Idahosa E Asowata

Village Decree Idahosa E Asowata

It was now dusk. Etin, still smarting from the day's events, hissed, raised his frame and stood on his two legs, stretched and gnashed his teeth. His hands and feet were clumsy. He kicked the air with his legs and snapped his ten fingers individually with measured strength to give a soothing effect. Somehow, he pushed the ikoko episode behind him and made to go out visiting Iyobo. But he decided to go in and take supper first. Walking briskly through the corridor, he met no one until he got to the courtyard and called out "mummy, I am farmished, I could eat a whale. There was no reply. He went it inand saw everyone eating, none talking. The mother busy picking her teeth with a broom stick. "Where is my food?" Etin demanded impatiently stepping further into the room and looked at the direction from where he normally collects his food. There was no food. He went into the kitchen, checked everywhere, nothing was reserved. In two quick strides, he was in the room again, demanding from his mother, brothers and sisters, where his food was. He stood there gazing at them and they in turn, munching away their meal, not looking up. As Etin stood rooted there, his stomach rumbled and it dawned on him that he had not taken any meal since morning when everyone went to the OdiDnwere's compound to attend the court. In the full realisation that he was very hungry, an enormous anger welled up in him making him clench his fist involuntarily. The arm's muscles moved up and down as if preparing for a wrestling bout. Without warning, he bent down, collected the remaining food and ate everything left like a wounded or provoked lion is wont to do. Nobody talked to him or even uttered a word. They simply washed their hands and went out quickly. Etin devoured the entire contents of the plates voraciously and also went out. Outside, he met his father and complained to him. His father in turn did not respond. He looked at another direction, seriously engrossed whatever he beheld. It was at this point it began to dawn on Etin that the early morning decree had began taking effect. Confused in the circumstance, he looked up and behold, Iyobo was just venturing into their veranda after the evening meal. Etin waved to Iyobo, but did not get any reply. He smiled broadly, waved and whistled by shoping his lips like a cone. Once again, Iyobo refused to acknowledge the greetings. Etin kept smiling and walking towards Iyobo who stood his ground and wore a very unfriendly look. In no time, they were standing facing each other. Etin held out his hand for a shake from his frined but Iyobo stood his ground, saying nothing. Realising that staying too close could make Etin touch him, Iyobo walked away briskly as if somebody else has called out to him, but went to nowhere in particular. Etin stood, rooted there in bewilderment, many thoughts racing through his mind: why should Iyobo join in treating me like this. How long would this continue. How would the matter end?At this point, his stronger will took over his entire thought and left the compound with one, dismissing the new unfolding drama with a wave of the hand, cursing under his breath" to hell with all of them; and took some giant steps home to go to bed early. X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X He woke up startled at a dream that he was pursuing a he-goat and a hen at the same time; the futility of it all made him very annoyed and shook his head vigorously to become fully awake. He wondered why he had to dream about a goat and a hen when it was just yesterday the community seized the animals to appease the gods and the ancestors. Etin stood up and threw a shirt on. In the process, he discovered he had a stiff neck because he did not place his head on the grass pillow very well before going to sleep. He placed his right hand below his chin, held his head with the left and pushed.