LOST IN THE EUPHORIA…

St. Charles Catholic Church building Emene is specious enough that three parishes can hold a unity mass without the congregation noticing the disturbance of heat or suffocation. The building which was erected by almost four priests in succession of each other was approved by the bishop of the dioceses to be built under Rev. Fr. Fred, who was the parish priest in 2005, and was completed after some years and dedicated when Fr. Robert became the parish priest later around 2010. It was under this administration that the wedding took place. Even though it was tough; the process and procedures that herald Christian marriage; the marriage course, and the calling of bans of marriage. But on the 10th of November 2011, I was at the altar with Mr. Ken Onwuma, faced by the congregation who felt at last am getting married. My parents Chief. Mr. And Mrs. Cornelius Mbam were also excited that their happiness is now complete, as in no distance time, they will hear the cry and behold their grandchild. Which parents will not be proud to be addressed as a grandfather or mother? “I Ken Onwuma have taken you, Angelina Mbam to be my wife, I promise to love and protect you all the days of your life till death do us part”. And in the same lines, as read to us by the priest, I took the vow and oath to be his wife and take him as my lawfully wedded husband till death do us part. Joining us in the joyous procession out of the church after the mass, the St. Cecelia Choir, sang the popular wedding song, ‘Bless them Oh Lord, keep them together’, which everyone danced to as we headed outside to take pictures. The reception which was held in the same venue as the church, but on its podium erected on one side of the large compound was second to none. The eating and drinking took a level that the community members never expected. And after that, we proceeded to my father’s compound in the village where the traditional marriage rite was completed. From the cutting of the gate which is adorned and made special by the different outings of the Ashebi (I shall be) ladies, to the greeting of the guest and in-laws by my parents with cola nut, and me welcoming the people with powder and selling of eggs, which symbolizes distribution of marriage blessing to all. And then, I finally searched for Ken and found him; a tradition which makes a lady search and shows who is her husband to the people to make sure is the one they expect. I took him to my father for the final blessing. “May the gods of our land protect your marriage and home, may no third-party bring confusion amongst you, and you both will bless the world with both male and female in conformation to God’s wish”. In one voice everyone in the occasion responded; Iseeee‼ The music continued as we danced and danced till our body was too heavy for our legs to carry. Other activities which took place that night included the handover of some properties to me by my mother which is traditionally called ‘Idu be ji’ (Leading to the husband). The Ayayo song and dance which is a ritual that is performed by the ladies of my age, who officially sends me off to my husband’s house with songs and dance, and the final leading to my husband’s house by some selected ladies, mostly from the Ashebi.

Other things that took place at night after we had gone to bed are what all of us must have known.