I'm Not Interested ~ Creative Nonfiction #28
Amakohia is where I hail from. It is a popular villagé in the heart of Imo state and borders the great Imo River that demarcates the state with Abia. Since we operate a caste system, where the male child is given more credence in the family than the female. When a male child reaches adulthood which is usually when that individual clocks thirty years of age, he would be initiated into adult life.
The celebration is like a community ritual where the age grade, which is the age bracket within which the individual falls, is expected to appear in a wrapper, expensive apparel that is as long as six yards. They wrap the cloth around their waist and walk through the street that leads to the market square with whips, drinking alcohol and dancing until they reach the village shrine where certain rituals will be undertaken.
Each time I visit my village, which is usually during the Christmas period, the same period during which the celebration holds, I found out that even though we ought to imbibe our culture, there are aspects that seem barbaric, so I decided that I won't be taking part in this.
To be qualified to take part in this wearing-cloth ceremony, one must be a member of the age group. The duties of the age group are enormous and are quite beneficial to all members of the community but the aspect I considered not fitting for this time is where we have to consult some deities in some shrines. I thought we should have outlived that area. As such I proposed not to take part in it but I met a stumbling block.
The year that I turned twenty-eight years old, we traveled for the Christmas celebrations as usual in that particular year. Young men who were my age mates whose group I was supposed to belong came to visit me, as if it were an arrangement with those young and my parents, they served them food and drinks. After eating, one of them, whom I learned was the president of the age group named Nnamdi.
Enyi'a. We are here to familiarize with you as a member of our age grade group.
I was flabbergasted at what he was saying. In mind my:
What the heck is he even saying?
Nnamdi continued saying though, he sure did not read what my mind was saying behind the scene.
We thought it wise to collate the names of our age grade members who will be having their wearing-cloth ceremony in two years.
This was where I got it hot on them. At first, I was shy of talking because my parents were on the seat but on second thought, I do not approve of this ceremony and I won't be a part of it. If I do not say it to the group now, then it is going to be at my detriment. So, I spoke out
Thank you for coming. I am glad that I am here to speak for myself. I am not interested in celebrating the wearing-cloth ceremonies.
I looked at my mom's eyes after speaking to the age-grade members, she was not smiling at all. I know what awaits me after these guys are done but I am ready to stand my ground.
In the end, I am glad that my mission of not joining the other members of my age grade group to celebrate that ceremony was accomplished.
The guys thanked my parents for their warm hospitality and left. I knew they were not happy about my decision, I have no apologies to what they think, I am not going to be a party to that ceremony.
Weeks later, my parents were still g my body language an indication of their dislike for my action concerning the issue. I knew it would be like that but that it won't last long before they realize that I am a man and not a boy to be tossed here and there.
I think several Igbo Communities have cultures like that. I didn't grow up in my village, so I don't know much about that but the similar thing was the modus in Anambra where I grew up.
Theirs is related to wearing of masquerade. They have this initiation ritual they use to welcome people into the group and only those that pass through that ceremony are eligible to dress up as masquerades during festivals.
The problem I have with that pratice is that the organisation is filled with cultists and the whole initiation ceremony is similar to being initiated into cultism. It never crossed my mind to get involved with that... Not even once.
Seriously, sometimes they even get to ascertain the authenticity of their charms on the day of the initiation rites. The very reason I decided to join the age grade.
Thank you for you constructive contribution.
Nice one, bro. Your decision to distance yourself from that side of your culture is a good one.
😂
Well, adulthood should also be a stage to decide what one wants and what is not essential.
Good you stood your ground
Thankfully, nothing happened after that decision was made.
Thank God
Thank goodness you rejected their offer. Sometimes they can go extra length just to make you mingle with their group.
I like watching some of these cultural displays. But I feel one shouldn't be forced to be a part of it.
Family and community customs and rituals are often difficult to escape. It is good that you stood up for what you believe in.
Your story is really interesting. It would be have been great to see some more development. For example, this mention of "certain rituals" would have been worthy of several examples, so the reader can better understand the customs:
As always, we recommend taking 10 minutes to read through your stories to look for errors, as there are several here that could have been easily fixed.
What does "parents were still g my body language..." mean?
heheheheehe, sometimes parents just want someone to feel belonged, because maybe their friends or neighbors might have also undergone such celebrations too.