Day of the locust

I do not feel like myself.  I am changing I think.  For the three years I have been here since my taking, I feel like a member of this household.  I sense that Okonkwo is thinking the same thing:  that I am full of life and that I could finally be the true son that he never had lived up to his expectations!  I feel much more brotherly to Nwoye now.  Something else I am sensing is that Okonkwo is enjoying Nwoye more since I have been "raising" him if you will.  It also seems that he is turning into his father: always managing to find something to grumble about the women around him.  I am glad that Nwoye joins me to listen to the Masculine stories Okonkwo tells us, and not listening to the stories the women tell.  Could it be he is turning into a man and likes these stories...or is it fear of being beaten when he does listen to the childlike tales?  When the women left to drop off kids and go collect wood, the day turned to night.  The sky was filled with something I had not seen in a long time; locust. Everyone in the village prayed for them to rest in our village.  And you know what?  The locust did!  They populated EVERY single nook and dark hiding spot in the whole village!   Why was it that we wanted them to stay? Well, that is because locust makes good eats!  They are plentiful and have an interesting taste.   So for the next few days, everyone and their kids were with nets In hand, trying to capture the infesters!  When enough was caught, the locusts were dried and in the baking sun until brittle and covered with palm-oil.  When we were done with the treat we were very happy.  The next day, Okonkwo was visited by some elders.  They talked in low tones and that worried me because I had that happen to me before I was taken to this village.  When they were done, Okonkwo looked even more distressed.  Later this day, He said I was being taken back home.  This completely ruined Nwoye.  When I started walking on the trail with my father, they started talking, and I could barely hear them, but when I turned around I would be scoffed at.  Eventually one on the men cleared his through, and I turned around and was scoffed at again, and then I heard the unsheathing of a machete…

Ikemefuna was killed this chapter by decree of the oracle     

second day of new years

Since Okonkwo is gone, and so is Ekwefi, I have no fear of him.  There is only one problem: how do I entertain myself?  I might go to the wrestling competition, but Okonkwo might find a way to do something disastrous to me there.  I could go hunting, but I do that all the time since I have a lot of spare time.  I think I will stay home and think.  Think of the weather, think of life, think of harvest.  Yes!  Thinking is good!  Think of family...I think of them as dust; unapparent, but unique, small and distant compared to life now.  When someone does not remember his family, you can tell life is changing.  Big changes are going on, such as a rumor of albinos in this land.  I might ask Okonkwo when he comes home, or I could go to another village and ask around.  I hope Agbala does not hurt them too much.  It would be nice to see a white man for once.  There is very few changes happen around these parts.  The biggest change though, is me moving.  I miss my real father very little, but Okonkwo is my new father now, and I love him.  Also, I think he likes me but he is not showing it.  This is very manly and proper for a man like him.   

new years

If there is to be one good thing to come out of this new move, it has to be the difference between this great, big, beautiful New Yam Festival compared to what it was like in my old village.  It seems much more important here!  Now that I pay much more attention to it, my village seems much more distant-and not just in distance wise.  I just heard something bad! It must be Okonkwo ranting at one of his wives again about something pointless!  I think I heard something about a tree…  I best go away.  Well; this festival is supposed to be about joy.  I am sure that beating your wife on this of all days is not appropriate-or joyful!  I had just been commanded to get my father Okonkwo’s gun so he could go hunting, when his beaten wife mumbled something under her breath about them never working.  OH NO! He heard her and almost blew her head off if it weren’t for the luck of her Chi to have made a small wall there to cover here! I swore he was going over to beat here again, but just grabbed his gun and stormed off.  Well, the first day of the New Year is over, but that doesn’t mean I cannot enjoy anymore! Wrestling is tonight!

  

african village video

Things Fall Apart - Ikemefuna

Today, I was sitting around with my mom and dad in the other area, being very bored because I had finished my duties for today.  I was thinking of how the harvest might to this year, and the murder committed by my village lately.  I was just about to over to my friend’s house when these very well dressed strangers came to my house door.  My parents went to see what they wanted.  They quietly whispered to each other about something.  I was not able to hear a lot of it, but I managed to hear the words "murder" "war'" and "hand over".  I did not know what was going on, but I did not want to figure out.  Before I could make my move to escape, they took me and my parents did not do anything to stop it!  All they did was stand around and cry!  I was taken by the two strangers along with a girl I had never met before.  The girl and I walked with the men for what seemed like we had crossed the whole Fatherland and back!  And then we reached the village called "Umuofia". I was separated from the girl, and I never saw her again. I than was led to the house of one of my takers.  Apparently, his name is Onkonkwo. Then it hit me! Onkonkwo is the famous wrestler/warrior that defeated Amalinze the Cat! I do not know whether I should be over-joyed and honored, or scared!