THE HELPLESS GIRL
There was a faraway stream Five kilometers away from home in our village. Every neighborhood goes there, In search of drinkable water. I could remember my mother telling me to let go and fetch water from the River. I was five years old, With little knowledge of my mother’s plan. The sound of my mother’s […]
Of days past
They say that a butterfly flapping its wings in the Amazon causes a tornado elsewhere. What happens if the tornado comes back to the Amazon. Ideas move mountains and intention fuels them like a secret sauce. Jewels are jewels because we place importance to them and she was a jewel nonetheless because of an aura […]
Scars
I knelt before her. Fear still clung her heart and she shrunk in despair. I had watched as she avoided my eyes everyday. A silent murmur of greeting and she disappeared again. I took a closer look and I saw how she leaped. She walked like her leg was shortened. I gave her a wry […]
BECOMING.
It was late in the evening, the day before D-day. In Aranatama, the sixth month was one of great celebration. All girls aged fourteen gathered to celebrate their rite of passage to womanhood. Many girls gathered but few women emerged. The criteria for judging were vague, but I had always looked forward to D-Day. My […]
Neraya
“Neraya, wake up!” Mrs. Oloibon whispered. Neraya did not move a muscle. Her mind was a recipe for disaster. Fear engulfed her whole being. “Neraya, if you do not..”, Mrs. Oloibon shouted sternly. Before she had even finished her statement, Neraya jumped out of the old spring bed. Her mother swiftly reached out for her […]
Not My Child
“Not my child!” she shouted after listening to her relative talk about the rite of passage. Chinweamara is a 32-year-old widow, who lived in the village of Amobia with her 7-year-old daughter. She lost her husband to a ghastly car accident 7 months ago. They had just concluded her husband’s burial ceremony. She was observing […]
WOMANHOOD
Once upon a time there was a great king called king Oga in Wotu kingdom.This king was brave ,bold and strict that makes his people follows all his instructions especially women.Women were not having voice and chance to make decision in Wotu kingdom.This kingdom was full of customs and tradition. It was a lovely kingdom […]
FGM: CULTURE OR MISOGYNY?
Ola was raised by her grandparents and she was especially her grandma’s favourite. Nana was always there to answer whatever curious questions her young inquisitive mind conjured up to ask BUT one. “Mama, what happened to my twin sister?” Grandma’s face would cloud over and one day, she conceded to tell Ola everything when she […]
What’s it Worth?
Uncle Gani opened the diary of his late niece… Dear Diary, I write to keep this date, THE DAY I BECAME A WOMAN. I am in pain and I have been bleeding for days, since I and uncle came to see my Grandma. We arrived at our village some days back. I was so happy […]
LET IT END WITH ME
I use to think that being sweet sixteen was the best feeling for a girl,with my hair to beautify,my nails to polish and my dresses to be beautifully made by grandma. Reality dawned on me when at a young age I was subjected to suffering and complications mirrored by the same society which is to […]