Disappearing African Tales

The act of tales telling is disappearing in many African Homes and so are the tales. Western civilization is gradually wiping out one of the most fascinating things we enjoyed in our youthful days of inexperience and even as we grew older. Back in the days I use to meditate on the tales I have been told and oftentimes, I wish that time stood still for me to witness them firsthand. Unfortunately, time has never stood still, but with my imagination I have oftentimes been able to turn back the hands of time just to live those moments again.

My late grandmother often says that there is no “people” without some legends, myths or folk tales, and whatever we choose to believe or call them doesn’t matter. What matters most is that the tales are passed down from generation to generation to educate and guide the people about certain occurrences, experiences and why some certain ways of life have been adopted.

My Favourite Tales

I am starting with the tale that fascinates me the most. I am not saving it for the last, and I think it’s a legend.

1. The Anunu-nkiti-ebe Tree (In Igbo dialect, ‘Anunu-nkiti-ebe’ means ‘Ordinary Birds don’t Perch’).

A long time ago, there was this legend about a certain primitive and isolated village in one of the Eastern states in Nigeria, with a dead but living mystical tree, popularly called “Anunu nkiti ebe” at the edge of the village shrine and very visible from the hills surrounding the village. The tree was dead in the sense that it had no leaves and does not grow any all through the year, it had no fruit and never grew any, it had a fixed number of strange looking branches that never falls or withers. The tree practically had no life, yet it was living; living in the sense that it never withers nor show any sign of withering, yet it mysteriously and repeatedly births some seed like nuts half the size of a golf ball, seven days after the New Year outing of their 12 feet masquerade which mystically rises from an impossible box which is about two feet high and 4 feet wide. How is all this even possible?
Despite the tree’s strange characteristics, it was also known to be the home of vultures ONLY as no other type of bird has ever been seen perched on the tree except vultures. This is where it got its name ‘Anunu-nkiti-ebe’. The tree was also believed to be the hub for witches gathering.

Image source: Drawingideas101.com

The seed like nuts falls from certain holes on the tree and holders (witch doctors) have often reported that the nuts have mystical powers capable of putting witches, wizards and evil spirits at bay. Witch doctors were always seen roaming around the tree 7 days after the masquerade’s outing in search of the seed nuts, which men without mystical powers couldn't do. Legends also have it that those who sell the nuts die mysteriously after 7days. So if you happen to get one from a witch doctor, do not buy or sell it as it is only meant to be gifted. In Africa, the vulture is not seen as an ordinary bird, but as an evil creature, especially because of its weird looks and the fact that it feeds on carcass.

Image source: Dododex.com

1. The Ogbono Tree/Fruit (Bush Mango Tree)
   Have you ever wondered why the Asaba people of Delta State, Nigeria don’t eat bush mango or prepare one of Nigerian’s most favourite delicacies called ogbono soup with the seed of the bush mango fruit? Well, the legend goes like this; the ogbono tree is just by the river bank, bending (well slant) and directly into the river. But, mysteriously, whenever the tree sheds it leaves or drops a fruit, it does not fall into the river; rather it is mystically blown to the bank of the river. Once again, how is that even possible?
   

Image source: recipeswithchetty.blogspot.com.ng and globalfoodbook.com respectively.

This made the Asaba people to forbid the fruit and then set up a shrine around the tree where people go to seek solutions from the river goddess or pay homage to her. In the past, it was a taboo to sell Ogbono in any of Asaba markets.
Just my imagination: What if the goddess or the mermaid or the gods or nature or God Almighty want the people of Asaba to have easy access to the fruit? Hahahahahahaha…Now you are thinking what I am thinking. Smiles.

1. The Anambra Snake (popularly called Eke) –The Python
   Warning! Warning! Warning!
   I do not know about now but some years back, It was a “Grave Taboo” to kill Eke (a snake perceived and HIGHLY taken to be divine) in many parts of Anambra State. Eke is a deity, a “god” and should be preserved and respected by everyone (strangers, visitors or natives) in Anambra communities where they exist. Typical examples of such communities are Okija, Ihiala and Uli.

Image source: olivernwokedi.wordpress.com

From personal encounters, Eke is a wonder. A snake specie with a glowing beautiful skin (mostly with two or more skin colours), very gentle, harmless, always seeking warm places and with this elegant crawling style. OMG! Did I just give a snake those attributes? Hell yea, I did. With my over 5 years stay and visit in Anambra state, never have I heard that someone was attacked or bitten by this snake. However, a day never passes by without me experiencing the snake myself or hearing about it.
The snake is known for first crawling into people's homes, and then into their bedrooms, after which it lies side by side with them, especially while they are fast asleep. Remember it seeks warm places and the human body is warm. It is also known for crawling into the kitchen and lying close to your cooking pot and stoves in search of warmth.
Like I earlier said, and from personal experiences, the snake is not harmful and it is very friendly even to outsiders/strangers. When you come in contact with it, unlike other snakes, it does not flee or activate its defense mechanism; rather, it elegantly crawls or glides towards you. It is a taboo to attack Eke not to mention kill it. Thus, if you are irritated by one, simply call a member of the community to come and take it away. Eke moves freely in many communities in Anambra State. They have road rights too so always be watchful when you drive and if you spot one crossing the road, give it time to cross or help it to the other side if you are in a hurry.
Legends have it that, the snake played a vital role in protecting the Anambra people and the Biafran soldiers during the Biafra war of 1967 to 1970. The tale is widely told to children and visitors of how the snakes attacked, killed and chased Nigerian soldiers out of many Anambra communities. This legend went viral which led to the personification of the snake with both human and divine characteristics in those communities.

I hope you enjoyed the tales. Thank you!