Nwa eke got caught.----continued

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 was 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 at that grandpa was 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 Nnaa owned who would perch on the compound wall by the ozobi and anounce who was passing, by singing out their names, or repeated what they said next time they came to visit, sometimes embarrasing people who had 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 NWEKE GOT CAUGHT> ( Based on a true story)

This is for the children. It is based on a true story. I was unable to attach the pictures this time. They may come with the continuation.


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

Chinwe Enemchukwu
Orlando, Florida

This is a posting from May 2nd 2008 which I think is a good reading for a sunday morning.






It used to be that Anambra State led the way in Igboland and Nigeria in every aspect of life. That leadership role was eroded to bare bones after the Nigeria-Biafra war and the result has been devastating.

Mediocrity or even less reigns in everything. Nothing is questioned anymore. Everything goes. Gbute, Gbute, ochara acha, ochaghi acha " The consequences are there for all to see.

The wind of change is in the air all over Nigeria since the Judiciary stepped up to the plate and deliver for Nigerians. Nigerians are beginning to grasp the true meaning of DEMOCRACY and THANK GOD, Nigerians learn fast. That is why" Baba" is now receiving the treatment he dished out to others and his daughter is running and hiding like a scared cat from her own shadows. They (the crooks) will keep running . This is only the beginning.

Oil is selling at mind boggling prices and Nigeria still has to fly her President to Germany for emergency medical treatment. How many lives are lost daily from simple emergencies in a country that ranks high in global oil production? Citizens of Dubai and Kuwait live like kings from windfalls from their oil. Nigerians live and die like diseased rats daily and nobody seems to care.

The wind of change is in the air. It is the duty of all Nigerians and Ndi Anambra in particular, where it originated to keep it going, to actually accelerate it by getting involved in the process. Getting involved entails finding out what is going on in their local and State governments, asking questions and demanding answers. One does not have to go the representative's house or the Governor's house or office anymore. Many have cellular phones to use and call these individuals and ask questions, if not for themselves, for their children and children's children. It is a responsibility to get involved.
The phone numbers of representatives and governors are available. Ask around for them from local churches, traditional rulers, for example should have these information on hand. Call and demand answers. It is a duty. They are not being bothered. They are servants who, if left alone, will elevate themselves to lords and lord it over the people.

Ndi Anambra, Nigerians have waited long enough. As they wait, they must also play their part!!!

" Though it tarries, Wait for it---------- -" Hab. 2:3


Chinwe Enemchukwu
Orlando, Florida.

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 na afia aru na nmuta
Onye nwere ntachi obi,
O ga amuta akwukwo
M'oburu na nne ya na nna ya (nwe ego). ( Today, it should be (nye aka)
M'oburu na nne ya na nna ya (nwe ego).




These two were for dismissal.


Anyi agbasago akwukwu
Anyi agbasago akwukwo
Ekene diri ndi nkuzi kuziri anyi akwukwo
Ekene diri ndi nkuzi kuziri any akwukwo




Oge erue, oge erue mgbe any ji ana
Oge erue, oge erue mgbe ayi ji ana
Onye nkuzi, kua mgbirigba, kua mgbirigba
K'anyi na, onye nkuzi , biko kua mgbirigba
N'agu n'agu ayi, inugo?
Anyi g'ana, I nugo?
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.


More to come.

"NOW THANK WE ALL OUR GOD"

This is a posting from Thanksgiving 2006:





The heading of this posting is the title of one of the great hymns of the Church that can overwhelm as one reflects on the words and reflects on the fleeting nature of our lives on this earth.
Yesterday, Thanksgiving was celebrated as millions of Turkeys in the prime of their lives met with untimely deaths to provide the main course of the thanksgiving feast. In the same manner, young lives are being sacrificed in Iraq in defense of or is it attainment of freedom?
In Nigeria, premature death is catching up with many both children and adults through ravaging infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS, Typhoid fever, tuberculosis, and insect borne diseases like Malaria,and the rest of them. Many are dying from negligence and carelessness both at the hands of providers but mostly government negligence and irresponsibility. A country like Nigeria which produces millions of barrels of crude oil each day which sells at over $60 per barrell should at least provide the bare basics in public health for her citizens, instead Nigeria is a destination for medical missions of mercy, just like the poorest nations like Haiti and Bangladesh.
A co-worker recently could not figure out why she should join on a medical mission to Nigeria. She argued that Nigerians should be conducting Medical Missions to other poor African countries, and helping them in other areas too not just health and she is absolutely correct. However, such will never be the case in the foreseeable future. With the level of greed and corruption and selfishness besieging Nigeria, the suffering and dying will be there and will actually get worse.
Talking about the many, problems politically and otherwise, in Nigeria, is a good start, but taking some action or doing something about them is another step forward. The other day I was asked by someone if I knew of anything being done about the situation in Anambra State, probably implying that all we are doing is talk and nothing else. I chose not to answer at the time because my answer may not make sense to him. Anyway my answer to that question will be that, YES, something is being done, even if in different ways about the situation. People are speaking up, a lot of people are FASTING and PRAYING seriously about it while others are raising awareness at the grassroots level, educating people on the ground, many of who do not really understand what is happening or are too busy trying to scrath out a living in the land of plenty before caring about political issues.

Despite the bleak outlook, Nigerians still have a lot to be thankful for and Nigerians need to get up and get involved in affairs concerning them. Ndi Igbo need to arise and get involved and develop and uplift and clean up our cities and towns. It will take a lot of sacrifice be it in terms of money, comfort and even lives of which a lot have been lost on the bad roads and to violence and lawlessness and disease. We need to give thanks everyday, not only on Thanksgiving day, but everyday and then we need to do more by using our various talents to make a difference for our fellow humans. NOW THANK WE ALL OUR GOD.

Remain Blessed,
Chinwe Amala Enemchukwu
Orlando, Florida

FARMER'S BREAD with CINNAMON

One of my favorite hobbies is bread making. Ever since learning the craft at a very young age from my mother who was at a time a commercial baker , I never stopped baking. I even got my children hooked on it too.

With the advent of the bread machine, I ran out and bought one only to find out that the finished product did not quite measure up to the real thing produced after powerful kneading and punching down and re kneading. Nothing is more satisfying than the fresh delicious smell and taste of homemade bread.

Even in those days long time ago, when bread was baked in clay and brick ovens heated by burning piles of fire wood inside the oven, evacuating the charcoal and ash before loading the pans of fluffy dough into the oven and stuffing it shut with wet "akpa aji" and slabs of stone to keep the heat from leaving the oven, that heavenly smell of fresh bread was usually the first indication of the result of so much hard work and sweating.
In those days, those assisting in bread making got to work right after morning prayers, mixing, kneading, cutting, shaping, greasing bread pans and filling the pans with egg-sized dough. While this was going on, the giant oven was loaded with firewood which burned quickly ( nku ukpaka), heating up the oven and the heat was trapped and stored in the brick and clay walls of the oven.
After doing the job for a while, it became a habit and one could knead cut and shape the loaves with one eye closed or while thinking about other things like how to hide some dough for a personal unique loaf. We were able to make these unique loaves from scrapings from the giant mortars in which the dough was mixed. These scrapings were used to create all kinds of loaves-- lizard shaped, snake shaped,masquerade shaped, all kinds of art work were produced with those loaves. Unknown to the baker, or maybe she knew and pretended not to know, her hard working helpers always found ways to sneak aside a chunk of dough to add to their signature loaves. These signature loaves usually made it to school to be enjoyed at recess with a bunch of friends and non friends who would beg and beg for a piece. Some would remind you of past favors and some would actually ask you to look them in the face and how on earth can you refuse to give a piece of bread after going eye ball to eye ball. At the end of the exercises, the bread is shared almost like communion among friends who throw the tiny piece in their mouth and go back to their playing or to beg from somebody else.

After the giant oven is evacuated and loaded and sealed, the workers start getting ready for school and then the aroma fills the air and I remember the- hm mm, hm mm and I am sure the neighbors enjoyed those aromas too. Before long, it was time to get the bread out since the slightest delay would mean burnt bread and total loss. On the other hand, if the oven did not retain enough heat, that meant the dough would not bake properly, would actually collapse, making ugly flat bread, a big loss also. It was an art, making the bread come out well almost all the time. Occasionally, something would go wrong and the bread would end up burnt or flat and breakfast for the next several days would be tea and bread. We actually liked it when this happened. If the bread came out good, the store keepers came and the piles of bread usually vanished with them in no time.

I never turned my back on baking, be it bread, meat roll, (not meat pie), puddings and all the other products my mother used to make and sell or make for people at their weddings like chin-chin shaped like braided ribbons. I bake for the fun of it and when I baked with my children I would hear that hmm, hmm, hmm when the aroma of bread filled the house just like we used to say in the good old days and I concluded that there must be something in the yeast that produced that unique aroma.

During the war, my mother had no yeast to bake bread with, so she started using palm wine, fresh palm wine from the palm tree tapped right there in our compound. I was amazed that it worked and smelled even better. Years later I learned that palm wine is loaded with yeast and other good vitamins.

Every once in a while I bake up loaves of home- made bread and store them in air -tight canisters for freshness. I bake to any consistency I want, fluffy, hard and chewy, always better than the assembly line bread in the stores.


The other day, while buying yeast, I noticed a recipe on a yeast packet tittled
"FARMER'S BREAD". That caught my attention and I read the recipe quickly and I wondered how this bread would come out, with no sugar, no butter, no egg, no fancy fruit or anything, but plain warm water, salt and flour. Also the process did not involve prolonged kneading, waiting for the dough to rise, punching it down and kneading, and letting it rise again.
I decided to try it and while at it, I modified it and split the flour portion between regular baking flour and soy flour. To my greatest amazement, the finished product was spectacular, very good texture, chewy and delicious. Being a sweet tooth, I had to put jam on it to give it the sweet taste. The bread was so good that I decided to share the recipe with folk. Those gourmet loaves in the grocer's bakery that cost an arm and one leg cannot stand up to this bread.

Second of all, Soy has been proved to be very good for the health. The health benefits of soy are numerous, prostate health, estrogen replacement,excellent source of protein, to mention a few.

Another natural spice which is very good for your health is the Cinnamon. Cinnamon has been cited to be a very good anti infective ( antibiotic & anti fungal). It has also been reported to lower blood sugar in diabetics and helps regulate blood sugar. It lowers Cholesterol. Cinnamon has a lot of good things going for it. It can be added to food, or used as a tea. Many baked goods have cinnamon added to it for flavor.

I would have added it to my bread but Cinnamon does not like me. I happen to have an allergy to cinnamon.

I will add Cinnamon to the modified recipe of the FARMER'S BREAD

1(1/4) CUPS Warm Water ( 80 F)
1(1/2) Teaspoonfuls Salt
3 Cups (450g) Bread Flour
1 Envelope Yeast
1 teaspoonful ground Cinnamon

Combine ingredients to make dough. Allow to stand for 15 minutes. Form into loaf and place in prepared pan ( lightly greased pan). Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume. Bake in 400 F oven until golden brown.


The amounts can be doubled and 3 cups of Soy flour added and a teaspoonful of ground Cinnamon for flavor and health benefits. Brush the baked loaves lightly with butter or margarine to prevent dryness.The modified recipe will then be

2(1/2) Cups Warm water (80 F)
3 teaspoonfuls Salt ( may use less salt)
3 Cups (450g) Bread flour
3 cups (450g) Soy Flour
2 envelopes Yeast
1 teaspoonful ground Cinnamon. This will make about two 20 ounce loaves.

Bon Apetit !!!!

& remain Blessed

EZI AFA KA EGO----(REPUTATION CONTINUED)

" Good name in man and woman, dear my lord, Is the immediate jewel of their souls: Who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something, nothing; 'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands; But he that filches from me my good name Robs me of that which not enriches him And makes me poor indeed. "
William Shakespeare, "Othello", Act 3 scene 3.


The above from William Shakespeare, clearly puts into words the meaning of Ezi afa ka ego. No amount of wealth will be of the same value as a good name, or reputation. When people for one reason or another would go out of their way to tarnish another's reputation, it was usually taken very seriously. Today things have changed, as in modern day Nigeria, and even all over the place people have traded a good name for fleeting popularity or even notoriety and will give anything to be in the limelight with big titles and portfolios. These individuals are actually admired, followed and respected, despite the obvious fact that their lives and values are not worthy of emulation. No wonder problems abound especially in the lives of children and young people. Nothing is sacred or taboo anymore. Even in the church, nothing is taboo, it all depends on definition. Trying to hold on to good values even attracts disrespect and mockery and attempts to slander and drag a person's name through the mud.
The lives of the hollywood crowd keeps reminding us that fame and glamour do not always add up to anything in the long run. A good name and a good reputation will always be worth more than all the glamour the world offers, even gold. Ezi afa ka ego.

EZI AFA KA EGO-------REPUTATION

One of the pillars which held Igbo Culture standing tall for centuries is the slogan: "Ezi afa ka ego" which in English reads something like " A good name is more precious than wealth/Gold" Some children were even given the name Eziafa and it meant just that. Then, wealth and status came to town all over Igboland with the oil boom and Eziafa was thrown out the window across the land. The consequences are evident today glaring both in the youth and adults. I will not even attempt to start listing examples of the consequences of abandoning "EZI AFA KA EGO" and the adoption of "ANA ENWE OBODO ENWE" solely based on wealth and influence, genuine or illicit, no problem. In the past, nobody owned Obodo, maybe their compound, but nobody owned any town. A good name was worth a fortune even if the individual was very poor in money and property ownership. The good name was good enough, and was guarded with passion.

Even Shakespeare, who wrote a lot on virtues such as love, pride, mercy had something to say about REPUTATION ( EZI AFA) in one of his great works---Othello.
In this great play, reputation was the centerpiece.

To be continued.

BLOGGING AWAY

I have always wondered about blogging. When they talk about blogs in the news, I would be curious and recently I was introduced to blogging and I was and I am still amazed at what can be accomplished with a blog site. I decided to use my very own blog to share stories, comic relief and ideas with friends and others. That's what makes the world go round----- reaching out and touching others, sharing their joys and sorrows, encouraging them and being encouraged by them. I will share old stories, new stories, recipes, ideas both in English and Igbo. Enjoy!!!!

Nwada Chinwe Enemchukwu

Welcome to my blog

Today, I set up my very own blog. I have lots and lots of stories and ideas to share with friends and people who have a sense of humour. From time to time, I will post stories from the past, from things happening around me, from past and present experiences, actually from anything at all. Sometimes,stories just pop into my head and I share some and keep many to myself, pulling them up every once in a while and having a good laugh. It always feels great to have a good a laugh but it feels even better when shared with others.
I consider people who can share a good laugh as " Ndi Uwa Oma." thus the name of this blog . Enjoy, and by all means, share your comments and ideas.

Nwada Chinwe Enemchukwu