The Calabash of Our Fathers

Have you been to African countries before especially to the eastern part of Nigeria or the western part of Nigeria where culture and traditions are highly respected? Before colonisation in Africa particularly in Nigeria, our fathers were using calabash to drink water, palm wine, and anything drinkable.

Some years ago in Araka village, which is full of baobab trees older than most people in the village. Tradition is something that is practiced daily in the village, not only in festivals.

The people believe so much in tradition. In the village, every new moon that comes out is being celebrated, and whenever there's a new moon the elders will gather themselves under the great tree at the market square.

The elders would bring out the calabash the most sacred calabash carved from wood so old that nobody could remember when it was first made.

The old calabash is called the calabash of our fathers. Inside the calabash, there is no gold, money, or even jewels but they cherish it so much. They believe there is a story behind the calabash.

Before marriage, farming season, and naming ceremony, the elders in the village would pour out a little of palm wine on the ground only pretending to. To date, such a practice where a little palm wine is poured out from a calabash or a cup still exists.

The children in the village always watched the elders in silence. Some only pretend to. Some understood what the elders always do.

Among the children, it was only little Mirabel, a curious girl who stood up and asked several questions. She asked the elder the question she once asked her grandmother. *"Why do we pour a drink on the floor?, Can the ancestors drink it?"

Her grandmother who was at the place smiled at her and said. "It is not for their throat, my child. It is for our memory".

One day a young man whom have been away came to the village after his studies abroad and wore suits even as the weather was hot. The young man laughed at them when he saw the libation.

The young man said to them. *"These are old ways. We must move forward and progress".

The elders listened to him without argument.

To be continued.......