate, or are you

now the local letter writer? You refused to attend thelocal catechist class even your children are not in

school, how come you know how to write utterances


44/173

Oloja laughed Arewa did not take the joke lightly, but

she replied him, Kiki refused to enroll in school, her

other sister followed too but by Gods grace, the new

baby I am expecting will enroll immediately his feet

touch the ground, Oloja laughed roaring again, the

ones with legs on the ground refused enrolment, is it

the one you have not seen that would be enrolled?

Look at all of you here, you will press breast milk in a

up for a five year old, please I do not want to bedragged into a meaningless discussion, what did Iroko

tell you?

Arewa sat on the edge of the bed, you are playing

upon my intelligence, you did not send me to Baba

Iroko, and you are fond of exercising supreme

authority over everyone under your roof. Oloja is

losing his patience but he cannot force words out ofArewa, Thank god it is people under my roof, so as

long as you are under my roof, you are under my care

and my authority, Arewa why the lack of respect, you

can look at me straight in the face and tell the fact, it

is not done not in this house, it was only my mother,

who could do that, you are not afraid of me Arewa

was now confused but must explain reasons behindher actions. Oloja I was brought up to respect myself

and others, the highest regard is for you that is why I


45/173

agreed to marry you, I have swore never to marry any

Oloja again, I did not enjoy the first two marriages,

they died too soon Oloja cut him do you think I will

die very soon just like the ones you married? Is that

why you are always afraid of my love advances? Oh

no Oloja, you have a full house with more that n thirty

wives and more to come, and you know how many

pots of water you are fetching, they are not yet filled

up and you are disturbing me. Arewa, it is not all potsthat are used to fetch water, some are for decoration

those ones no water must spill in them, they are to be

pampered and given out as a gift to other men who

will value them, Arewa, you did not escape the first

moon, soon you will put to bed while so many are out

there I have not knocked there door and will not

Arewa knows where the topic is leading to, shedecided to relay Baba Irokos message baba said that

you should make some sacrifice to the mouth, that is

all So that is all you spent five hours to hear Oloja

asked before an unusual silence that covered the

room as if an angel passed by, followed by a repeat of

what she said by Oloja sacrifice to the mouth is that

all, what sacrificial items are needed for that? Nothingreplied Arewa, just watch what you say nothing to

buy but I add that you should also watch what you eat


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on the journey, may the gods see us through, I will

always visit him but next month is my month and my

mother is old, there is not much assistance she can

do. My suggestion is that you should move to your

mothers house till I come, now that you are talking

about your mothers age, do I remember that you

might not be able to assist Akowa. I will always pray

for you he concluded.

Arewa left the room with the dirty plates.

CHAPTER 5

Arewa laid on a sack spread the floor, it was her time

and with no assistance she started some incantation,

mixed some herbs and pour it in her throat, she

swallowed the mixture in a gulp, within a few minutes

she gathered enough strength, removed a very tiny

gourd that is tied with a rope from her wall, the gourd

was filled with some liquid, Arewa poured the liquid

mixture on the floor, she continued with the

incantation and sat on the sack again, she pushed

hard and in minutes the baby was out followed by a


47/173

the placenta. Arewa brought out a fraction of snail

shell from a bag hung on the wall and cut the

placenta; she called Kiki who was sitting in front of the

room waiting for her mother.

Arewa instructed Kiki to call Iyale, because the baby is

here but not crying, Kiki ran outside to call her. Iyale

followed her immediately, ah Arewa do you want to kill

yourself? The baby is not crying, hit the floor three

times, he will cry, I need some pap (corn flour), I am

so weak You should not endanger your life, I saw you

come in here less than an hour ago, after washing

those cloths, you were tired already, why did you do

this to yourself? Iyale hit the floor three times and the

baby screamed, immediately Kiki came in with a big

calabash cut like the shape of a basin, bring some

palm oil too Iyale shouted, the room was filled withslaves and reborn immediately Kiki announced to the

people, but Iyale turned them back. Arewa was served

with hot pap congratulations, ah within a few minutes!

You are a strong woman, nobody is aware of this in

the conference hall; she said Arewa told her to bath

for the baby in the small conference room. Kiki went

out to bring in some hot water.

Iyale poured some oil on her hand and rub it on the

babys body from head to toe, before scrubbing him;


48/173

the child cried an Iyale said he must be scrubbed well

because of body odour. Kiki assisted in giving her the

needed items, Arewa had already sowed different

types of cloth with her scarves and some pieces of her

cloth and the baby was laid beside Arewa who had

had her bath too with very hot water. Iyale instructed

Kiki to boil some water for Arewa, she used a piece of

cloth to mop her body Arewa screamed as Iyale

pressed every corner of her body, it was hot water andpainful. She made some cotton seed soup immediately

and forced Arewa to drink is like water, it has healing

herbs too, Iyale confirmed. Iyale sang for the baby,

omo mi o akurubete kube (my beautiful child)

omo mi o akuru bte kube

ku we ku ma raso fun (if you live, I will buy many

dresses for you)ku we ku a ma ra ogba okun (if you live I will buy a

beautiful belt)

ogba okun yo mu so ma loja

eru mbara ni o pon o pe o (my slave will strap you to

her back)

akurubete kube

my Lord is not around to see his child, so much likehim, the lion will always give birth o a lion this is

small lion, Iyale concluded before Arewa burst into


49/173

tears, stop the tears, the baby will suck tears in the

breast and it is bad for his health corrected Iyale.

Arewa continued but Iyale did not stop her again, it is

tears of joy, let it flow, no woman deliver Olojas son

and not cry, he is second to none said Iyale.

Male or female, I am too tired to talk said Arewa, a boy

replied Iyale, a child is a child in Olojas house, you did

not even take a look at the child, Oloja is the only man

in Ale who believes that a child is a child irrespective

of the sex, no preference and the gods has blessed

him with many beautiful and healthy ones, no sickness

no disability and strangely, all the children work in the

farm at the same time and same pace and our slogan

is, a child is a child though most women still prefer to

give birth to a son Iyale looked back to see that

Arewa has faced the wall and slept off, she placed thewell fed baby beside her mother and tip toed out of

the room.

Kiki has already spread the news to all the people in

the palace, but Iyale cautioned them not to disturb

mother and child everyone was now seated in the

biggest conference hall where Oloja entertains his

chiefs, they know that if Oloja were to be around, he

would have declared free food for all according to his


50/173

tradition. The people named her Bidemi because Oloja

has travelled and a wife has given birth in his absence.

Arewa is an unusual woman, this she exhibits in her

character, although well respected but everyone is still

in doubt because of the belief that she has some

queer behaviors, what if she is a witch? That is the

general song in other womens mouth; but nobody can

slit her throat to know the source of the strange

character.

The journey to the white mans land took them three

months, Arewa has two major duties to contend with:

nursing of the new arrival and the day to day running

of Olojas palace and these she performed to the best

of her ability while Kiki took over the care of the less

privileged, mentally ill and the nursing mothers in the

palace. During conference on market days, Arewa

settles disputes among the clans and villagers, the

provision among clans and villages, the provision of

comfort for her husbands households and the chiefs,

this really gives her the opportunity to utilize her

leadership skills and in no time people were coming

from different cities to seek her assistance on how her

leadership skills that in no time, people were coming

from far and near to seek her assistance especially

learning how to cook soup that cures barrenness, it is


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on record that no barren woman eat the soup and not

conceive except it is her destiny or the gods are angry

and if it is the latter there are sacrifices to be made,

appease the gods and she will be blessed with the

fruit of the womb. Her special consultant has been

Baba Iroko, if he does not want her to lay her hands on

an issue, she always think of when Baba Iroko will rest

with his ancestor because the vacuum will be hard to

fill; potent herbalists are hard to come by becausethey have pitched their tents with strange beings in

thick forests.

Arewa walked through the large palace hall to the

backyard where women who came for ante-natal were

waiting for her, she greeted them and they were on

their knees, she handed over Bidemi to Kiki who has

become her small mother. She brought out someleaves and herbs from a sack, the soup will be for

these three women, any woman from Ado must not

eat from the soup, this is Nene, it grows under water

hyacinth, it cools the womb, this is called cat fish, it is

another coolant too, but these other seven leaves and

roots will be set underneath the pot of soup, the local

pot must be used and when you finish cooking, placethe hot pot directly in a cold water, the underneath

must not touch the floor until you finish eating the


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soup, add locust bean and salt as ingredients too, eat

while standing and do not converse with anyone while

eating the soup, make sure you offer silent prayers,

the gods are interested in the intent of man. Lastly,

stretch your hand to children and pregnant women

during this period, may you come with your children

this time next year. They all sat down and she

prepared the soup; she is so skilled in her midwifery

duties. Kiki sat beside her, watching, she could repeatall her mother said.

This is a lecture she has listened to ever since she

could hear and it has become her mothers daily

routine.

Arewa moved to the section of nursing mothers, there

were only two women and they exchanged

pleasantries, the women sat down after greeting

Arewa on both knees, Arewa prepared the cure for

convulsion, it is a black powder, she uses the powder

for almost every child, convulsion is of two types, she

explained, the worst form is the crab convulsion, it

causes midnight cries, degbe leaf and crab is the

solution, roast the crab until it is crunchy black and

pour degbe in to the pot do not stop stirring them

after which you pour on the stone to grind, Kiki will

pluck more degbe tomorrow morning and you should

buy the local crab at the market, for it to be more


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potent, gather the local maize cobs, break them into

two equal parts and remove the foam-like white tissue

in them dry it in the sun or by the fire side and add it

to the ingredients make sure it is dry and grind also

mix the powder with pap and force the child to drink

it, children love sweet food but it is the bitter food in

this world that is advantageous, always remember

that the mouth loves sweet while the stomach wants

bitter herbs Arewa concluded.

Arewa divided the little portion she has among the

nursing mothers and advised them to buy more from

the market; she is very different every other herbalist

will only give the already made mixture in order to

conceal the content. crab that moves in the bellies of

these children will die immediately they swallow this

mixture and the children will excrete the crab you will

see them in hard substance when such children

defecate, do not be afraid, the children have

overcome the crab she explained.

Kiki listened attentively but will not stop to wondering

how those crabs enter into the childrens stomach, a

mystery she will never unravel. She continued to

learn with keen interest all the intricacies of midwifery

from her mother with keen interest although it is rare

in the town to see a child learning her mothers trade,


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everyone believes that it comes naturally but Arewa is

strange, Kiki knows that she must learn.

Ironically, Arewa is admired and envied at the same

time by all, especially her mates in the palace, this

has turned to a rage of jealousy among the young

wives but this has not changed her affection for them

or their respect for her Oloja has always accused her

of struggling to protect her rivals at her own expense

Oloja always warn her that definitely a vulture willsnatch Arewas head while protecting her mates.

Olojas journey created a vacuum that can only be

filled by Oloja himself, it began to take its toll on

Arewa, she has mixed feelings about the journey and

will not stop telling everyone that cares that she is at

alert, Oloja is not in the kings good book, his pretense

is much still no one believe her, their relationship was

not cordial but he taught Oloja the way forward, they

are the only people who could read and write except

the teachers and the Reverend fathers, then the

young learners too, it is so strange , why is he doing

good to Oloja and still envying the outcome of his own

effort, she is always amazed about Alales character

yet Baba Iroko assured her that Oloja will return

safely.


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CHAPTER 6

Alele and Oloja arrived safely but unceremoniously as

they left, it must be the secrecy for fear of witches and

wizard who would ride with them in the ship and

waylaid them on the journey back home, Oloja

entered his palace in the middle of the night,

everyone was asleep when he entered her room,

guards do not sleep at night because they must watch

the seven entrants to Olojas palace, they were the

first to welcome him though, When Arewa heard the

knock, it was unusual, Oloja will never knock his wifes

door, she jumped into his arm, My lord, oh Baba Iroko

thank you, he said you will come back safely but that

you refused to make the sacrifice to mouth that it will

cost you years of suffering, but I told him that you will

make the sacrifice, how was the journey? Oloja sat bythe edge of the bed, watching Bidemi, Oloja cleared

his throat, he is a boy Arewa answered smilingly yes,

he is asleep

Oloja moved closer to Arewa and spoke into her

earlobe as if someone was listening Arewa we must

leave this night, to where? she asked you are just

coming in, and now telling me that we must leave in

the middle of the night where are we going? Who is

pursuing us? Arewa there is no time for answers, Alele


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accused me of treasonable felony, that I want to

overthrown his kingdom Arewa stood up you are

making a mistake, if that is his accusation then we

must sit down and talk over the issue, invite all the

kings in the Western region, we have equal right, even

if it is a conflict it will be settled, we settled for others,

how come the settlers are now the scatterers? Arewa

it is so surprising because, it is a well now fact that my

ancestors cannot contest for kingship talk less ofoverthrowing Alale yes Oloja, your lineage has ruled

from the origin of Ale, Oloja stood from the edge of the

bed and was about to walk out, Arewa, you are like a

man, there is no time for deliberation but you must do

as I say this middle of the night, move your valuables,

call the women, inquire from the m, those who will like

to follow me, it is not mandatory, they have freedom

of choice and for those who will prefer to wait behind,

the graves must be neatly kept and remind them to

use cows dung to rub the graves every weekend most

especially my fathers grave, I believe in the support

of my ancestors, I will come back home, I will not be

buried in a strange land, Arewa burst into tears, Oloja

castigated her, so you were expecting my corpse

because this should have been what to expect form

you if Ale packed my corpse in a bag Oh no Oloja, I

was expecting a situation whereby every indigene will


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meet you at the capital city and we will sing and

dance, with lots of gifts for everyone Oloja replied I

am alive Arewa continued weeping and cursing Ale

and the white men who she believed set up Oloja.

Oloja was becoming impatient with Arewa, I want you

to stop cursing Ale, it is an abomination, anywhere

there is a wall Ale will hear whoever cursed him

except there is no wall there, every wall works for Ale,

please reverse the curse in this instant before thegods will send your curse aback to you and your

children, the gods are the only ones who are

permitted to judge Ale, be careful Arewa, Oloja

warned.

Arewa handed Bidemi to Oloja he woke up while his

mother r was crying, Oloja looked at him with

fondness, an exact replica of his father, she walkedout of the room.

Oloja wept.

Arewa rang the gong it is an unusual method of calling

everyones attention especially in the middle of the

night, within minutes the news has spread like

wildfire, the slaves cannot keep sealed lips when they

saw Oloja entering his palace empty handed. Arewa

addressed the wives, at the stage in the largest hall


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she relayed Olojas message and the reason behind

fleeing at night .

Iyale was the first to talk, she climbed the stage and

thanked the gods for bringing Oloja back but would

not leave Ale because she was in charge of childrens

enrolment in Olojas palace, Arewa was surprised by

Iyales decision other women gave different reasons

too but those who are still young agreed to

accompany Oloja. At the end she laughed at her own

foolishness when she was asked about the destination,

she forgot to inquire form Oloja where in particular the

whole family is heading to.

It is hard to be faced with the problem of being

banished from your land, migrating by force with

immediate family-like a whole town like immediate

family, leaving in the middle of the night means that

she will not see her family members, will not bid her

parents farewell and if they die, will not be privileged

to close their eyes, witness the burial, or pour ashes

on their coffin. she began to understand what she is

faced with. Nine women decided to follow her; they

separated themselves from the rest of the women and

joined her on the stage.


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Arewa dispersed the assembly, came down from the

stage and whispered certain instructions into iyales

ears, and instructed the nine women who volunteered

to follow Oloja to pack their valuables and be ready in

thirty minutes, she opened the stage door that led to

her apartment, right behind the doorway is Oloja

carrying the baby, he had been listening to all the

women and the reasons, Arewa knelt in front of Oloja,

it is a taboo my Lord, Oloja must not weep, I havelived with some Oloja, never see any one of them shed

tears even on the death bed, Olojas are the strongest

men on earth , be brave, be strong, may you never

disappoint your ancestors, Oloja laid his hand on

Arewa head, may you always find succor in me,

Arewa and your child will reign in my stead Oloja

drew her from the floor. She walked down into her

room, we must pack immediately, all the children are

awake now, Oloja entered his inner chamber, Arewa

followed him immediately, she was afraid, my Lord,

do not behave like a man today, do not come here

unaccompanied, no not act like those brave men, we

need you, your family is a town, rule over us, I cannot

carry the burden Oloja looked at Arewa, I will never

commit suicide, because of Ale, I am fighting a just

battle exercise no fear about me, when I look back I

see reason s why I must win the battle, without me the


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battle is lost Arewa packed all Olojas valuables and

he said My ancestors, I will continue the battle, but

may Ale reap whatever he sows he came out and

walked directly to the conference hall and passed

through the small door that leads to the burial ground,

he started reciting incantation like prayers whosoever

says I will not return to reign on my fathers throne will

be dead before I return he spat on the grave

Oloja entered the largest conference, all his people

have converged in the hall, his freeborn and slaves,

for the first time, he greeted them but did not mention

why and where they are migrating, three out of the

nine wives have decided to stay behind, the youngest

wife; Akowas daughter changed her mind, while the

remaining two young girls left for their parents hone to

bid them good bye but Oloja decided to leave thembehind.

They moved en masse.

As they journeyed out of the town, Oloja was walking

behind, Arewa strapped Bidemi on her back and

walked beside Oloja, We are going to Ado, that is

where my ancestors migrated from, we will be well

received by the people of the land, I have never seen

them before, but my father told me when he was alive


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that, there is still a place to place a load whenever you

are wearied, I will place it on my back and move on, it

is called life.

They journeyed towards Bini.

The journey took several days and at every village

they stopped to rest, the village head will entertain

them, strangely, he refused to divulge the reason for

his banishment, but he promised them of returning toAle in due course. Oloja settles conflicts among the

people as he journeys towards his new town, he was

presented with gifts, but at night, his men will sleep in

turn while others watch over the rest. The more he

rest along the road, the more the journey becomes

cumbersome because village chiefs and villagers who

know the worth of Oloja usually add to his loads.

Arewa restrained herself from inquiring about the

reasons for being excommunicated from and sent on

exile Alele, the journey to the white man has caused

untold hardship and unplanned journey out of their

root. Queensland journey uprooted Oloja and his

precious ones from the land learnt to cherish. They

have succeeded in breaking the bond among her

people, she feared confusion, the white man can

never be understood, who can understand the white


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mans language like a white man, they bite their

tongue severally before they finish a conversation.

Arewa believes that, Oloja trusts people too much,

that is why he is suffering in silence, for years he has

been exporting palm kernel, but there is no payment

now that is ting palm kernel, this is his turn to collect

his money that joined hands together to banish him

from his roots and his people, pounded yam on credit

is very delicious but to pay the debt is always another

problem, pounded yam you cannot return, the money

you cannot release. She was startled by Olojas call,

he break into her thought, we are approaching Ado, it

is the next village, we have been on our feet for more

than two weeks, yet the children are not sick, the gods

are with us, Arewa, do you promise to stand by me?

Arewa was startled by the question; you have knownme these few years you can judge by your intuition

Sit down Arewa, the entourage can move on

unaccompanied now Arewa cut some Akintola leaves,

removed the baby she strapped on her back and sat

by the roadside with the baby on her lap, she begin to

breast feed as she listens attentively to Oloja.


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Oloja cleared his throat, we were on board in a

mighty ship, I was at alert all through the journey

because of Baba Irokos earlier warning

Yes as long as you listen to his instructions, I know it

will be well with you Arewa confirmed

Oloja continued and according to Ales instruction

too, that I must wear very thick cloth and many

underclothes, it was true, the weather was very bad,and I had cold during those days, so it was easy to

deceive the king with my layers of cloth like that of a

cockroach, I secretly tied a bag of skin cloth, on my

neck before wearing layers of cloth like a cockroach

Oloja searched through the goatskin bag he was

carrying across his shoulder and brought out a bottle

like shape leather bag.

it was a gift from my father, he used it as water bag

when he was alive, I tied it on my neck with a twain

and on one Sunday night there was an unplanned

party for all the royal fathers and crew members

Arewa cut him short ah! a party in the ship, so bad

you have not been able tot narrate the events of this

journey to us, thank god that your heart is lighter

now


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Oloja smiled and continued there is no time to

discuss actually I was afraid about our safety and now

that we are in a safe distance from Ale, I can divulge

some information about him and the journey

Ale brought a special wine from his travelling bag

during the party, the wine was new, sealed and

handed it to me, I thanked him and collected it, it is

not unusual of him but I was afraid, though it was

sealed but Baba Irokos warning rang in my head, I

will turn my back towards him whenever I want to sip

the wine I was pretending to be high I did not use a

cup either and I was moving from one location to the

other, it is a very big ship, almost the size of a town

Ah Arewa shouted, the white man is a witch, a ship

as big as a town!

Listen to me Arewa, Oloja warned and continued no

one was able to detect that when I turn backwards, I

will pour the wine in my skin bag hid underneath my

chest, in no time, I poured all the wine from the bottle

into the leather bottle and staggered into my cabin

Arewa was watching him with rapt attention as he

continued his narration, when I got to apartment tied

the bag an hanged it on the wall, to my greatest

surprise, Ale was the unusual visitor in the following


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day, he has never entered my room during the journey

until that morning, it was my duty to wake him every

morning with praise but that day I could read the

transparent fear in his face, we exchanged greetings

and he left immediately, fear gripped me and I shut

the door, ran to the bag I hung on the wall, I shook the

bag there was no indication that there was any liquid

in it , this was a bag in a room I consciously locked the

door before going to bed because my intuition waswarning me, the wine had turned to needles for

sowing clothes, it was like a dream.

Arewa was astonished, and could not hide it; she burst

into curse on Ale, and you kept this to yourself, ah

Oloja you are a murderer for allowing a murderer to

remain alive?

Oloja held her hand, do not curse the king, the gods

will curse you too, if I have revealed my experience

you would have convinced me to change my plan, but

I never believed that education has no impact on him,

you know my mother told me a story about his father

tortoise that he used to send on errand but my father

refuted the claim and that is the past, Ale used to hear

the voice of the tortoise but, he has never seen or

heard its voice, now that we have an educated king, I


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believe that his ideas are no longer parochial like men

of old

Arewa was dumbfounded at the story I heard that his

ancestors were very brave but I thought his

educational background would have erased all those

barbaric acts from his memory but with all indications,

Ale is worse that his father. He concluded.

She held her son firmly and tried to conceal her anger,so all his visits to Reverend fathers and the Bible has

no direct or indirect impact on his life

Arewa, the Bible has not eroded the evil in his vein, he

is as wicked as his fathers, he is equally a dangerous

man because she wanted to hear the whole story,

she kept calm and urged Oloja to continue.

So what did you do when you found out? Arewa asked

him, I was shaking like a jelly replied Oloja, all my

bravery vamoosed and I kept wondering how I should

have handled it till today, Ale is the second in

command to all the gods we are serving, they can do

him no harm unless had reached a consensus by then,

ordinary man would have been planted six feet deep

but they decided otherwise, I was afraid Arewa, I was

with nothing except my Bible and the charm for

immediate transfer to a safe place in case of


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emergency, I did not use it because the last time I

used the charm, it hung me on a tree, I was saved by

my collar that suspended me on a tree, its branch

almost pierced my navel, I only felt it is better to hang

on a tree than to be fed to a shark, death is always

death no one has a choice but we pray that god grant

us a peaceful style of death

That is the major disadvantage of that charm, no

actual destination, it can even land you directly in the

mouth of a shark, but it is better when used on land

not on the sea or in thick forest explained Arewa and

continued, so it is the case of the goat we rare and

rely upon has given birth to a male, therefore

procreation is impossible and what we have in surplus

is its offensive odor Arewa concluded.

Oloja continued his narration, as for the Bible, I do

not really understand its effectiveness in the face of

impending danger, it is a process in itself that does

not understand emergency, you pray till Jesus decides

to answer

Arewa, I just do not understand anything about that

religion and a savior you will call and not respond in

the face of a deadly attack


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Please do not talk about that religion, it is a clean

spirit that moves everywhere, Oloja warned and

continued

I kept to my room throughout the journey, we were

watchful of each other; I breathe a sigh of relief when

we reached the harbor. It is a long story Arewa, Oloja

said.

Continue, I am all ears Arewa confirmed her interest

We were welcomed by the royal emissary who took

us to the hotel reserved for us, I was so much afraid

that I began to suspect every move of Ale, as I kept

watch over him, he kept on poke nosing into my affair,

those men were good and honest, I made some friend,

that is another side of the story, a friend I made is the

Manager of the kernel company, he had alreadypurchased a building in my name the heart of

Queensland, he refused to pay my money to Ale, he

was skeptical of him from the beginning.

Ah, so those people are good, I have offended their

creator Arewa screamed

He took me to the house, gave me all the necessary

documents and I kept them in a vault in Bank of

England, definitely the children can also travel abroad


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to study or for holiday, my main concern is their lack

of interest in education and the mothers over

protectiveness Oloja said.

Arewa cuts him short, it is the teachers fault, they

will send our children to farm while parents will work

alone yet their cane indicates the level at which the

Documents

AS IT WAS FINAL