IGBO CULTURE. OBADA FESTIVAL IN NSULU, NIGERIA

Obada Festival in Nsulu
BY IKEGWUE E. A

NSULU is one of the towns at Isialangwa-North local Government Area of Abia State. It shares boundaries with Ntigua at the West, UmuohialIkwuano at the North, Akwa- Ibom State at the NorthEast, Obingwa local council area at the East and Isialangwa-South at the South.The people are mainly farmers who engage in the production of kola-nuts, Palm oil, oranges among others. The predominant language is Ngwa with a slight difference from the one spoken by the surrounding other Ngwa villages that's the reason it is called Nsulu dialect. Nsulu person would say "we nde" meaning "them" while someone from Ntigha and Ngwaukwu would say "we lile" to also mean them.

Abada festival

The Nsulu people have well-cherished traditional festivals among which is Abada. This festival is used to showcase maidens between the ages of (16-18) ripe for marriage and to subsequently send them off to the homes of their lucky husbands.

This festival was celebrated every five years either in October or November. This is when the rains have subsided. They choose five years for the festival- to allow those given out in marriage by their parents at the age of twelve years to get to sixteen years at least before they were given out to their husbands.

Preparation for the festival was in stages. First the Amala (council of elders) will meet at the village square not less than six weeks before the festival. At the meeting, application for participation was made by the parents (father) of the girls that were due for marriage that season. This application was done in the form of presenting one jar of palmwine called "Atuma Akwau" with four pieces of kola-nuts. The father would first salute the elders after presenting the items, which is laid on the floor, he will make his intention known, that is, his desire to have his daughter participate in the festival. The name(s) of the daughter will be mentioned. It should be noted that the father of the participant must be an indigene: The mother must have been properly married.

She was not put in the family way before getting married. And both of them have not offended the gods of the land for example engaging in abortion or stealing. Though it is extremely rare for application not to be approved, because before the parents would apply they must have known this condition as stated earlier, so if they had offended the gods, there was no need to apply. Also during this period, the whole village becomes a beehive of activities.

Youths between the ages of 12 and 16 were responsible for clearing the roads leading to the village square and other roads that connect the town with other towns and villages under the supervision of some elders.

During this period, the native drummers would not be left out, as they too would be practicing towards the festival at night after their meals. Suitors who may have found whom to marry would visit the home of their In-laws to be with gifts of wrapper which the girl may wear on the festival day and yam tubers meant for the girl's consumption, who is now restricted to "Irumgbede" (fattening room). 'This is meant to let the girl's parents know their intension to marry the girl. This is a good sign, signifying that those ladies that would participate have already got a suitor.

At the home of the participating ladies, the preparation was even more intense. Relations would be busy peeling melons as much as possible so as to be able to entertain large turn out of guests that would come visiting.

The lady to be showcased is usually not allowed outside as she is confined to the fattening room where she was decorated with "uli" (canwood) and only close relatives or maidens were allowed to see her. About three days to the festival, the young girl was inspected by women from her maternal home, who would now prepare her for the festival. An experienced craft woman applies a fresh application of uli mixed with "uhie" on the girl. On a second visit, the suitor who had concluded the marriage rites would visit with ranging from yam tubers to ornament like beads. This is to re-assure their in-laws to be that they were still interested. Although a lady might receive gift from her parents and members of her maternal home sanction more than one suitor, but only one.

The Village Square would be given a facelift. The place where the drummers would sit will be decorated with "omu". At each entrance to the square, which is also a linking road to the component quarters in the village called "Onuman"; cannon guns were placed to herald the arrival of visitors.

On the eve of the festival, middle aged men will after their dinner move about with the beating of drums, visiting the homes of the participating ladies. This visit was intended to congratulate the family and to felicitate with them. These group were given gifts like yam tubers, kolanut, and Ugba (prepared oil bean).

On the festival day, the participating ladies will then be given a final decoration with uli and beads of different sizes and colours will carefully be selected to bring out the beauty of the ladies. After eating a well-prepared meal, the ladies were escorted to the venue by relatives including young girls who may succeed them in the next five years. All ladies would have George wrapper worn round their waists. Upon arrival at the village ground, the cannons placed at the entrances to the square would be fired until the ladies had all arrived.

Elders from the component quarter's "onumara" who have converged at the middle of the square would pour libation to appease the ancestors of the participating ladies. It was believed that if the spirit was not appeased the lady, may risked not being picked by a suitor or loses a prospective suitor, and as such may never get married. After the pouring of libation, the ladies would move to the middle of the square and the crowd would cheer them. The drummer would begin playing their drums with the ladies dancing to the rhythm of the music.

The leader of the women who must have the title of "Emere-eme" and not Okpoo" would come out to formally hand over the ladies to the elder or village head who must be a titled man or was chosen by the council of elder to chair the festival for that season.

The ladies, after being received by the elders will now continue their dancing and intending suitors through their sister would move in and place a piece of George wrapper on the shoulders of the chosen lady. The crowd at this point would cheer and the father of the girl would fire his dance gun into the air to signify his approval. A suitor also picked up the showcased ladies who might not be lucky to have gotten a suitor on Abade festival days. However, if the father failed to fire his gun, the wrapper would be collected by the lady who placed it, and the drummers will quickly sing a song that would make jest of the young man.

Though this is a rare situation as this only happens when a young man from any of the surrounding towns just felt like taking part in the festival with no serious intention in mind. After sometime, the young suitors and their wives would dance together amid cannon shots. Both would then be escorted home for the final marriage rites. At the home of the girl's parents, both parties would be cited in the "ovu" (family sit out) where proper marriage rites would be performed. This was the time for bride price to be presented, blessed and paid in a wooden plate called "Okwandi ichie" the bride price is regarded as some thing very important. Therefore the Nsulu regard marriage as something that can only be terminated by death. After the payment of the bride price, the bride is formally sent off to the husband's house that Night after some entertainment.

The Abada festival which was designed not only to showcase young ladies for marriage, but also to send them to their husbands homes is now extinct due to the influence of western civilization as people now regard the whole process as unnecessary. But the payment of bride price is still cherished and practiced by the people.

-Ikegwu Executive Officer Administration discussed this topic at National War Museum Umuahia study group... recently

IGBO TONGUE TWISTERS AND TONE MARKING.

IGBO TONGUE TWISTERS

Nwanyi n'akwa akwa,
n'akwa akwa,
na okuko yiri akwa,
n'elu akwa,
o'kwara akwa,
di n'elu akwa.

Meaning:
The seamstress ( female tailor) is weeping or crying because a hen laid an egg on the finished outfit ( fabric/material) she left on the bed.

Akwa in this case means:
1. Fabric ( material, dress, cloth)
2. cry, weep.
3. Egg
4. Bed
5. Sew, sewing
6. Bridge ( over a body of water)

The word "akwa" takes on a new meaning with a change of the tone of pronunciation.

Meet Amara Marie Bassey. She sings Igbo songs.

Meet Amara Marie Bassey, 4 year old grand daughter of my best pal in secondary school, Chijioke Bassey ( nee Nwashili.)


Amara is my name-sake. I am Amala. She is Amara. The same name, different variations.


Amara (Amala) means Grace. Some go by the full name ----Amarachukwu or Amalachukwu--meaning God's Grace or The grace of God. My variation is actually----Nwa Amala,---- meaning A child of Grace.


Amara loves to sing songs her grand mother teaches her. Each time she visits her grandmother they call me, and she sings her favorite song for me. The song goes like this----

Amara Chukwu, bara uba n'ebe m' no.
Amara ya, bara uba n'ebe m'no.
Bara uba n'ebe m' no.

I always agree with her completely.

In English, that would be-----God's grace is abundant unto me or
I have an abundance of God's grace.

Amara sings other Igbo songs with her grand mother. Some of them are listed below.
Enjoy.
Nursery Rhymes
1.
Onye tiri nwa n'ebe akwa
Onye tiri nwa n'ebe akwa
Egbe tiri nwa n'ebe akwa
Weta uziza wete ose
Wete ama ngorore ofe
Ka umu nnunu lacha ya
K'okpo otutu kpogbue ha
O -O Egbe- njo

2.
Nwa enwe ndo, nwa enwe ndo
O - O -O
Nwa enwe ndo
Nwa enwe, i'gbada ani,
N'eso m gi
O- O- O
Nwa enwe ndo
Nwa enwe, i'gbago enu
N'eso m gi.
O-O-O
Nwa enwe ndo.


3.
On disobidience----

Muo biko, merem ebere
Muo biko, merem ebere
Na nne si kwa m' ejena
Na muo kwuchiri na onu uzo
Muo biko mere m ebere .

I will share more next week end. God bless.

DOWN MEMORY LANE. IGBO SCHOOL SONGS

DOWN MEMORY LANE. Elementary school days.


Going down memory lane of elementary school days in the typical Igbo village.
These were some of the songs we sang, you can teach your children. That will help in learning Igbo.

Akwukwo n'ato uto
Akwukwo n'ato uto
O n' afia aru na nmuta
Onye nwere ntachi obi,
O ga amuta akwukwo
M'oburu na nne ya na nna ya (nwe ego).
M'oburu na nne ya na nna ya (nwe ego).


These two were for dismissal.
1.
Anyi agbasago akwukwo
Anyi agbasago akwukwo
Ekene diri ndi nkuzi kuziri anyi akwukwo
Ekene diri ndi nkuzi kuziri anyi akwukwo

2.
Oge erue, oge erue mgbe anyi ji ana
Oge erue, oge erue mgbe anyi ji ana
(Teacher)Onye nkuzi, kua mgbirigba, kua mgbirigba k'anyi na,
(Tacher)Onye nkuzi , biko kua mgbirigba n'agu n'agu anyi, i'nugo?
Anyi g'ana, I n'ugo?
Agu n'agu anyi, oooo ------ amen---

----- and you dash out the door like a bullet, with your school box making loud noises with all the ( akpakaradingwom) inside it.

SING A SONG ----OLD SCHOOL DAYS

My children and I have always enjoyed the privilege of worshipping at the church pastored by one of the leading recording artists in Christian and Gospel Music. Clint Brown is Pastor of Faith World Center in Orlando, Florida. He focuses his talent on Praise and worship songs and has been spinning out top of the chart numbers over the years.

Going to church sometimes compares to going to a concert, the only difference being that it is usually free and then one gets a fantastic up lifting message to go with the concert. Occasionally, friends of the pastor from the music industry drop by the house to worship and that means that the congregation gets a free concert that Sunday. Memorable visitors include Andrae Crouch, Donny Mcllurlin, Cee Cee Winnan, Vicky Winnan, The Winnan brothers, Ron Kenoly, to mention a few. It is always a huge fun to be in church on such days.


Today, pastor Brown tried an approach which he had used in the past, but today he put a new touch to it. Backed by his awesome choir, he went old school, performing old songs which were secular, but fit very well into church. Once, they did a fantastic rendition of Lean on me which the congregation absolutely enjoyed.

Earth, wind and Fire was featured today and it was beautiful. The grooving went on for a while before he rendered a beautiful message on the paralytic who was brought through the roof to be healed. The friends of the paralytic had that much faith and their faith was honoured. His message was for people to hang around the friends and family who will go the extra mile to get them to the source. How beautiful!!!

This week as you go through the daily struggles of life, remember to "Sing a Song"



When you feel down and out
Sing a song,
it'll make your day
Here's a time to shout
Sing a song,
it'll make a way
Sometimes it's hard to care
Sing a song,
it'll make your day
A smile so hard to bear
Sing a song,
it'll make a way
Sing a song
Sing a song
Sing a song
Sing a song
Bring your heart to believing
Sing a song,
it'll make your day
Life ain't about no retrieving
Sing a song,
it'll make a way
Give yourself what you need
Sing a song,
it'll make your day
Smile, smile smile and believe
Sing a song,
it'll make a way
Sing a song
Sing a song
Sing a song
Sing a song

View Clint Brown's space @ www.myspace.com/clintbrownmusic

AIR RAID BETTY----DOWN MEMORY LANE.

Monday, September 8, 2008

AIR RAID BETTY----DOWN MEMORY LANE.
Betty, short for Elizabeth, was the name we picked for our new puppy during the war. Many dogs in those days were named after the enemies of the Republic. It was very satisfying to call those names and see a dog come running, tail wagging furiously.Betty was the best dog we ever had. We always had pets, cats, dogs pigeons and other domestic animals. From what I know now, Betty must have been a Cocker Spaniel mix, black and white with floppy ears and a brown spot over each eye. Her hair was not too long like a typical spaniel. Betty behaved almost like a human maybe because she was alwyas around humans especially children.
Many years later after I had left home and received news of Betty's death I had shed tears for her because she was almost like a little sister.I remember clearly when my Aunt Ifeoma brought the puppy to our house at Christmas. We, my siblings and I were very happy. The baby at the time was too big to be carried around or tied to the back with a wrapper. Schools were out because of the war and we didn't really have too much to do after doing farm work and chores. Playing with Betty was an excellent outlet. We carried her around like a baby,sometimes dressed in clothes. My younger siblings would tie her ears together with pieces of rags for ribbons. They tied her to the back with a wrapper like a baby and she would sit there, paws in the air patiently bearing it. If she was occupied on a back or laps, and somebody else wanted to get her down for another event, she would look as if to say-------"Can I finish with this assignment first?" and she would quietly go to the next rotation which could be doing a dance routine, twist or atilogwu. One of Betty's dance songs went like this ------- a-betty nwa m ---o hmm, nwa m-o hmm, and she would start doing the twist.

Betty did it all gracefully. She never complained. I think she really enjoyed being the center of attention. She got rewarded for her patience in a way because she always received food favours from people who tried to be her favourite human, and Betty played along very well.

Visitors who came to the house would exclaim----"Nkita Oyibo--" the name for foreign breeds of dogs, usually characterized by floppy ears, bushy tails and longer hair than the local pedigree which were looked down on and referred to as "Eke Uke" simply because they were local and easily available in markets like eke Uke. Those Eke uke would fetch a handsome sum of money where people know the value of pedigree dogs like Chihuahuas. Betty was a beautiful dog and she got spoiled quickly. She must have believed she was human. She took naps in all the beds in the house. If it rained and the brush was wet, she eased herself in the middle of the yard where she would not get wet and when it was noticed, she would take off with her head lowered and her tail between her hind legs, admitting her shame for what she did. Next time it rained, Betty did it again. It became well known that Betty hated getting wet. Getting to give her a bath was a chore which had to be done from time to time since she was indoors a lot and got in beds.

Being around humans so much, Betty picked up on many human habits. She was very smart and picked up on things quickly. She quickly learned that the big monsters in the air which occasionally came roaring out of nowhere caused a lot of anxiety and distress in humans. These bomber and fighter jets would come unannounced and drop bombs or spray bullets at houses, churches, market places, killing or hurting people from time to time.The sound of them always sent people scurrying for cover in bushes, against trees, under beds, tables or in bunkers. Very few families had bunkers. We usually ran inside and took cover under the big dining table or under the beds until the air raid was over.
Betty always picked up the sound a good minute or so before anybody heard it. She would sit up straight, move her ears like radars and once the sound was confirmed, she would start whimpering aloud to get attention. While doing this, she may wet herself or be trembling with fear, her tail between her legs. Once she got the attention she needed, she would wait for reaction which was usually dramatic. Whoever noticed that Bettywas trying to warn about an air raid usually raised an alarm, shouting and calling out for everybody to take cover. There would be desperate scrambling to get into the house and take cover. Those too far from the house would usually dive into the bushes or flatten themselves on a tree trunk if they were out in the open. Betty would then join the mad dash for safety.She loved to be closest to the wall under the bed or under the table.For some reason everybody felt safer inside the house which really did not make any sense because if the house was hit, it would have been over but who had time to think that way.
Betty would hang on when anyone tried to push her aside. Those were the only times I saw Betty get angry at family members and snap or growl with a desperate look in her eyes. Then all went quiet when the airplanes zoom back and forth doing their grizzly jobs. Desperate whispered prayers filled the air as explosion after explosion was heard sometimes alternated with the sound of sprayed bullets ----kpa- kpa- kpa- kpa- kpa- kpa--- followed by loud booms of explosives. Sometimes, the attacks went on for a while and they always sounded so close but they were usually miles away. Sometimes, the attackers would leave, reload and come back within minutes.Those were very stressful days.
Betty would remain calm as long as everybody was calm. If anybody got overwhelmed and started crying or praying out loud, Betty would start howling and increase the volume to match the crying or prayer.The reaction was always----- " Betty, mechie onu, osiso or Betty, com'on shut up." That would stress her even more and she would whimper really loud and look around from face to face as if looking for comfort. Her eyes would turn red. I learned later that dogs did not shed tears but the eyes would turn red when they would actually be crying. After the air raid, and the coast was clear, Betty would be very happy and go around from person to person wagging her tail vigorously almost as if to congratulate everybody for having survived the ordeal.---
To be continued.

BETTY CATCH-AM. AIR RAID BETTY.

Friday, September 12, 2008

BETTY, CATCH AM.

Air Raid Betty------Continued.
Betty did her job as Air Raid Marshall with class. She always felt great when the crisis was over. We took her vigilance and dedication for granted at the time but looking back now, I realize how Betty gave us ample time to hide and take cover before the jets came on their killing and maiming spree. How much that helped, I will never know, but from what I have learned from watching deputy sheriffs chase criminals by air in rural Lake County Florida where I live, those bomber and fighter jets had bird's eye views of the ground as they came down so low. They must have seen their targets scurrying around trying to hide.We always were able to hide before the planes came within view.
When the air raids were over, Betty was usually her happy self again.Betty enjoyed other odd jobs around the house. She was very energetic and did everything with gusto.She was a farm hand too.The goats, sheep, chickens, sometimes got in trouble with Betty. Then, there were the wild life who always turned up to help themselves to the crops and livestock, especially the fowls, in the backyard outside the compound. Hawks and other predatory birds were sometimes bold enough to swoop down to grab chicks inside the compound. Betty would dash out barking as the hen screamed at the hawk in protest.

Betty soon mastered how to keep everybody in line. Face offs with wild critters in the backyard were always brought to our attention by Betty's wild barking from the backyard.Our home stead was on the outskirts of a dry virgin scrubland covered with saw grass (ata), which were so sharp they slashed whatever came in contact with the blade-like leaves. There were Chaleku/icheku tress which made delicious fruit snacks, and araba/ahaba, which had stems which were were popular as support for yam crops. These were called alulu. In these bushes lived a wide variety of wild life. Patridges (Okwa), large rodents like (Nchi), and smaller (Ogini and Nkakwu) were abundant back there. So also were snakes, venomous and non-venomous. Betty loved to chase whatever showed up too close to the back gate. We always worried about Betty being bitten by a venomous snake back there. Years later, Betty died from a snake bite when she was much older and probably couldn't get out of the way fast enough as a snake lounged at her.

The domesticated animals learned two words of pigin English from their experience with Betty. "Catch-Am" which means Catch him, Catch her or Catch it was understood by humans and animals alike. When that command was yelled, things happened and happened quickly, too quickly to an unsuspecting observer who had never witnessed it before.If some of the goats or sheep broke out and were attacking the crops, and they heard the command, they would stop in their tracks, do a double take,and bolt off back to their pens. If the gate was closed, they would break in from where they broke out in the first place. Even the chickens understoood the command. They would get excited and clack loudly and then run and fly at the same time to get away.
To these animals, Catch-Am meant a black and white dog, chasing them, barking excitedly. Betty really enjoyed giving the chase and would sometimes leap in the air to bring down a rooster or hen as they tried to get briefly airborne to get away.Betty would equally grab a goat or sheeep by the hind legs to bring them down following a furious chase. The animal would be panting and crying out with fear as Betty held them down.That was all Betty did though, she would hold the animal down, wagging her tail and breathless, until the animal was retrieved from her. She was usually very proud of the catch.
Sometimes when the command was yelled, Betty might be asleep in the house and would not have heard it. If Betty heard the command, she would shoot out of the house like a bullet and give chase, sometimes in the wrong direction, only to suddenly make a ground scratching halt, turn around to locate whatever she was supposed to chase and catch. She would then take off after it barking. The chase and catch game were routine entertainment.

Betty would stop an unknown visitor in their tracks with her barking and then run around in circles waiting for the command. No humans were ever chased although Betty would bare her teeth and raise the hair on her back and tail, if an unfriendly looking visitor showed up or if a family member seemed to be challenged by a person unknown to the dog. At times like that, Betty really had to be restrained or taken inside to calm down.

It was a different ball game with wild life which had their encounters in the back yard with Betty who would slip back there through the hole in the compound wall made for the chickens to come and go. Betty's adventures in the backyard were different. She knew she was not supposed to be back there. The only time she would really let anybody know she was back there was when she got in trouble or faced danger. Her furious barking would draw attention and we would call for her to come in. If she refused, that meant that she had encountered something she wanted us to see.

On some occasions, Betty was back there in a face off with a snake with head puffed and raised in a striking position. Betty would back off when called. Occasionally the snake would be killed. Once, a viper was killed that way, only to watch as small baby vipers ate through her and came wiggling out. It was so overwhelming and scarry that the snake had to be set on fire to kill all the venomous critter emerging from her. I was not present but learned that those present counted about fifty baby snakes when it was over. I also learned that vipers and some other species and also scorpions hatch their eggs inside the mother which then dies as the babies eat or bite their way out of her. I have not witnessed this myself.
A cobra was once spotted on a palm tree close to the compound in the backyard, following one of Betty's furious barking in the backyard. The snake had a bright red growth on its head, similar to a rooster's crest and it made a scarry noise. My father was not home and my mother sent for a neighbor, Ezeugonna who had a double barrel gun to come and shoot the snake. I don't remember if the snake was shot or if it got away. All I recall is being petrified with fear and staying away from the backyard for a while. We used to be back there collecting chaleku, Utu,Uni, ( sweet wild berries and fruits), and even Elo/Ero (mushrooms).

To Be Continued.




Talking about scorpions, there were scorpions everywhere in those days and people occassionally got stung. Betty naver got stung because she always smelled them and would start barking at the spot where the scorpion was waiting with stinger up.

PART 3 Nwaeke returns to the wild.

Nwaeke remained firmly wrapped around the old man's arm with her head resting in his hand between his thumb and his forefinger. She kept flicking her forked tongue to check out what was going on around her. A crowd still followed. The noise had not subsided either. There seemed to be a lot of excitement and she felt an occasional quick stroke as the children mustered enough courage to touch her. Some of the children were trying to find out how easy it would be to get the snake off gramps if they had to. They knew very well that the snake was not venomous, the chances of hurting gramps would only be by constricting him.
"My goodness, it is cold. The snake feels very cold, and it is hard." a voice called out. " I just touched the snake. Come and feel it." The children took turns touching the snake and concluded that getting the snake off gramps would not be so easy. The snake's muscles were firm.
They asked gramps how he would be able to get the snake off his arm, since it was hanging on so firmly. Gramps explained to them that the snake would get off when prompted to do so. His Nnaa had taught him how to handle snakes. He had taught him the features differentiating venomous vipers (Aju ana)from the python (eke). He warned them not to try identifying or touching any snakes, to call an adult, just like they did in this case, whenever they saw a snake.
It took many years for him to learn what he knew about snakes. He could identify different species of snakes. He had learned more about snakes at Agriculture school and had lived and worked as a teacher in remote areas where there were lots of snakes. He learned a lot about venomous snakes from the natives in those days. He even learned how to treat some snake bites. The grandchildren remembered this very well and that was why they ran straight to him when they saw the snake.
The older grandchildren found some of gramp's snake stories very interesting and tried to figure out the science behind some of them. They could not agree on any single theory and decided to do more research when they got back to school. The crowd filed through the gate leading to the backyard ( azu-uno) and proceeded through the cassava plot. Gramps stopped after crossing the cassava plot, at the edge of the small brush of small trees and shrubs.
Everybody stopped and the chatter stopped. The amateur photographers took their positions and were clicking away, getting good shots of the old man as he positioned to release the snake into the brush. "Gramps wait, gramps wait", they kept saying. The old man waited patiently, actually posing for them to get good shots.
He had always been very gentle and understanding with his grandchildren. At his age, he still remembered their names, who their parents were, and special things about each of them. In return, they respected and loved him very much for his easygoing ways and understanding. He is so unlike their grandmother who wastes no time spanking them when they deserved it. They loved grandma too, but in a different way. They knew where the boundaries were and never crossed them. Gramps and grandma were so different and each had special things about them that the children loved.
Coming home to Nnewi to celebrate gramp's ninetieth birthday was a big treat. It meant bringing the whole family together for a lot of fun activities with the extended family. Some nights the cousins stayed up late into the morning hours chatting with each other or practicing the dance routine they performed to the crowd at the birthday celebration for gramps. On that particular morning when Nwaeke was found in the chicken coop,some of the youngsters had gone to bed very late. They had practiced Kirk Franklin's Stomp late into the night. They wanted to get it right for the occasion and on the day of the celebration, they did a fantastic job and the crowd loved it very much.
Gramps leaned over and, and gently with his right hand touched nwaeke's head. The snake unravelled from his arm and slowly crawled into the brush. The photographers kept taking pictures until nwaeke's tail disappeared.
" Wow! that was cool," declared the young fellow who had discovered nwaeke partially hidden in the chicken coop. Everybody agreed that it was a very exciting and interesting morning. The story will be shared with friends and family in the years to come. The story of the day gramps removed a python (eke) with his bare hands.
The End.

PART 2---- The day Nwaeke got caught.

Nwa eke tried to hide in a corner in the chicken coop when daybreak came since she couldn't crawl away unnoticed. Unfortunately, she was noticed when the young vacationers trooped in as they always did, to check out the turkeys and ducks. They were rowdy and did not look where they were going. Nwa eke stayed very still to avoid being noticed, hoping that she would blend in with her surroundings. But they saw her anyway, letting out a loud shriek.
They ran frantically shouting and pointing towards the chicken coop, to the main house where their grandfather was relaxing in his recliner after breakfast. His older grandchildren, mostly college students were lounging in the palour with him, watching Nigerian movies which they love. On this particular morning, they were watching "Ukwa" for who knows how many times, and laughing at the gimmicks of the actors and actresses.
Their young cousins burst in, panting and ran straight to the old man. " Grandpa, Grandpa, Grandpa, there's a huge snake in the chicken house." It's huge, it's huge, they panted, gesturing with their hands to show how big. They remembered he wants them to speak igbo to him, and they changed to " aguo, aguo, (agwo). The double consonants remains problematic. That got the attention of the movie watchers who jumped up from their seats at the mention of a huge snake. They dashed outside behind their cousins, yelling and beckoning to the late sleepers to come see the huge snake in the chicken coop. Before long, the courtyard was filled with young people, their parents, some still in their nightclothes. There was a big commotion as people ran towards the chicken coop. There was cautious exitement in the air. Nobody knew what was hiding in there.
Gramps can handle it, after all he is grandpa and he had told a lot of stories of his adventures from years gone by.
Gramps to the rescue.
The old man got up from his easy chair, took his cane and came outside. For a ninety year old man, he was still in good shape and the grandchildren sometimes forgot his age. It is usually assumed that grandpa or gramps as they call him is invincible, knows everything and is not afraid of anything. He walked towards the chicken coop with his cane which he did not usually carry all the time. The crowd parted for him to pass, but the younger children continued in front of him as if they were not afraid anymore since gramps was behind them.
"Bia umu azia putanu grampa n'uzo" a voice called out.That was one of the college age grandchildren showing off his Igbo speaking skills. All of a sudden, igbo speaking broke out, from the youngsters visiting their grandparents, trying to outdo each other. " E-ye, putanu n'uzo osiso" " Unu ara anu ife, isi opupu (okpukpu)." I n'edebe isi ka monkey." Pronouncing (kp) or (gb) is always a big challenge for the igbo speakers.
At the entrance of the coop, the leaders stopped and moved aside for gramps to lead the way. They pointed at the corner where the snake's tail was visible. The old man looked around carefully, scanning the floor carefully before venturing inside. His sight was not as good as it used to be or as good as the children with him. He could not see very well in the dark corner where the snake was hiding. he looked back and asked for a flashlight or torch. " Wetanu torch, wetanu torch somebody yelled and the children echoed it over and over. A torch was rushed to grandpa as he moved cautiously closer to the corner, with one daughter close by flashing the bright light. He saw the snake and beckoned with his hand for all to hold back. There was silence, one could hear a pin drop. he peered until he saw the snake's head. "O bu eke." he declared, obviously relieved.
"What is eke?" What is eke?" broke out. Grandpa explained that eke is a non venomous snake, which keeps rats and frogs away. sometimes they come to eat eggs too, which is why this particular eke was there. " Will you kill it?" a voice asked. No! grandpa answered. I will remove it and take it to the backyard and release it to go back to the wild. The news was passed on the the people who couldn't get close enough and a commotion broke out as news broke out that grandpa is removing the snake with his hands.
Gramps got the eke to wrap around his arm, like his father showed hime many years ago when he was a child. He had lost his mother at a young age and hung around with his Nnaa ( as he called his father) a lot. He learned a lot of neat things from his father. He had told told his grandchildren stories of his adventures and times with his nnaa,and of the parrot his father owned who would perch on the compound wall by the ozobi and anounce who is passing, by singing out their names, or repeat what they said next time they came to visit, sometimes embarrasing people who have said bad things.---------

To be continued-----

Nwa eke wrapped tighlty around gramp's arm as the crowd trooped towards the backyard gate.
There was some concern that gramps may be constricted and he was aksed how tight the snake was holding on, just in case they have to get it off him, if the snake started acting up. Gramps let one or two people touch to find out. The snake felt like steel, they declared, eyes bulging with surprise. There was really concern in some quarters by this time.

THE DAY NWAEKE GOT CAUGHT.

This is for the children. It is based on a true story.

Eke: a small python ( constrictor), common in Igboland. They are harmless and were respected by Ndi igbo for their gentleness and job of eating pests like rats and other rodents. In some communites, they are not killed or harmed. Nwa: offspring, child.

---- The day Nwa Eke got caught.

One morning a snake, an Eke, who I will call Nwa eke, came to visit a site she had always visited to catch rodents or to steal eggs. The home owners raised a number of livestock ---chickens, ducks, turkeys and a few goats. There was always something there for the reptile visitor; rodents who come to feed on the poultry feed, or the eggs from the fowls. The elderly couple have very few people living with them so Nwa eke and his folk came and went without being noticed. Then in December 2002, the children and grandchildren of the couple trooped home to celebrate the 90Th birthday of their pa and all of a sudden the quiet environment turned into a mini zoo, with people coming and going in all directions, making a lot of noise. Even the chicken coop was not spared the activity. Little feet, big feet, some bare, and some in what looked like small canoes, trooped in and out, checking on the fowls, sometime scaring them and causing even more noise from the alarmed critters. Sneaking in and out of the bounty house became a chore for nwa eke and friends.They came at night and left or hid before daybreak until one morning when nwa eke came to get some goodies and got caught. Nweke tried to hide under the clutter in the corner of the chicken coop upon realizing that it was daybreak. Little did she know that although her head and most of her body was hidden, her tail and part of her side were visible. When those feet came in again with all the noise and chatter, nwa eke stayed very still. She heard a loud shriek and feet were moving very fast and in different directions as if they were running away from something horrible. There were shouts of ----s--n---a--k--e, s--n--a--k--e, and some were shouting --a--g--w--o, a--g--w--o, and then the noise died down briefly only to intensify as more feet rushed in, and now the feet were gathered in one spot and seemed to keep a safe distance from nwa eke. She flicked her tongue and felt the air. There were humans all over the place. Nwa eke remained calm knowing she was safe. She had been in this kind of trouble before and always got led away with a long strong stick, ever so gently. It surely won't be any different this time. Suddenly, she felt a human very close to her and moved her head to face the direction. Then she felt gentle stroking on her head and neck as if she was being invited for a ride. She took the cue and got on the hand, wrapping herself gently but firmly around the long arm. She liked the warmth of the old man's arm as he gently transported her away, her head peering out, tongue flickering occasionally to check out what was going on. The crowd followed, chattering like little parrots, repeating each others speech--------- " C-o-o-l, men, Gramps is the coolest guy I ever saw. " --------" Men, Gramps is like crocodile hunter, he's not scared of anything. Wait till I get back to school, I will tell all those scary cats about this."---------a girlish voice------I am scared for Grandpa, he is old and if he gets a bite, he may die from it, no good hospitals here, am so scared." Another voice retorts--------" What are you talking about ?----Grandpa said that this is Eke, a python, they are not venomous. If it tries to constrict Gramps, we'll just get it off him" Nweke relaxed as the ride continued. She had suddenly become a celebrity.---- To be continued

VIBRANT UMUIGBO GETTING DOWN.

Next generation Umu nnewi doing their thing at the 2004 NnewiUSa convention in Orlando Florida. They had a time of their lives.

Mothers are for.........

Mothers are for loving you
If you're good or bad.
Mothers are for sharing
Whatever makes you glad.
Mothers are for laughing
At your favorite jokes.
Mothers are for helping you
Get along with folks.
Mothers are for reading
Stories old and new.
Mothers are for teaching you
To always be kind and true.
Mothers are for watching
When you give a play.
Mothers are for clapping
In a happy sort of way.
Mothers are for loving
When you snuggle up so tight.
Mothers are for hugging you
With a sweet good night.
Love,
Nduka. (copyright) May 1994.




Back in 1994, precisely twelve years ago, a few days to mother's day, my son's fifth grade teacher sent home a large envelope with him addressed to me. Being a good student and a good boy overall,Iwas'nt worried about the contents of the envelope. A note inside read it : Dear Mrs Enemchukwu, I thought you may want to keep this, since it's so special, I laminated it for you". I pulled out an 8x10 laminated pink poster paper with a poem on it. The title was " Mothers are for....... and signed and dated by my son Nduka Enemchukwu . He stood there in anticipation, so I read the poem and pulled him close and gave him a big hug for writing such a sweet poem specially for me. I put it away in my scrap book where I put awards or such things from school or sporting events.With our hectic schedule, there was no time for dwelling on the poem at the time.
A typical day started with my return from work in the morning and the house buzzing with before school activities. The children would be almost halfway through getting ready for school by the time I get home and we hurry and get everyone out the door and see the bicycle riders off and I take the car riders and the baby to get in the the drop- off line before it becomes too long. Some days the line would be so long that I am usually able to get a good ten to fifteen minute cat nap before it is our turn to drop off. The two year old and I would then hurry home, bathe east breakfast and then proceed to
tidy up the house quickly . He looked foward to our time together because he had me all to himslf. After breakfast, we would watch for Sesame Street and other of his favorite children's program before we go to sleep. On good days he would let me get up to three hours of sleep, on bad days or when he was sick, it would be off and on cat naps on the couch in between watching Tv, playing or just trying to get over an ear infection or another uncorfortable problem. If I fell asleep in the middle of his favorite show, he would gently try to wake me up for the laughs. Then it's time for afterschool pick ups. First, the three bicycle riders arrive, full of ennrgy and excitement and stories to tell. The pick up line for the two car riders was usually long by the time I got there and the girls were tired and quiet on the ride home after standing in the blazing Florida sun wiating for their turn to be picked up. The evenings were usually spent at practice for Tennis, Basketball, Cross country depending on which sporting event they were involved in at the time. If there was no practice , they played in the yard and usually took the little one and I would manage another hour or two of sleep before homework, dinner and off to work. Even during the week end and Summer, when school was out, getting adequate sleep was a big challenge. Sports practice, YMCA swimming lessons, Tennis tournaments whch sometime took us to Tampa or Fort Lauderdale, Florida kept us on our toes. A few neighbors and friends from church whose children were in the same program, helped out once in a while and gave rides to my children allowing me time to sleep before working the night shift. Two occasions come to mind when I absolutely thought I would lose my mind. The two-year old had surgery, an out patient event that requred us to be at the hospital by seven thirty in the morning. Having no vacation time left, I pleaded with my supervisor to let me bring him to work with me so we could leave from work to his appointment in the morning. My request was granted and I took him to work which made him very happy. Being in an unfamiliar environment, it was difficult for him to settle down and sleep and he kapt demanding something to drink which I could'nt give him becasue he was NPO and was not allowed to eat or drink anything. Calming him down while trying to do my work was a big challenge.We went straight to the hospital from work, about a thirty minute drive and were almost late when we got there, despite the fact that my relief came in early so I could leave. They quickly prepped him and took him to the operating room. I fell asleep in the waiting room and the nurse woke me up when the surgery was over and asked that I come and stay with him in the recovery room. They knew I had worked the night before and gave me a recliner. We slept side by side while the nurses watched us like we were both in recovery. When he came to, they woke me up to hold him because he was crying for pain. They gave him some pain medication and we hung around for another two hours before they discharged us with instructuions and an appoitment slip for follow up.We drove home uneventfully but trouble started when we got home and the little gellow could'nt do all the things he used to do. He got frustrated and cried at the drop of a pin. Carrying him on my back with a wrapper used to work wonders because he enjoyed it, stayed out of trouble and usually fell asleep in no time. This time, I could'nt carry him because of his surgical wound so it was cranky town for the next few days.He cried if any of his siblings approached or touched him. Two days, I called in sick, then I took him to work with me for about three days. We were both relived when his wound healed and he could move around again and do things for himself.
Another hairy situation arose one day as I was cooking one hot summer day. Having been raised on beans, I continue to enjoy beans to this day, especially lentils and black beans. They have less carbohydrate and do not cause as much bloating as the black eye beans. I would cook beans (beanse) as my children called it trying to mimmick Nigerians, and serve it with rice and stew or with plantain. Every one enjoyed it. It usally took just a few minutes to cook the beans in a pressure cooker. Even when we made Chili from scatch, we cooked the Kidney beans with the pressure cooker which leaves the beans soft and intact and not mushy as the children describe over cooked food.
On that fateful day, we had come back from a morning of tennis practice and every one was exhausted and staying inside, away from the blazing heat. I started dinner early so we can eat and relax a little bit before it was time for work. I started rice in one pot, made stew and then started the beans in the pressure cooker. I sat down on the couch and fell asleep. Then I saw little people jumping up and down in front of me poiting to the kitchen and saying something. I thought I was dreaming. When I finally woke up, I realized something was going on in the kitchen. My children always tease me for burning food because I fell asleep on the couch. They had no idea how to handle this particular situation and I am happy they did'nt try.The loud whistling and hissing of the pressure cooker made me run to the kitchen. I was confused by what I saw. I stood there for a minute trying to figure out how to tackle the problem and the children kept yelling" Mom do something , do something. So I ran towrds the stove to turn off it off. The pressure cooker had blown its top and was sending a steady stream of hot liquid to the ceiling and the hot liquid was raining on the kitchen floor. I slipped on the thick liquid on the floor and landed sitting squarley in it while more rained on my head. I tried to get up, slipped and fell again. My children were dying with laughter and trying so hard to conceal it. Desperate to do something quickly, I crawled on all fours to the stove, reached up and turned it off. The whistling finally subsided and the upward spray stopped. By this time we were all rolling on the floor laughing. I was dripping with bean broth , in my hair, on my arms, on my face. The children kept apologising for laughing at me but it was so funny they could,nt help it. Funny, not really, that pot could have exploded or blown a hole in the ceiling. I never used a pressure cooker again since that close call.
The years went by really fast and middle school and high school breezed by and college is also becoming history and sometimes I wonder where the years went.
A few days ago, while putting away Aj's High school graduation notice in my scrap book,a pink laminted poster paper fell out and I picked it up and read it and it was the peom from long ago. For the first time,I noticed the rhyme, the thoughtfulness and the simple things that mattered to a ten year old and I was touched. No wonder the teacher laminated it and sent it to me to personally. I called the poet and asked him if he remembered the mother's day peom he wrote for me in fifth grade. " I wrote so many poems in those days Mom" he responded and I remember clearly the little notes he would bring home and I will show my appreciation and just put them aside on the table on night stand. I asked hime if I could share this special poem since he had signed and dated it. He was laughing at how seriously I was taking the copyright issue. I insisted that he copyright it before mother's day and he promised to do just that. With that I felt I had the freedom to share this special poem from a ten year old, now twenty two who thinks the world of his mother and the little things she did and does. My prayer is that he will one day be blessed with that special someone, who will think the world of him and who he will adore as he adores his mother.
To all the single Moms out there, pulling double duty to give their children a normal life, and to all the Dads who are filling Mom's shoes because Mom is winning the bread and is too busy or Mom is simply out to left field, this Poem is for you:

Mothers are for loving you
if you're good or bad.
Mothers are for sharing
Whatever makes you glad.
Mothers are for laughing
At your favorite jokes
Mothers are for helping you
Get along with folks.
Mothers are for reading
Stories old and new.
Mothers are for teaching you
To always be kind and true.
Mothers are for watching
When you give a play.
Mothers are for clapping
In a happy sort of way.
Mothers are for loving
When you snuggle up so tight.
Mothers are for hugging
With a sweet good night.>>>>

Nduka Enemchukwu
May 94.

ONE OF COLUMBIA'S LAST PICTURES

THIS PHOTO IS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL. BE SURE TO READ THE TEXT BELOW TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT YOU ARE VIEWING. IT IS HISTORIC TO AS THIS IS THE LAST MISSION FOR COLUMBIA. PLEASE TAKE YOUR TIME TO GRASP GREATNESS. COLUMBIA CRASHED WHILE RE ENTERING THE EARTH TAKING THE LIVES OF THE CREW MEMBERS.

The photograph attached was taken by the crew on board the Columbia during its last mission, on a cloudless day.
The picture is of Europe and Africa when the sun is setting. Half of the picture is in night.
The bright dots you see are the cities' lights.
The top part of Africa is the Sahara Desert.
Note that the lights are already on in Holland, Paris, and Barcelona, and that's it's still daylight in Dublin, London, Lisbon, and Madrid.
The sun is still shining on the Strait of Gibraltar.
The Mediterranean Sea is already in darkness.
In the middle of the Atlantic Ocean you can see the Azores Islands; below them to the right are the Madeira Islands ; a bit below are the Canary Islands; and further South, close to the farthest western point of Africa , are the Cape Verde Islands.
Note that the Sahara is huge and can be seen clearly both during day time and night time.
To the left, on top, is Greenland, totally frozen.

Chinwe E

Remonstrance with the Snails. ( Annonymous)

Ye little snails,
With slippery tails,
Who noiselessly travel
Along this gravel,
By a silvery path of slime unsightly,
I learn that you visit my pea rows nightly.
Felonious your visit, I guess!
And I give you this warning,
That, every morning,
I'll strictly examine the pods;
And if one I hit on,
With slaver or spit on,
Your next meal will be with gods.

I own you're a very ancient race,
And Greece and Babylon were amid;
You have tenanted many a royal dome,
And dwelt in the oldest pyramid;
The source of the Nile!-
O, you have been there!
In the ark was your floodless bed;
On the moonless night of marathon
You crawled o'er the mighty dead;
But still, though I reverence your ancestries,
I don't see why you should nibble my peas.

The meadows are yours,- the hedgerow and brook,
You may bathe in their dews at morn;
By the aged sea you may sound your shells,
On the mountains, erect your horn;
The fruits and the flowers are your rightful dowers,
Then why- in the name of wonder-
Should my pea-rows be the only cause
To excite your midnight plunder?

I have never disturbed your slender shells;
You have hung around my aged walk;
And each night have sat,
till he died in his fat,
Beneath his own cabbage-stalk:
But now you must fly from the soil of your sires:
Then put on your liveliest crawl,
And think of your poor little snails at home,
Now orphans or emigrants all.
Utensils domestic and civil and social
I give you an evening to pack up;
But if the moon of this night does not rise on your flight,
To-morrow I'll hang each man Jack up.
You'll think of my peas and your theivish tricks,
With tears of slime, when crossing the Styx.
ANONYMOUS

Mbe agaba------Ajambene. Adventures of Mbekwu, nwaniga

Mbe agaba------ajambene
Mbe agaba-------ajambene
Ga -ga -ga- ga--- ajambene
Ga- ga -ga- ga-------ajabene
Jedo nkwu nke a--ajambene
Si ya i chalu o-ne---ajambene
O si n'ochalu ofu---ajambene------
This will introduce the series of stories about the adventures of Mbe ( Mbekwu, Mbediogu, Nwa -aniga), the hero of most igbo folklore and fables.
Coming up soon.

THE GOAT. Author Unknown.

The Goat.

There was a man, now please take note,
There was a man,who had a goat,
He lov'd that goat,indeed he did,
He loved that goat, like a kid

One day the goat felt frisk and fine,
Ate three shirts from off the line.
The man he grabbed him by the back,
And tied him to a railroad track.

But when the train hove into sight,
That goat grew pale and green with fright.
He heaved a sigh, as if in pain,
Coughed up those shirts and flagged the train.
Author Unknown.

MBEKWU----- MBE---- AND HIS CUNNING WAYS

To be continued------Mbekwu or Mbe (Tortoise) is the animal featured in most Igbo fable and folklore. Mbe, always portrayed as very wise and cunning, always tricking other animals and even humans must have earned that reputation because of the way he protects himself from danger and dangerous situations. The tortoise is always very careful and when approached suddenly or surprised quickly withdraws into his hard shell and plays dead until the coast is clear.

Here in Florida, there is a species of tortoise called Gopher Turtles and they are protected by the law. They live in underground dens which they sometimes share with other animals especially during the short cold spells of the winter. Gopher turtle dens can hold bunnies, snakes, even stray dogs. Once I had animal control officers remove a stray dog and her puppies from my property, it took them several hours of digging to get to the puppies. The tunnel meandered left and right with resting chambers. It reminded me of Alice of " Alice in Wonderland" and it was amazing that those puppies could get air for survival that deep in the burrow. They stayed near the entrance and hurried back when anything approached. They were whisked away to the dog catchers joint for fear they may habour rabies.

Gopher turtles are all over central Florida and they are bad news to a property owner because they have more rights than the property owner. They cannot be disturbed, removed or killed, no matter what. If they must be moved, the State will be called in to do it after collecting a handsome sum of money for the relocation. That means that a person with Gopher landlords must share the space with the landlords. The gopher turtle burrows his den where he chooses to. If it is noticed and covered up quickly, he goes back and digs it again with an attitude as if to let it be known that he did not like that joke at all.
Currently with about seven established gopher dens on my five acres, I occasionally come across the big landlords taking leisurely strolls across the yard or the driveway. They would stop, if grazing and casually size up the person or car before deciding what to do, lazily chewing on the wild flowers they love to munch on. They may withdraw their heads into their shells and just sit there, , or just keep on eating occasionally glancing in your direction. These gophers vary in size, from quarter sized newly hatched turtles which the hawks swoop down to pick up, to huge old timers, the size of a medium sized ikwe (motar).
Sometimes the gopher turtle would not withdraw his head into the shell when confronted , but would actually fight and defend himself and are therefore also called snapping turtles.

Occasionally, these creatures would become roadkill when hit while crossing a deserted country highway by a speeding driver who suddenly comes upon them. Many a driver have wrecked a car while trying to avoid or stop for some of these creatures. Stories have it that some country restaurants deep in the back roads actually serve gopher, rabbit, and opossum stew from roadkill in addition to deer and alligator dishes. The alligator and deer are taken during the short hunting season by State licensed hunters. I have not visited any of these restaurants but I hear that gopher stew is really yummy. Years ago my youngest son and his playmates / classmates came upon his friend's father cleaning turtle meat which he claimed was roadkill. An offer of the turtle stew when it was ready was declined. I would taste it if given the opportunity, just out of curiosity. I was once tricked into tasting Octopus. It tasted really good but I wanted to throw up when I found out what I had eaten.

Going back to the tortoise story, I have observed first hand why I think Ndi Igbo chose mbekwu (mbe) for their fables and folk stories.

To be continued.

A CAT'S CONSCIENCE.-------- AUTHOR UNKNOWN

A Cat's Conscience

A dog will often steal a bone,
But conscience lets him not alone,
And by his tail his guilt is known.

But cats consider theft a game,
And, howsoever you may blame,
Refuse the slightest sign of shame.
When food mysteriously goes,
The chances are that Pussy knows
More than she leads you to suppose.
And hence there is no need for you,
If Puss declines a meal or two,
To feel her pulse and make ado.
AUTHOR UNKNOWN

A NARROW FELLOW IN THE GRASS. (BY EMILY DICKINSON)

A narrow fellow in the grass
Occasionally rides;
You may have met him,--did you not,
His notice sudden is.

The grass divides as with a comb,
A spotted shaft is seen;
And then it closes at your feet
And opens further on.

He likes a boggy acre,
A floor too cool for corn.
Yet when a child, and barefoot,
I more than once, at morn,

Have passed, I thought, a whip-lash
Unbraiding in the sun,--
When, stooping to secure it,
It wrinkled, and was gone.

Several of nature's people
I know, and they know me;
I feel for them a transport
Of cordiality;

But never met this fellow,
Attended or alone,
Without a tighter breathing,
And zero at the bone.
Emily Dickinson

A BIRD CAME DOWN THE WALK by EMILY DICKINSON

A bird came down the walk:
He did not know I saw;
He bit an angle-worm in halves
And ate the fellow, raw.

And then he drank a dew
From a convenient grass,
And then hopped sidewise to the wall
To let a beetle pass.

He glanced with rapid eyes
That hurried all abroad,--
They looked like frightened beads, I thought;
He stirred his velvet head

Like one in danger; cautious,
I offered him a crumb,
And he unrolled his feathers
And rowed him softer home

Than oars divide the ocean,
Too silver for a seam,
Or butterflies, off banks of noon,
Leap, splashless, as they swim.
Emily Dickenson

THE TIGER by WILLIAM BLAKE

Tiger! Tiger! burning bright,
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye.
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

In what distant deeps or skies.
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand, dare seize the fire?

And what shoulder, and what art,
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat.
What dread hand? and what dread feet?

What the hammer? what the chain?
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? what dread grasp.
Dare its deadly terrors clasp?

When the stars threw down their spears,
And watered heaven with their tears,
Did he smile His work to see?
Did he who made the lamb make thee?

Tiger Tiger burning bright,
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?
-------William Blake

NEW BLOG FOR THE YOUNG

THIS BLOG IS SPECIFICALLY FOR THE YOUNG and the young at heart.

The postings on this blog will be mainly for young people. Favorite Poems by well known and hardly known authors, then personal short stories, Igbo fables and folklore will make up the bulk of the postings.

I will start with poems about animals in English, then go to Igbo fables using Mbe or Mbekwu ( Tortoise) which teach life lessons to the young. Most Igbo fable and folklore use Mbe and his wife Anim and their friends and foes. The narration will be in English while the chorus part will be in Igbo, for example the
( nda, une, ajambene and tumangwe parts).