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ORIGIN - Chapter Nineteen
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2024-10-29 19:42:56The journey from Umuolu to Umuoku was a tough one for Echi’s young children, who he had purposely left. They were lucky enough to hide in a bush when the warriors of Umunsogbu came looking for them and burnt Umuolu to the ground. If not for a bird that whistled past them, they would have been caught and driven to slavery like the rest of the children.
Ofu came back from urinating, moving like a fallen warrior. He squinted, searching around and looking for any sign that would spark a run, but there was none. There was no strange figure looming around or any warrior setting a trap for them. He stretched his hands and sat on the wrapper that was lying on the grass, with his eyes still watching for any dangerous movements. Still, there were none.
A slight cough startled him. It came from Abuo. He moved towards Abuo and covered his mouth as quickly as possible with a cupped palm to prevent him from coughing.
“Remove your hands from
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The insinuation that Echi had been killed in the war between Umuolu and Umunsogbu left a fatal blow in the young heart of Ofu. He cried because he had never expected that the messenger who brought the message of the death of Umuolu warriors was also indirectly telling him that his father was dead too. Ofu stopped crying when Ato came back in the evening with mangoes he kept inside Echi’s goatskin bag he had carried along with him before they left Umuolu.“Why did you run away?” Ofu asked as Ato dropped the goatskin bag on the grass.“I was hungry, and both of you were also hungry. We would have had aching stomach tomorrow morning if I had not taken the decision to risk my life just to bring us these mangoes,” Ato replied. His voice sounded rigid.“Did you see any warrior of Umunsogbu?” Ofu asked.“I saw only a few men just moving around. They were hunters who had come to hunt grass cutters. Nothing big to worry abou
Shading Black ORIGIN - Chapter Twenty-one
“We were lucky,” Abuo said as they leaned on a large palm-tree with long branches.“How were we lucky?” Ofu asked.“Snakes!” Abuo echoed. “We could have been bitten by large snakes in the forest.”“I doubt that. Our gods are very much alive.”“I thought so too.”Abuo picked a small stone and threw it at a lizard that darted quickly as soon as the stone touched its fragile body.“Do you miss Ato?” Ofu asked.“He had his own decisions to make. He chose to follow the hunter and leave us. Should I miss him for not taking me along?”“I knew that he would leave. I just sensed it.”“It doesn’t matter now,” Abuo said absent-mindedly.Abuo's skin was lighter tha
Shading Black ORIGIN - Chapter Twenty-two
Hours turned into days. Days rolled into weeks. Weeks formed into months, and months got covered by the pride of years. Fifty years had passed since Ofu, and his brothers got separated. He was now an old man, married with only one son whose name was Nwaka.“You were beautiful the first day I met you,” Ofu said to his wife.“Old age has taken away my beauty,” Ihuoma replied. She was Ofu’s imagination of an ideal woman, just like Olanna.“I can never forget the day I met you. The gods must have brought you to save me from dying.”“The gods must also have been reasonable enough to humble you so much in order for you to go on your knees and beg me for a little water,” Ihuoma said, laughing. It was one of those few times they sat outside under the light of the full moon to reflect on their younger days.“Your people were wick
Shading Black ORIGIN - Chapter Twenty-three
Ibekwe raised a finger, which he pointed at Ofu, who was sitting in front of his compound with Ihuoma.“Ibekwe, the son of the last prophecy,” Ofu said as he sighted Ibekwe coming from afar.“Good evening, grandfather and grandmother,” Ibekwe greeted.“How are you?” Ihuoma asked.“I am doing fine.”“Where is your father?’“He is almost here.”Nwaka walked sluggishly with his wife, Ezinne, by his side. She was as pretty as his mother, Ihuoma. The idealness of both women had often been debated by him and Ofu. They had constantly refused to accept that one was better than the other.“Good evening, father. Good evening mother,” Ezinne said.The scarf that she had tied around her head shot out as she bent to greet them.
Shading Black ORIGIN - Chapter Twenty-four
The first foreigner from Europe to visit Umuoku was a missionary from England. His name was Peter Stonefield. He was one of the few men filled with revivalism who had decided to go on a solo mission in spreading the gospel of Christ to villages that had not yet been blessed with the message of Christ.Peter gazed at the shrine of Umuoku. The home where the devil conveyed his message to his followers. He formed a quick saliva and spat on the ground. In his mind, he wished he could light a fire and get rid of the heretic symbol in front of him. As he eyed the shrine in front of him, he kept telling himself to be patient in order to avoid getting himself involved in a mistake that he would later regret.A year ago, he had made a firm decision to leave his comfort, sworn an oath of celibacy and venture into the darkness of Africa to spread the goodwill message of christ. The message of love and peace and hope for a better life after earth. His zeal had led hi
Shading Black ORIGIN - Chapter Twenty-five
The high-pitched sound of the town crier's metal stick striking the surface of the hard, rusty gong woke Ibekwe. The morning was still early, and the dew was just beginning to wet the plants and grasses that laid uncovered in their compound. Another sound from the gong, and he drew closer to the window where he saw the stoutly built town crier, beating the metal piece harmoniously. The town crier was announcing a wrestling contest that was to be held in the evening.It was almost a month now that Peter Stonefield’s body was burnt in the outskirts of Umuoku and his companion, Ada, disgraced in front of the whole village before being chased away by a pack of warriors.Ibekwe could have sworn that he had never felt anything as genuine as the gentle Igbo words that Peter used to express God’s love towards his sinful soul. A young boy damned for eternity under the torment of a cursed devil could be saved by the simple acce
Shading Black ORIGIN - Chapter Twenty-six
The elders took their positions in front of the crowd as they waited for the wrestlers to arrive. The first match of the day was between two young men who were in their mid-twenties. The men came out separately, in their own war-like style. They hit their chests with rigid bare hands and danced to the wrestling drums before clutching hands together to indicate a fair game.The first match started with a whistle, and the wrestlers locked hands immediately. They held each other firmly in the shoulders, circling and moving their muscles to the fast beats coming from the drum. They pushed and pulled for a long time until the whistle was blown again, signalling a draw match.The wrestlers went away. New palm fronds were brought to replace the old ones. The next wrestling match was among teenagers, and the favourite teen wrestler was Akagi, a seventeen-year-old bastard who had never been thrown on the ground. He held the title of best teenage wrestler in
Shading Black ORIGIN - Chapter Twenty-seven
Ofu’s old legs rocketed in platonic propulsion as he chatted with Ihuoma about their hazy past. Slowly, the wrapper tied around Ihuoma’s waist flared out, and she tightened it as she saw Nwaka, Ezinne, and Ibekwe approaching.Nwaka greeted his parents, so did Ezinne and Ibekwe. He always liked being the first to share good news with his old father, especially when it involved the triumph of his son.“Father, your grandson just won a wrestling match,” Nwaka said.Nwaka’s voice was soft and cajoling. He reached towards Ofu and jerked his shoulders softly as if that would quicken the impact of his words.“The gods be praised,” Ofu declared. “I know Ibekwe is a good wrestler even though he has avoided the sport. That is why our people say that what an old man can see sitting down, a young man cannot see even if he climbs the tallest Iroko tree. He has
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Shading Black About the Author
Chibuzor Victor Obih was born in the southern part of Nigeria. Delta State to be precise. His writing includes essays, poetry and short stories. He likes to play soccer, read, study and above all, write. He is currently a fourth year student of a renowned public university in Nigeria. The University of Port-Harcourt is where he is pursuing a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. Shading Black is his first book and his first attempt to explore the beautiful world of a novelist. To stay connected with him and his works, you can follow him on Instagram using the account name: Chibuzor Victor Obih or follow him on Facebook using the account name: Author Chibuzor Victor Obih.
Shading Black Epilogue
The room was silent. The door swung open and James came inside, holding a book. Ibekwe stared at James and sighed. They looked at each other for a while before James sat down."I got some interesting information you might want to hear," James said."Tell me," Ibekwe said. He had been feeling guilty since the death of Ifeme."The same boy who killed Osisiakalaka confessed some of the diviner's sins to me. He gave some fascinating explanations about your history that still baffles me," James said, moving his fingers. "Is the name Isiewu familiar to you?" He asked."Not really. I have only heard my grandfather mention him once and that was when he told me to story of Umuolu's war."James reasoned with compressed lips. "Isiewu played a major role in destroying your family. According to Efulefu, the diviner slept with Agunwa, the daughter of a chief priest named Egwusinala. Does these names sounds familiar to you?""I think it does," Ibekwe said.
Shading Black NEW LIFE - Chapter One hundred and three
When James Streamer and his father arrived at Osisiakalaka's shrine with some of the people of Umuise who had converted to Christianity he was shocked to find a large crowd of men and women sitting tiredly in front of the shrine. He asked a young woman to explain what was going on in the shrine and she obeyed without hesitation."A great man has fallen in Umuise," she said with tears in her eyes."Who is the man that has attracted everyone in this village to Osisiakalaka's shrine?" James asked."The man is not here. He is far away from this village.""What do you mean by that?""His body is lying in the shrine but his spirit has departed," the woman replied slowly."What is the name of the man that has caused so much tears to flow in your eyes?"The young woman turned and pointed at the door of the shrine."Osisiakalaka," she said. "Maybe you will be able to tell us why your god has sent his messenger to kill the greatest
Shading Black NEW LIFE - Chapter One hundred and two
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Ibekwe was thinking about Richard Streamer and what James had told him about his father as he approached Okoli's compound. He brushed the thoughts aside as he remembered that him and Ifeme were yet to bury Okoli. Now, that Ezeugo, Okwudili and Okoli were gone, it was the duty for the next of kin to inherit all their properties while ensuring they had normal burials. Ezeugo's body was almost rotten by now in his compound. Okwudili's body was wrapped with cloth and still left unburied. Okoli on the other hand was in the village square with his head uprooted from his neck. He was beheaded after being found guilty by Osisiakalaka.Ibekwe wondered how Ifeme would deal with the whole family situation as he passed a cherry tree. He had already decided to help him in the best way he could and James and his sister had also offered to help him too.He stopped when he reached Okoli's compound and took a deep breath.As he entered Okoli's hut, he looked through the du
Shading Black NEW LIFE - Chapter One hundred
Osisiakalaka came to Umuise as soon as he was able to leave Umudike. By his side were Efulefu and the young lad that was sent to deliver him the message of the elders. As he reached the village square, he drew two straight lines on the ground with a chalk and stepped on it. He gave the chalk to Efulefu who broke it and threw it in the direction of Okoli."May the gods be praised," Osisiakalaka yelled. "Let those who stand with evil fall. Let the men who invite the bringer of evil into their midst perish."As soon as Osisiakalaka was done, Okoli picked the chalk from the ground and started chewing slowly. In Umuise, it was a law for an accused person to chew the white chalk before spitting on the ground. It was a way of acknowledging the presence of the gods.Osisiakalaka ordered Efulefu to bring some sand after Okoli was done with chewing and spitting the white chalk. He took the sand from Efulefu and pou
Shading Black NEW LIFE - Chapter Ninety-nine
When the first palm wine entered Okoli's throat, it dawned on him that his death was near and there was nothing anyone could do about it including himself.Outside the window of his small hut, a full moon had risen, dazzling and vivid, blotting out all other celestial bodies. Okoli gazed at his two sons that he had condemned, lost in his thoughts of all that had happened in the village square.He knew that he didn't deserve the love and comfort that his sons were showing him and he felt bad for not appreciating their efforts even when they tried their best to be the perfect children that a parent could have.As Ibekwe and Ifeme left him for the white man's hut, Okoli thought of what was going to happen to him when Osisiakalaka finally decides his fate. Would he be killed? Would he be thrown into the forest? Would he be banished?Outside the window of his hut, a pair of stars were dancing, lifting their voices and slowly making it to fade away. Some moment
Shading Black NEW LIFE - Chapter Ninety-eight
Okwudili's body was brought to the village square a day after he was murdered in his compound by a masked man. By his side, was the lifeless body of Akwaudo. She was found dead in Okoli's compound the same night that Okwudili's life came to an end.Life means considerably more than just waking up in the morning and going through the motions of living in Umuise and for the first time in nearly a century, two people who were related to each other were brutally assassinated in the same night. A year after the death of a man whose passage into his ancestral abode was yet to be considered fair and devoid from foul play.It did not take up to a week after the shock of the two deaths had been accepted and managed before words started running from one end of the village to another, each bearing a tale with Okoli as the subject. It was difficult for any irrational man in their time to deny his involvements in the death of his wife and brother."Let us reason like one ent
Shading Black NEW LIFE - Chapter Ninety-seven
The sad day was friday for a man who feared he had lost his children even though he hadn't. Rain fell slowly and the town was calm as the water poured over the roofs. It was a lively evening and everywhere was dazzling as fathers who had returned from work came together to celebrate the last day of labour for the week by having special dinners in quality restaurants with their children but that was not the case of the man who had not been able to sleep well since the day he heard his son was gone— taken away from him and sailing without his permission to Africa.Richard Streamer sat at the Billy Landy bar, remembering the night he had told Kathleen he was going to Africa. It was almost two weeks now and he was still in England sharing a bottle of beer with some couple of friends, and each of them bragging about their personal achievements as they ordered more drinks.He took a rumpled letter from his pocket. He had planned to send the letter to his
